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.
Iconic Thierry Mugler Earrings Rare FW 1992 Red Star GLAMOUR
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Holy Grail - extremely Rare Thierry Mugler earrings, FW 1992 GLAMOUR PUNK-THE RITZ Collection. These earrings are a true beauty of the Designer’s visionary aesthetic. At first glance...
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Black Crystal Dangle Earrings
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage gun patina dangle earrings (clip-on) embellished with black crystals. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 4.2 cm (1.65 inches) / max. ...
Rare Thierry Mugler Earrings Gold Metal Celestial Leaves
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
A Thierry Mugler treasure. Extremely rare dangling clip-on earrings. A dazzling embodiment of bold sophistication and organic elegance. Featuring a sculptural gold-tone design, they ...
Art Deco Sterling Crystal Paste Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Art Deco Sterling Crystal Paste Drop Earrings with screw back fittings. Lead crystal square and baguette stones are linked in a flexible Deco ...
Sterling Silver
Citrine Gold Plated Sterling Silver Drop Earrings
Located in Oslo, 03
7x9mm faceted oval cut citrine set in gold plated sterling silver and placed in gold plated sterling silver earwires. ✦Gemstone: citrine ✦Stone Cut: faceted oval cut ✦Stone Size:...
Citrine, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Hubert Harmon Winged Star Earrings
By Hubert Harmon
Located in New York, NY
Hubert Harmon winged star drop earrings, designed to be worn over the ear. The repousse wing sprouts from the top of your ear while the star pendants dangle below. Rare to find work...
Brass
18 Karat Gold Rodney Rayner Diamond "Truffle" Collection Earrings
By Rodney Rayner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rodney Rayner, creation of diamonds and rose gold from the "Ruffle Colection". This, pieces carries all the proper hallmarks to insure that it is genuine Rodney Rayner, 18K Rose Gold...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Unusual Parcel Gilt Sterling Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and interesting parcel gilt sterling earrings from the 1980's. Formed of stamped sterling sheet to look like rubber flooring. The sterling is then plated gunmetal and gold an...
Sterling Silver
Diamond Gold Drop or Dangle Earrings
By Prince Diamond
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Earrings featuring: 18k white gold 0.60 total cts. weights metal weights: 3.6 grams diamond shape: rounds diamond counts: 188 diamond clarity : SI1 diamond color: G+...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Rodney Rayner Citrine and Diamond Dangle Earrings
By Rodney Rayner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rodney Rayner 18K rose gold Stone: Citrine Diamond brown 4.00 cts shape: round brilliant color fancy brown Clarity:" VVS1 to VVS2 diamond white 0.50 cts shape: round brilliant color...
Citrine, Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$637Sale Price / item
H 0.36 in W 0.28 in
14K Gold Oval Shaped Gemstone 9x7 mm Earrings Dangle Earrings Gemstone Options
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Dangle Earrings in 14K White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold. Gemstone option : Garnet / Amethyst / Citrine / Swiss blue topaz / London blue topaz / Peridot Lightweight and gorgeous, t...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Whi...
$6,300 / item
Pearl Diamond 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These pearl earrings are thoughtfully and meticulously crafted in 18 Karat yellow gold. It is set with 64.36 carats pearl and .37 carats of sparkling diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEW...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Contemporary 3.97ct Peridot & White Topaz Dangle Earrings in Silver
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Dangle Earrings These earrings have 3.97 Carats of Natural Peridot and White Topaz They are beautifully curated in 925 Silver. They are 2 inches long.
Peridot, Topaz, Silver
Rare Colors - Fancy Yellow Diamond Flower Earrings
By Rare Colors
Located in New York, NY
5.75 carats total diamonds Fancy Yellow Diamonds VS-VVS Clarity 22 Yellow Diamond Pear Shapes Handcrafted in 18k Yellow Gold At Rare Colors, you can experience the elegance of our ...
Yellow Diamond
Chocolate Diamond Hoop Earrings
By Jeri Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Round Diamond Hoop Earrings set with 3.02 Carats of Chocolate Diamonds that Swing! Set in 18 k Rose Gold Light as a Feather
Diamond, 18k Gold
THIERRY MUGLER Vintage Crystal Dangling Earrings
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage silver tone and clear crystal dangling earrings. Embossed TM. Indicative measurements : height approx. 8.7 cm (3.43 inches) / m...
Thierry Mugler Vintage Crystal Prisms Dangling Earrings
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Nice, FR
THIERRY MUGLER vintage dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring clear glass crystal prism drops in a gold toned setting simulating minerals. Embossed THIERRY MUGLER. Indicative measur...