Thierry Mugler was the daring genius behind unforgettable dresses including Kim Kardashian ’s nude Met Gala gown, Beyonce ’s gold bodysuit and Diana Ross’s iconic sheer ensemble.
The stars he made sparkle have paid tribute to the designer after his shock death at 73 on Sunday evening.
On her website, singer Beyoncé posted a picture of Mugler with the message “Rest In Peace” – he designed the gold outfit for her I am... World Tour in 2009.
Alongside a picture of herself with Mugler in the sheer dress he designed, Diana Ross posted: “I will miss you Thierry Mugler – this was a wonderful time in our lives.”
Born Manfred Thierry Mugler, in 1948 in Strasbourg, France, Mugler started out as a dancer, before moving to Paris in 1966.
He launched his own label, Mugler, in 1973, creating signature looks for stars including Grace Jones.
Another one of Mugler’s early fans was David Bowie. The designer was close friends with the singer and dressed Bowie for his 1992 wedding to model Iman.
Mugler rubbed shoulders with the arty elite such as Andy Warhol.
He once said of his rise to high society: “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but fashion took off for me very quickly in Paris as soon as I showed my sketches.”
Such was his popularity that A-listers would model for his shows, actress Sharon Stone joining supermodels such as Naomi Campbell and Eva Herzigova on the catwalk.
His was an experimental and architectural approach to fashion.
He created bold silhouettes with cinched waists, exaggerated shoulders and sheer panels and cut-outs. The look made him synonymous with 80s power-dressing – but by the late 1990s he was better known for perfume thanks to his best-selling Angel fragrance.
Supermodel Jerry Hall, the face of the brand, said: “He was timeless and ahead of his time. He knew all about gender fluidity and his clothes reflected the heat and sexuality of the late 70s and early 80s.”
Although he retired from his brand in 2003, Mugler would do special designs for A-listers, such as the outfits Lady Gaga wore in the video for hit song Telephone. Celebrities such as Megan Fox and Cardi B were also seen in designs from his archives.
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In 2019 Cardi was the first solo female artist to win the Best Rap Album award at the Grammys – and did so in a vintage Mugler.
The same year Mugler returned to designing under the House of Mugler and was behind one of the Met Gala’s most eye-catching outfits – Kim Kardashian’s latex dress that appeared dripping wet.
Kim said of the creation: “This is the first time in 20 years Mr Mugler has designed for the House of Mugler, so to come and design this gown for me is such an honour.”
Mugler’s death was reportedly unexpected but due to natural causes. According to his agent, he had recently transformed his physique through bodybuilding.
He had also been using his first name Manfred and was planning to announce new collaborations this week.
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