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.
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Thierry Mugler Angel Etoile Collection Factice with Box
By Thierry Mugler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Thierry Mugler 2.6 fluid ounce “Etoile Collection” Eau de Parfum factice-dummy in mint condition. This piece comes in the factory box with molded stand. The piece has color...
Glass, Plastic
$1,750
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 2.75 in
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Structure No. 222 occupies a quietly pivotal place within Jim Rose’s legacy, embodying his ability to extract meaning from the margins of his own making process. Created from found s...
Steel
18th-19th Century Italian Wood Carved Angel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely angel, his right hand extended as if to touch something or hold something. He appears very calm and peaceful, clothed in a partial shroud which is draped over his shoulder...
Wood
Australian Aboriginal Carved Ancestor Figure with Ochre Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hand-carved wood ancestor figure with surface pictorial carving showing kangaroo hunting and decorated with black and red paint and white and yellow ocher pigment. The figure slightly leans forward as made. The piece was carved by aboriginal artist...
Wood
$1,500
H 6.25 in W 7 in D 3.75 in
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Structure No. 246 (2022) represents a late and quietly eloquent strand of Jim Rose’s legacy, one rooted in attentiveness to process and the expressive potential of remnants. Made from repurposed painted steel scraps generated during the construction of his quilt cabinets...
Steel
Pair of 1950s Carved Horns with Dragon Motif on Wood Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of 1950s carved horns with dragon motif on wood base. They are a definite statement piece.
Horn, Wood
Putto with Dolphin Sculpture
By Raffaello Romanelli
Located in Milan, IT
This is a reproduction of Andrea del Verrocchio's famous bronze sculpture, Putto with Dolphin from 1470, which is now housed in Florence's Palazzo V...
Bronze
$2,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.87 in Dm 9.06 in
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Wood
Train on Track with Smoke by Brutalist Artist Chet Blacketer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful and Heavily Patinated, very large example of Brutalist - a train on a track. The entire piece is a solid unit, very stable and also quite heavy. In the manner of Jere, ...
Iron
Classic Antique Black Forest Carved Bracket with Stag’s Head
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique black forest hand-carved stag’s mounted on the support with an oak leaf surround. With a shaped top shelf with canted corners. Excellent detailing ...
Wood
German Carved Wooden Figure of Shepherdess with a Sheep
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden figurine of an adorable girl - shepherdess with a sheep. Dimensions: Height 35.5 cm / in, width 13 cm / in, ...
Wood
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 24.5 in W 25 in D 14 in
Pair of Oriental Puppet Dolls with Original Silk Costumes
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality pair of 20th century Oriental puppet dolls with original costumes. These decorative Oriental puppets are framed in Lucite making the...
Cotton, Silk, Lucite, Wood
$1,400
H 21.26 in W 10.24 in D 11.82 in
Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Ceramic, Clay
Factice Allien, Thierry Mugler
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Beaune, FR
Dummy of the ALIEN perfume by Thierry MUGLER. Contains water inside. He's in perfect condition. Dimensions Height 31cm Width 16cm Depth 10cm
Glass
Vintage 1980s Thierry Mugler Asymmetrical Tailored Striped Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very chic and architectural stripe wool jacket very much in the iconic styling of Thierry Mugler. From a very upscale Palm Springs Country club Estate.
Vintage 1980s Thierry Mugler Sculptured Suit in Bright Blue
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Iconic Thierry Mugler. This amazing, architectural suit from the 1980s is made of Bright blue/purple fine worsted wool. Zip front jacket with artist seams Mr. Mugler was known for an...