Fashion as sculpture, as avant-garde expression, as spectacle: Thierry Mugler’s career pushed the boundaries of what fashion design and clothing could mean.
Mugler, who went by Manfred in later years, founded his brand in 1973 with his first personal collection. By the late 1990s, he was more famous for his fragrances, thanks to the brand’s best seller Angel. But vintage Mugler dresses and gowns have recently returned to red carpets, worn by stars like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Hailey Bieber.
Mugler’s penchant for performance, drama and costuming came from his background in ballet, having danced as a teenager with the Opéra national du Rhin in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. In the 1980s and ’90s, his couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, similar to those of his contemporaries Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix.
In one of Mugler’s shows, the then-pregnant legendary supermodel Pat Cleveland (part of the coterie of glamorous muses associated with designer Halston) was suspended from the ceiling and then glided down the runway surrounded by clouds of smoke.
Mugler would become known for his immaculate tailoring as well as for his increasingly avant-garde designs that featured sharp cuts, sexy and fetishistic elements, an integration of metal and uniquely treated materials like PVC and leather. Recent years have seen Mugler’s archival designs, especially from his 1995 haute couture show, take center stage, coinciding with the resurgence of camp in fashion and the return of bodycon dresses.
The French cosmetics company Clarins SA acquired Mugler’s brand in 1997, and its founder stepped back from the label in 2002. The house’s roster of clients has included some of the most visionary figures in fashion, from David Bowie and Diana Ross to Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and the founder’s influence on over-the-top fashion can be seen in the work of designers such as Jeremy Scott and Alexander McQueen.
Find vintage Thierry Mugler corset tops, suits, sunglasses and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Thierry Mugler SS 1986 Dramatic Sculptural Black Suede Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A fitted waist, plunging décolletage and sculptural shoulders give this Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer 1986 suede leather jacket its unmistakable sense of drama. The silhouette is pure...
Iconic Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES 1988/89 BLACK Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The famous jacket from the Thierry Mugler LES INFERNALES (She Devils) Collection FW 1988/ 1989. Thierry Mugler’s 1988...
Thierry Mugler SS 1989 Les Atlantes Jacket Black Dramatic Sculptural Archive
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Fabulous black Thierry Mugler Jacket, Spring Summer 1989 Collection Stunning and super dramatic sculptural jacket from Thierry Mugler's iconic LES ATLANTES Collection 1989. A rare Collectors piece and example of the Designer Legend's iconic signature looks: Phenomenal tailoring, extraordinairy shapes and a beautiful feminine sculptural silhouette. Asymmetrical pointy high collar, fin-like shaped details on the sleeves and a silver metal detail at the waist. Deep sexy V-Neck and closes with one press button at the waist. LES ATLANTES "The Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer 1989 show, entitled 'Les Atlantes,' took place at Paris Fashion Week. Inspired by the deep seas, a group of models in jumpsuits with fish gills on the hips emerged as futuristic sea creatures. Jacket necklines were cut in the shape of waves, fins were attached to sleeves, and peplum waists were made from transparent plastic. A swimwear section rendered in silver, shades of blue, and water print, was complete with fish gill detailing and fin-shaped bracelets. Sleeves of dresses came attached to the bodice, whilst pulling down hems revealed jagged pockets reminiscent of shark teeth...
Thierry Mugler 1996 Les Amazones Sculptural Black Crystal Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
This gorgeous FW 1996 Thierry Mugler jacket is a striking example of bold, feminine tailoring. With its sculpted silhouette, flared peplum, and sharp lines it's a dream come true. Cr...
Thierry Mugler Black Sculptural Jacket FW 1988/89
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
The jacket stands like architecture rather than clothing, an unmistakable signature of Thierry Mugler at the height of his sculptural imagination. Cut in deep, beautiful black, the p...
Thierry Mugler 1989 Dramatic Sculptural Avant- Garde Jacket Top
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A vision legendary Thierry Mugler at his most exacting, this 1989 sculptural jacket turns tailoring into architecture. Cut in black cotton fabric with a subtle woven grid, the piece ...
F/W 1989 Thierry Mugler Black Leather Suede Sculptural Jacket Les Infernales
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
An extraordinary Thierry Mugler jacket from the Fall/Winter Les Infernales 1989 collection, with a variation showcased on the runway in yellow. Crafted from 100% black genuine leath...
Thierry Mugler x H&M Black Leather Cropped Jacket with Scarf - 2023
By Thierry Mugler
Located in London, GB
Thierry Mugler x H&M Black Leather Cropped Jacket with Scarf, 2023 This Thierry Mugler x H&M black leather cropped jacket with built-in scarf (2023) is a rare and collectible piece from the global capsule collection designed under Casey Cadwallader. Referencing Mugler’s legendary 1990s leather tailoring, this collaboration jacket reinterprets archival Mugler silhouettes in soft chrome-free leather, balancing sculptural form with modern wearability. Featuring a built-in wide scarf, hourglass waist shaping, logo-engraved buttons, and a diagonal front zipper with concealed snap, the jacket embodies Mugler’s iconic power-dressing aesthetic. Fully lined in cupro, this piece captures the spirit of archival Mugler tailoring in a limited-edition designer collaboration. DETAILS Designer: Thierry Mugler x H&M (Casey Cadwallader for Mugler) Collection Reference: Mugler H&M Capsule Collection, Spring 2023 Material: Shell: 100% Chrome-free Leather; Lining: 100% Cupro Colour: Black Silhouette: Cropped jacket with built-in scarf; sculptural hourglass waist Marked Size: EU Small / US Small Condition: Unworn condition - press sample MEASUREMENTS (LAID FLAT & closed and at rest unless otherwise noted) Bust(across underarm to underarm): 44 cm / 17.3 in ( to fit bust 88cm /34.6 inc) Shoulder to Hem: 47 cm / 18.5 in (at front - shortest measurement) 57 cm / 22.4 in (at back - longest measurement) Waist (across): 38 cm / 14.9 in (to fit waist 76cm / 29.9 in) Sleeve length: 60 cm / 23.6 in Width of attached leather scarf: 32 cm /. 12.5 in Length of attached leather scarf: 130 cm / 51.1 in PROVENANCE & STYLE NOTES This jacket recalls archival Thierry Mugler leather...
Chic Black Tailored Thierry Mugler 2000's Lambskin Leather Box Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Sheffield, GB
An Exquisite Black Lamb skin leather jacket by THIERRY MUGLER. Circa 2000. The jacket crafted from a butter-soft black lamb skin features a tailored silhouette, long sleeves, square ...
S/S 1989 Thierry Mugler Les Atlantes Black Sculptural Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
Spring Summer 1989 “Les Atlantes” Thierry Mugler black jacket featuring sculptural “fin” sleeves that flare subtly at the cuffs creating an architectural look. Its sharply pointed he...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Architectural Asymmetric Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage black architectural asymmetric jacket A quintessential expression of Thierry Mugler's iconic design language, this vintage jacket showcases the designer's fas...
Black wool boléro jacket THIERRY MUGLER
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black wool boléro jacket. Rayon or acetate lining. Raglan sleeve. Shoulder pad. Snap closure on the middle front. Front lenght: 38cm Back lenght : 46cm SIZE 44 (Fr) L
