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 ...
$7,300 / item
Aquamarine Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine Drop Earrings in 18K White Gold featuring Custom-Cut Pear Drops of Shimmering Aquamarine Aquamarine: 13.11cts 18k White Gold: 5.78g From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,500 / item
Lavender Quartz Waterfall Earrings in 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Ethereal Ombre Lavender Waterfall Earrings in 18k white gold, featuring ten graduating custom-cut cabochons of Lavender Quartz. Each earring displays five cabochons of lavender quartz gracefully decending in to a single trillion-cut blue-violet Iolite point. 18k White Gold Lavender Quartz : 36.65cts Iolite : 0.19cts From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection
Iolite, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Dilys' 18.68ct Amethyst Drop Summer Earrings in 18K Gold
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A pair of rich violet Amethyst drop earrings that carry the shape and symbolism of the Old World fruit, the Aubergine. In Chinese culture, it even represents good health, long life a...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White...
Ammanii Lapis Lazuli with Pearl Moon + Star Ear Jacket Earrings in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One of our top sellers! The jacket earrings are masterfully handcrafted from vermeil gold, base is sterling silver with a thicker coating of 18k yellow gold, in a satin finish. The dangling stars are sterling silver plated with black ruthenium. The stones are hand cut and had set natural Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearls and high grade Cubic Zirconia. Star studs can also be worn separately. Light weight for maximum comfort with back post lifts for support and better fit. Part of our Sa'mma -Sky Collection- Homage to the sky; the universal blanket that covers mankind and unites us all under its wings. The natural blue Lapis Lazuli earrings...
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterli...
Boulder Opal Earrings Sapphire Turquoise Infused with Brass 22k 18k Gold SS
By Jennifer Kalled
Located in Wolfeboro, NH
These audacious boulder opals dangle earrings blur the line between raw earth and refined luxury. Swirling with natural opal patterns, sapphire, and turquoise infused with brass set ...
Opal, Sapphire, Turquoise, 22k Gold, Brass, 18k Gold
Ammanii Key Earrings with Ankh Amulet in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Key earrings are masterfully handcrafted from sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in a satin finish with high grade hand set Cubic Zi...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Ammanii Vermeil Gold Drop Earrings with Freshwater Pearls and Tassels
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Part of our new collection Malikat = Queens. Inspired by the ruling females of ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertari means "Beautiful Companion"- These stunning statement earrings are an ode to her reign and the legacy to dare to set out of the box. Hand crafted vermeil gold with hand set clear zircon...
Zircon, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
Cameo earrings in 22Karat gold
By Pamela Farland
Located in New York, NY
These cameo earrings in 22-karat gold offer a playful reinterpretation of Greco-Roman cameos, nodding as well to their 19th-century revival. Carved in Sardonyx agate, the portraits o...
Agate, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
"Celestial Vine" Old Cut & Rubellite Chandelier Earrings by Dilys’
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A delicate chandelier design featuring two diverging strands per earring. Each strand is set with dangling old European cut diamonds and ends with a pear-shaped rubellite cabochon dr...
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold
Horus Earrings by Ammanii in Vermeil Gold with Long Tassels
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
We envisioned the deity son Horus honoring his mother Goddess Isis through this beautiful earring. Part of our Malikat = Queens collection- an homage to the queens of ancient Egypt. ...
Zircon, Vermeil
Boulder Opal, Emerald and Lapis Earrings
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
Gorgeous trio of custom cut Boulder Opal, sliced Emerald and Afghani Lapis Lazuli set in 18 karat gold. Handmade bezels shaped in ancient lost wax casting method. One of a kind.
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold
Ruby & Moonstone Yellow Gold 22 Karat Gold Dangle Earrings
By Pamela Farland
Located in New York, NY
Rose cut Madagscar Rubies 6.5 millimeters 2.80 carats and Sri Lanka Moonstones 15.5 x 11.5 millimeters weighing 17 carats, set in antique Roman f...
Moonstone, Ruby, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow 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...
Vintage THIERRY MUGLER Futuristic Spikes Rhinestone Dangling Hoop Earrings
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage THIERRY MUGLER Futuristic Spikes Rhinestone Dangling Hoop Earrings Measurements: Height: 2.56 inches (6.5 cm) Width: 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) Weight per Earring: 32 grams Featu...