Fashion as sculpture, as avant-garde expression, as spectacle: Thierry Mugler’s career pushed the boundaries of what fashion design and clothing could mean. In the 1980s and ’90s, the late French designer's couture shows were theatrical and futuristic, similar to those of his contemporaries Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix.
Mugler (1948–2022), 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, costuming and innovative shows came from his background in ballet, having danced as a teenager with the Opéra national du Rhin in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. 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 couture clothing on 1stDibs.
Thierry Mugler cuff bracelet
By Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
THIERRY MUGLER - Beaten golden bronze cuff bracelet with a wide lapel and a back opening. A Collection circa 1980, under the artistic direction of Thierry Mugler. Condition: Good co...
Gilt Metal
Shield Cuff Solid Silver
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
Fluid and bold solid Silver cuff. Pairs with Shield Ring. Also available in Yellow Gold and White and Rose Gold by special order.
Sterling Silver
18 Karat Rose Gold Diameter Diamond Flower Bangle 0.39 Carat Total
By Lili Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
18KT rose gold 2 1/4 inch diameter diamond flower bangle. .1 LILY CUT ® flower shape diamond H color VS SI clarity 0.18cts . additional 0.19 ct round diamond accent . solid gold 8...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Baume & Mercier 14K Yellow Gold Cuff Watch, Art Deco, 1960s
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage Baume & Mercier women's wristwatch crafted in solid 14K yellow gold. This elegant timepiece features a classic white dial and is Swiss-made with a top-of-the-line mechani...
14k Gold
Platinum and Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Horse Head Cuff Bracelet
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A perfect gift for all hose lovers. This bracelet is a Beautiful design masterfully sculpted from platinum and rhodium plated sterling silver and natural stingray leather. The horse ...
Zircon, Topaz, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
$155,550
W 1.75 in Dm 0.188 in L 6.125 in
18K Yellow Gold Tahitian and South Sea Pearl Panel Bracelet with Diamond Accents
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Lustrous pearls of purple, gray, white, and yellow glimmer soft undertones are the unique accent to this panel bracelet. Scatters of glinting white light are emitted from the single ...
Diamond, Black Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Ye...
Halo Cuff in 18k Yellow Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
18k Yellow Gold Halo Cuff features three rows of solid yellow gold that seem to float above the wrist with an opening on the bottom to slide onto the wrist. Wrist size is S-M 18k Ye...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Four Row Floating Ball Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
The reflective warmth of 18k yellow gold is the keynote of this cuff bracelet. Orbs of the metal are on coordinating wires of short and long rows. Some of the orbs are strung vertica...
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
18KT WG 12.00Ct. Black and 9.12 Ct. White Diamond Cuff Bracelet
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
Black and white diamond pavé open-scroll motif cuff bracelet. Set in 18-karat white gold, the white diamonds are set in a scroll pattern which overlay the black diamond ovals. The cu...
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$57,750
W 1.25 in L 7 in
Sutra 18KT WG Mesh Bracelet 33.54Ct Blue Saph 21.80Ct Pink Saph 8.68Ct Diamond
By Sutra Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent 18 karat white gold mesh cuff bracelet by Sutra. This incredible bracelet is set with 33.54 carats of oval blue sapphires and 21.80 carats of oval pink sapphires. Round brilliant diamonds 8.68 carats join the colored stones in this flexible mesh cuff bracelet. The bracelet measures 1.25" in width and 7" in length. Stamped Sutra 18K
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cellini 18kt White Gold and Diamond 4.90Ct. Lace Cuff Bracelet
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
Cellini Jewelers lovely 18 karat white gold and diamond cuff bracelet. The very understated and elegant cuff is designed with a ma...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pinstripe Strength Diamond Bangle - Half way all pave diamonds gold pinstripes
By Ri Noor
Located in Houston, TX
Highly polished 14k yellow gold with hand-set Brilliant Cut diamonds set in a pinstripe pattern define this bold and glamorous knife edge bracelet....
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rhodium Reversible Diamond Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This is S.Georgios designer reversible bangle bracelet all hand made in Greece from 18 Karat yellow gold. The bracelet is microscopically decorated with granulation work in Byzantine...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium