Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Couture ThierryMugler 1990s CorsetStyle SilkLined Denim WideShoulder Power Dress

About the Item

In the 1990s, French Thierry Mugler (1948-2022) designed this haute-couture labeled and numbered corset-style topstitched zigzag-panel ecru 100%-cotton-denim cocktail dress, which is fully lined in ecru 100% silk. It suits the revolutionary glamazon power-dressing that defined his bold collections since the early 1970s, which was in sync with the women's movement that championed equal executive pay. Similar versatile day-to-evening dressing for divas by Mugler has garnered auction sales topping US$20,000 dating back to a royal-blue skirt suit in 2011. The one-of-a-kind hourglass-shaped dress is in excellent condition. The blue tag "Thierry Mugler Couture" is sewn over the slightly worn specification tag noting "Made In France" in size FR40 (US6-8). Featuring Mugler's distinct sharply exaggerated feminine proportions to bring drama to body consciousness, this double v-neck below-the-knee dress is unusually wearable given its angelic pale color and durable construction with angled panels in the shape of a corset topstitched by 18 horizontal rows. The linear cap sleeves sleekly extend the shoulder-line by inches on each side remarkably without pads, while offering glimpses of the contrasting shiny silk lining. The wide shoulders make the zigzag bust panels, multi-seamed bodice, and angular waist panels appear tightly corseted, although there is only an invisible zip and hook-and-eye fastening on the side. While a ready-to-wear designer who had branded his own collections since 1973, Mugler was one of the few to go on to launch his namesake couture brand, which he debuted in Paris in the 1990s under the auspices of the French Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Since his theatrical fashion shows quickly increased the audience for couture, Mugler became the first designer to receive an invitation to show regularly on the haute-couture calendar. From the turn-of-the-century to his death, Mugler shifted his creativity from producing clothing collections for empowered women to designing theatrical one-offs for celebrities and performers from Elizabeth Taylor to Lady Gaga, along with developing additional perfumes since his 1992 trailblazing best-seller Angel. Recently, the multidisciplinary designer's first retrospective, "Thierry Mugler: Couturissime", was exhibited at NYC's Brooklyn Museum, which had been initiated, produced and circulated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with Maison Mugler.
  • Designer:
  • Brand:
  • Dimensions:
    Marked Size: FR40 (EU)
  • Style:
    power dressing (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Material Notes:
    Topstitching of 9 horizontal rows on each angled panel structures the bust and waist into a corset shape, while shoulders are widely extended by horizontal cap sleeves without pads.
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. A shoulder measurement is irrelevant as there is no arm-seam restriction due to the horizontally extending cap sleeves, while the dress will flatter a trim waist for those accustom to sizes FR38-40, US6-8, or IT42-44.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3244218117992

More From This Seller

View All
ChristianDiorBoutiqueParis 1999 JohnGalliano CoutureSilkWoolCrepe HipAccentDress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior Haute Couture
Located in Chicago, IL
Acquired from the French flagship Christian Dior Boutique in Paris when John Galliano was its artistic director of both haute couture and ready-to-wear, he designed this hip-accentua...
Category

1990s French Sheath Dresses

Balenciaga NicolasGhesquiere SilkFlowerPrint StructuredShortSleeve BiasCut Dress
By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
Located in Chicago, IL
While at Paris-based Balenciaga in late 2007, Nicolas Ghesquiere designed this 100%-silk bias-cut paneled dress that explodes with a grey and pale-yellow flower print and features un...
Category

Early 2000s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1990s Alaia Paris Bias Cut CurvilinearSeamedButt DropWaist Draping Knit Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Chicago, IL
In the early 1990s in France, Paris-based Azzedine Alaia (1935-2017) designed this knit pullover chemise-style sleeveless lavender violet viscose dress that features bias panels in b...
Category

1990s French Chemises

OscarDeLaRenta 1975 Handpainted Silk EmpireWaist RibbonTied Blue Gown Maxi-Dress
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by U.S.-based Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) for his 1975 Resort collection, this deeply-draping two-layer empire-waist silk gown maxi dress is handpainted in a blue-cream-an...
Category

1970s American Maxi Dress

LingerieLike 1950s Ruched CrepeSilk & SemiTransparentOrganzaNetSkirt Mini Dress
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual mid-century lingerie-style black mini dress with a semi-transparent skirt that conjures a historic pinup-girl like Bettie Page is suitable as a mini dress as part of an evening ensemble. It was probably meant by its New York designer to be paired with slim cropped pants, which became popular in The States after worn by Hollywood-movie actresses Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. The A-line short dress was most likely made by the former ready-to-wear fashion company following the revolutionary debut by French Christian Dior of his couture cinched-waist-voluminous-skirt "New Look" collection, whereafter German Sonja de Lennart introduced "Capris" in 1949, and American Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953. The complex hourglass-shaped garment features a double v-neck four-seamed ruched lined bodice in a crepe silky woven fabric. Its defined gathered bust extends from the chest seams at two angles to form short dolman sleeves only in the front, while there are arm seams in back. The gathered see-through black faux-lace organza flared skirt reveals a black velvet-textured scalloped floral pattern with a net underlayer. With beige lining, the self-trim band at the waist enables the folded scalloped-lace pattern to continue to stand out on the opaque black torso. The edges of the peplum and sleeves are further cut in a scallop shape to resemble more delicate eyelash-lace trim. The brand label of the obsolete line is the only interior tag that remains. Camouflaging the midsection, the flattering dress will best suit a U.S.-size 6. It can also be worn by larger sizes with a relatively slim waist and small or large bust as there is no restriction at the hips or wide armholes. At the waistline, a hook and looped cord fasten over the bypass zipper to better conceal it. Notably, the steel-tab-and-teeth zipper is an original U.S-made Murlen model, which was used in new clothes from the 1940s to 1960s and helps to date the mid-century dress.
Category

1950s American Mini Dress

JohnGalliano 1stYearChristianDior SilkChiffon BiasCut Layered BallerinaDressGown
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Chicago, IL
During John Galliano's first year as French fashion-house Christian Dior Creative Director in Paris for haute couture and ready-to-wear in 1997, he designed for his Spring/Summer 199...
Category

1990s French Ballerina Dresses

You May Also Like

Christian Dior by John Galliano taupe open-knit dress, ss 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior taupe open-knit dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Spring-Summer 2001 ▪ Double-layered ▪ Multiple shoulder straps ▪ Figure-hugging fit ▪ Deep v neckline ▪ Asymm...
Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Christian Dior by John Galliano grey checked nylon sheath dress, ss 2000
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior grey checked nylon sheath dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Spring-Summer 2000 ▪ Stretch nylon/elastane blend with a grey Prince of Wales checked print ▪ Cap slee...
Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Junya Watanabe floral cotton dress with harness straps and backpack, ss 2003
By Junya Watanabe
Located in London, GB
▪ Junya Watanabe cotton dress ▪ All-over floral pattern with pale blue background ▪ Puff sleeves ▪ Adjustable white harness straps ▪ Detachable backpack ▪ Double layered skirt ▪...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses

Versace Collection green dress
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versace Collection green dress totally made in italy in size s total lenght 70 cm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses

Versace Collection green dress
$517 Sale Price
20% Off
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN green silk PLATOS ATLANTIS PRAYING MANTIS GOWN Dress L
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
Alexander McQueen 'Praying Mantis' empire down in green silk (100%) with a round neck and is sleeveless. This collector piece is from the SS 2010 Platos Atlantis collection. Flares f...
Category

2010s Unknown Cocktail Dresses

Alexander McQueen lilac wool button-up sweater dress, fw 1996
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
▪ Alexander McQueen lilac wool sweater dress ▪ Turtleneck ▪ Opening across bust line fastening with multiple buttons ▪ Pleated seam at centre-back ▪ Worn ...
Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Recently Viewed

View All