In memoriam: The most iconic looks from Thierry Mugler over the years

As any style savant can attest, the name Thierry Mugler is synonymous with unorthodox tailoring, inventive silhouettes, and avant-garde pieces—of which has cemented his status as a fashion revolutionary. His works boast a theatrical quality; a unique form of glamour that has earned him recognition amongst a bevy of established names such as Diana Ross, David Bowie, and Cardi B. Still, it’s safe to say that the admiration gleaned from the Hollywood set is merely a facet of his rich and storied legacy.

I will miss you Thierry Mugler this was a wonderful time in our lives pic.twitter.com/Z3ggaVjK2D

— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) January 24, 2022

The French designer served as a disruptive force in the early days within the fashion realm, where he made it a point to highlight a wide range of body types and gender identities on his runways. Trans models such as Teri Troye and Connie Fleming were featured in his shows, a tradition continued by his successor, Casey Cadwallader, who unveiled Mugler’s 2018 collection with the help of Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer and Pose’s Dominique Jackson.

His willingness to forego rigid notions of propriety and elitism allowed him to become a creative tour de force, with collections centred around a variety of inimitable themes. Critics were treated to a performance comprising space helmets and cadets in the ‘70s; bedeviled folk and vampires in the ‘80s; and Mugler’s interpretation of sea monsters in the year after. One thing, however, remained consistent: it was always a spectacle in every sense of the word.

Mugler took a step back from the brand in 2003, but remained a staple within the fashion sphere. For one, he emerged from retirement to design the costumes for Beyoncé’s world tour in 2009, and made waves for Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look in 2019 as well. An accomplished photographer, one of his final projects included a tome of photographs encompassing more than 150 prints from his atelier and personal collection.

 

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His passing at 73 is mourned by many, including the Vogue Singapore team. We choose to remember Mugler through a curation of his most respected and reputable couture and RTW designs; pieces that live up to his spirit of empowering others “to be bolder and dream bigger every day,” as stated by the designer’s team via Instagram. See them all, below.