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.
Thierry Mugler Rare Silver Metal Barbed Wire Brooch Pin
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Thierry Mugler silver tone metal barbed wire brooch. Thierry Mugler’s creations have always stood as iconic statements of bold innovation and avant-garde ...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Claw Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage gold tone claw brooch embellished with multicolored crystals. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements : max. length approx. 6.3 cm (2.48 inches) / m...
Gilt Metal
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage rare silver tone brooch embellished with blue crystals. From a French private collection. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : width approx. 7 cm (2.76 in...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Barbed Wire Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage black tone metal barbed wire brooch. Embossed TM (see on the last picture / difficult to photograph). Indicative measurements : le...
14K Yellow Gold Seed Pearl and Blue Enamel Bar Pin from 1915 Art Deco Greek Key
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
Owning this 14k yellow gold enamel bar pin with seed pearls from 1915 Art Deco is an opportunity to elevate your jewelry collection. The intricate Art Deco design features delicate e...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.83 carat diamond and pearl, 9 karat yellow gold, silver set brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive antique diamond and pearl brooch has been crafted in 9k yellow gold with a silver setting. The scroll design is ornamented with a central six claw /prong set Old European cut diamond flanked above and below by individually set pearls, held in 9k yellow gold, six claw / prong settings. The scroll designs are further embellished with eighteen Old European cut diamonds, graduating in size. The terminals at either end of the brooch are accented with a 9k yellow gold six claw / prong set pearl...
Pearl, Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 3.02ct Diamond Double Clip Brooch, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful brooch is the epitome of Art Deco style. A mix of baguette, old cut and eight cut diamonds encrust the elegantly crafted platinum metalwork to create a wonderful glitt...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 1930s 19.90 Carat Diamond Double Clip Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with a pair of Old European cut center Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 3.40 carats, Baguette cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.50...
Diamond, Platinum
Mario Buccellati Diamond & Ruby Butterfly Brooch Pin
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
Mario Buccellati Diamond & Ruby Butterfly Brooch Pin A Rare and Collectible Masterpiece Presenting a stunning and highly collectible butterfly brooch designed by the legendary Mario ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Micromosaic Cameo Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century stone cameo brooch with micromosaic dove details. Unusual to have the combination of the hand carved stone cameo with the micromosia...
14k Gold
Victorian Diamond Crescent Brooch in 14 Karat Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A staple of the Victorian jewelry, this crescent is a perfect example of gold craft from that period circa 1890-1900. The crescent is made in 14-karat yellow gold and features 7 grad...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Michael Kneebone Drusy Quartz Black Diamond Lacquer Chopstick Brooch
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A harmonious composition is created by combining Drusy quartz with black diamonds and Chinese lacquered chopsticks. Drusy quartz is found inside geodes. Various minerals create the...
Black Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold
Karl Lagerfeld Gold Gilt and Glass Handbag brooch New, Never Worn 1990s
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning 1990s Lagerfeld Green crystal Handbag brooch Measuring 1.62 x 1.06. Matching Necklace, earrings and bracelet are listed as well. This is new o...
Gilt Metal
An Art Deco Diamond Brooch By Leon Hatot
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco diamond brooch by Leon Hatot, the semi-cylindrical shaped brooch set to the centre with an octagonal-cut diamond estimated to weigh 1 .2 carats with two sets of trillion-...
Diamond, Platinum
Chanel Ruby Pate de Verre Holly Brooch, Goossens
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Attractive and unusual holly brooch by Chanel. Robert Goosens is the workshop for this handmade brooch of fluted gilt leaves, pate de verre ruby beads and...
Chanel Gilt Leaf Brooch with Pastes and Pearls, Goossens
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Striking floriform brooch completely handmade by Goossens for Chanel. Chanel's favorite fox chain is transformed into a spray of leaves centered with pastes. The texture of the chain...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Spectacular Thierry Mugler Prototype Brooch Crystal Arrow Drop
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
DAZZLING THIERRY MUGLER RUNWAY PROTOTYPE BROOCH This extraordinary unique brooch - an archival prototype created for the legendary Thierry Mugler Runway Show, a lightning strike of ...
Rare Thierry Mugler FW1986 Les Milteuses ETOILE Brooch Silver Star
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Radiating with celestial allure, this rare Thierry Mugler star brooch from the 1986 Fall/Winter collection "Les Milteuses" encapsulates the visionary grandeur synonymous with Mugler’...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Silver Tone Iconic Star Lapel Pin
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage silver tone iconic star lapel pin embellished with clear crystals. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 8.9 cm (3.50 inches) / max. wid...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Jewelled Star Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage rare stylized silver tone star brooch embellished with clear crystals and teardrops. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 1...
Thierry Mugler Blue Jewel Paved Space Age Pin Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning and rare Thierry Mugler couture pin brooch. Features a dimensional oversized infinity symbol shape with dangling charms in silvered metal framing all paved with tiny crystal...
THIERRY MUGLER Wing Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Paris, FR
THIERRY MUGLER wing brooch in silver metal. Never worn. The dimensions are: 8 x2.5 cm Delivered in his Thierry MUGLER pouch
Base Metal
C.1990 Thierry Mugler Modernist Bolo Tie Longhorn Brooch
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Atlanta, GA
French designer Thierry Mugler is a master of the innovative suit incorporating strong shoulders and wasp waist silhouettes to create a feminine elegance with a healthy dose of sex appeal. This combination of a chromed base metal longhorn brooch and black silk bolo tie with silver tips would add a modernist avant garde accessory...
Silver