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.
Rare Thierry Mugler FW 2000 Sculptural Crystal Bracelet Cuff
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Few designers have ever captured the future with the same sensual force as Thierry Mugler. This Fall/Winter 2000 HIRONDELLE SERIES cuff is a lightning bolt forged in gold tone metal ...
22 Karat Gold Handmade Link Bracelet with Brilliant Cut Diamond Charms
By Malcolm Betts
Located in London, GB
22ct gold hand made link bracelet set with brilliant cut diamond charms Handmade in Notting Hill London by renowned British jeweller Malcolm Betts. 1.10cts approximate total diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Platinum
22 Karat Gold Mycenaean-Inspired Lily Flower Link Bracelet
By Romae Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
22 Karat Yellow Gold Mycenaean-Inspired Lily Flower Link Bracelet by ROMAE Jewelry. Our incredible "Ilithyia" bracelet is inspired by a Mycenaean gold example from the area of Phaistos, in Crete, dating 1400 to 1300 BC. It is made up of small links that are supposed to recall the white lily...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$43,640 / item
W 0.24 in L 6.89 in
Alex Sepkus "Tiny" Link Bracelet with Brilliant White Diamonds in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Tiny" link bracelet. Specializing in microscopic sculpting and carving, Alex Šepkus has the ability to press perfec...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18 Karat Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Link Bracelet
By Romae Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Link Bracelet by ROMAE Jewelry. This stunning bracelet is inspired by a Minoan gold example from the area of Knossos, Crete, dating to aro...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$12,470 / item
W 0.75 in L 6.89 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat Ice White Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune bracelet handcrafted in 18 karat Ice White gold. Four brilliant white diamonds at 0.23 carat total weight. Two outer curving circ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold and Micromosaic Bracelet, circa 1860-1870
Located in Paris, FR
Gold bracelet composed of two rigid, articulated elements that form a circle. The bracelet is decorated with a central medallion featuring a micromosaic. The medallion is ringed with cannetille motifs and lines of gold that form arabesques. The quality of metalwork is reminiscent of Etruscan craftsmanship. The central medallion represents a pastoral scene with two peasants next to a fountain. The man is milking a goat while the woman is refreshing herself at the fountain. Roman ruins stand in the background. This composition was inspired by Francesco Londonio, a Milanese artist. The engravings of his paintings strongly influenced mosaic artisans during the second half of the 19th century. This piece presents several similarities with others from the Castellani jewelry...
Gold
$11,880 / item
W 0.75 in L 6.89 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat Orange Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune bracelet handcrafted in 18 karat orange gold. Four brilliant white diamonds at 0.23 carat total weight. Two outer curving circles...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Gold and Enamel Bracelet, Mid-19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Articulated bracelet in enameled gold. The bracelet is composed of five enamelled gold medallions each representing a woman wearing 18th century dress on both sides of a young man. These young people are presented in mid-eighteenth costumes on a countryside background whose design is influenced by the paintings of Pater or Boucher. The frame of the bracelet is in gold of several tones and is decorated with a floral decoration on amati gold background. Pearls connect...
Gold, Enamel
Early 19th century Micromosaic Bracelet with Scenes of Rome.
Located in Paris, FR
Gold bracelet, pearls, aventurine and micromosaics. The bracelet is decorated with seven rectangular medallions. Each medallion represents a view of a Roman monument such as the temp...
Pearl, Gold
$16,210 / item
W 0.48 in L 6.89 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Link Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat White Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune bracelet handcrafted in 18 karat Ice White gold. Sixteen brilliant white diamonds at 0.62 carat total weight. Eight oval links ar...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Peruvian Opal bracelet in 22 Karat gold
By Pamela Farland
Located in New York, NY
Peruvian Opal bead bracelet in 22 Karat gold with 22 Karat gold bead spacers and a toggle clasp. This specific type of opal is the national stone of Peru. This fairly rare opal was n...
Opal, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18k Two Tone Nugget Gold Diamond approx 1.10 ct tw Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Perry, FL
Cartier 18k Two Tone Nugget Gold Diamond approx 1.10 ct tw Bracelet. Cartier 18 kt. yellow and white gold, 30 round diamonds ap. 1.10 ct tw signed Cartier,...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold and Enamel Bracelet, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Gold and enamel bracelet. The bracelet is composed of nine symmetrical medallions decorated with foliage and stylized flowers and accented with black and white enamel. The clasp is hidden by a rectangular medallion in enameled gold that features a landscape scene of a lakeside chateau with mountains in the background. The medallion is framed with stylized leaves in black, white, and green enamel. The landscape of the bracelet portrays the Chillon chateau in Switzerland, made famous during the Romantic period with Lord Byron’s poem written in 1816, The Prisoner of Chillon. Byron, during a voyage through Switzerland, was inspired by Jean Jacques Rousseau...
Gold, Enamel
Micromosaic Bracelet, First Half of the 19th Century Work
Located in Paris, FR
Gold bracelet with six oval, micromosaic medallions set in black glass. Each micromosaic represents a different Roman edifice: Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the...
Gold
Bracelet in Gold, Enamel, and Gemstones, Mid-19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Articulated bracelet in gold and enamel, accented with colored gemstones. The bracelet is composed of eleven oval, enamel medallions, each representing a woman wearing traditional dress from different Swiss cantons. The canton for each medallion is marked on its back: Zurich, Berne, Lucerne, Uri, Schvitz, Unterv, Zug, Glaris, Fribourg, Sollure, and Basle. Each medallion is framed with cannetille gold work, colored gemstones, and enamel beading. Palmettes enhance the top and base of each medallion. Weight: 2.2 oz (62 g) Length: 7.5 in (19 cm) with clasp Medaillon: 1.3 in (3.3 cm) Conserved in its red leather case. Restauration period. Circa 1830-1840. Poids : 62 gr. L : 19 cm. avec le fermoir...
Turquoise, Gold, Enamel
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Claw Bracelet
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage gold tone bracelet featuring claw design links embellished with blue shade crystals. Hook clasp closure. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements : ...
Gilt Metal
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Claw Bracelet
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage gold tone bracelet featuring claw design links embellished with blue shade crystals. Hook clasp closure. Embossed THIERRY MUGLE...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Thierry Mugler Gold Branches with Diamante Bracelet Circa 1980s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Thierry Mugler Gold Branches With Diamante Bracelet Circa 1980s. This bracelet was created for the runway only so is a show sample and is ...
Mixed Metal
Vintage Thierry Mugler Space Age Black Chrome Bracelet
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Thierry Mugler Space Age Black Chrome Bracelet Measurements: Wearable Length: 7 inches Features: - 100% Authentic Thierry Mugler. - Black ch...
Thierry Mugler Vintage Crystal Prisms Bracelet
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage bracelet featuring large crystal prisms in a gold toned setting simulating branches. Lobster clasp closure. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements...