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 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 (1948-2022), 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 SellerView All
  • S/S1999 Galliano ChristianDiorBoutiqueParis 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

  • 1980s BergdorfGoodman Costa Corseted Strapless Quintessential Little Black Dress
    By Victor Costa, Bergdorf Goodman
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s was made for the high standards of New York's trendsetting Bergdorf Goodman when it was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from this Texas designer and subsequently to give him a namesake in-store boutique. He soon became associated with the feminine glamorous gowns worn by "PYT" (Costa-speak for pretty young things) on the Dallas-based television-series "Dynasty", which idealized a status-conscious Texas woman mostly via fashion. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline (spared from '80s shoulder pads!), narrow sinuous folds of crepe silk-blend jersey cross diagonally below the decollete, while contrasting vertical ruching defines the seven bones of the invisible corset structure that is fully lined on the interior. Under the bust in front below the empire-like peaked high waist, the fitted tucked underlay of the cocktail dress wraps around the back to end as an overlay in front, where the opening on the left side extends to the bodice like a discreet slit. The freely hanging bias-cut overlay in front is gathered underneath each breast for a forgiving central drape that adds additional curves to make the wearer's torso underneath appear in sleek condition despite a potentially less than ideal figure. The dress closes with a concealed zipper in the center of the back, with exterior hook-and-eye fastening to narrow the waist. There is a second concealed hook-and-eye fastener at the top of the zipper. Although the only remaining tag is the Costa/Bergdorf label, it is a contemporary U.S.-size 8, which will also suit a large-busted size 6 or a svelte size 10. Now 88 years old, Victor Costa (b.1935) became widely known by the 1980s in The States for perfecting affordable luxurious gowns that could be mistaken for one-of-a-kind flamboyant designs by foreign couturiers Christian Lacroix, Arnold Scaasi, Oscar de la Renta or Valentino Garavani. Early on, the avid female sketcher...
    Category

    1980s American Cocktail Dresses

  • MartinMargiela S/S2008 PlungingVneck Bias Ruched Halter SlitDress Black Top
    By Maison Martin Margiela
    Located in Chicago, IL
    From one of the last fashion collections by legendary Belgian artist Martin Margiela, this asymmetrical plunging V-neck black jersey pullover that he designed for Spring/Summer 2008 ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • Couture 1960s PacoRabanneParis HandPainted MadeInFrance SilkChiffon Pareo Dress
    By Paco Rabanne
    Located in Chicago, IL
    In the 1960s the futurist Paris-based revolutionary haute-couture designers included Andre Courreges, Pierre Cardin and Paco Rabanne, who was the last to died in the 21st Century in ...
    Category

    1960s French Delphos Gowns

  • Balenciaga NicolasGhesquiere SilkFlowerPrint StructuredShortSleeve BiasCutDress
    By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
    Located in Chicago, IL
    While at 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 unique technic...
    Category

    Early 2000s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • 1990s JilSander BiasCut Black Sheer Linen DeepVneck LongSleeve Tunic MiniDress
    By Jil Sander
    Located in Chicago, IL
    With the finest fabric and tailoring--the base expectation for all progressive minimalist luxurious fashions designed for powerful women by German Jil Sander before the Prada-buyout ...
    Category

    1990s German Mini Dress

You May Also Like
  • ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dress
    By Azzedine Alaïa
    Located in Genève, CH
    Alaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...
    Category

    1990s Italian Mini Dress

  • ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tag
    By Alberto
    Located in Genève, CH
    This vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...
    Category

    1980s French Mini Dress

  • Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Nomad Ethnic Tribal Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Indian Dress
    By Jean Paul Gaultier
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Collector Catwalk Mesh Transparent Sheer Nomad Ethnic Tribal Indian Western Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Long Maxi Dress Extremely rare "Tatouages" dress from Jean Paul Gaultier! Museum piece! "Tim Blanks’ Top Fashion Shows of All Time Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring/Summer 1994, October 1993: BoF’s Editor-at-Large journeys back to a show that fused Indian mysticism, 18th century silhouettes...
    Category

    1990s Maxi Dresses

  • Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top Set
    By Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul Gaultier
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...
    Category

    1990s Maxi Dresses

  • ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Textured Leather Bubble Dress
    By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
    Located in Berlin, BE
    Incredible Alexander McQueen textured leather dress with the most amazing dramatic silhouette. This high-quality dress has the most incredible round silhouette - It is made from a textured leather and features a round neckline with beautiful seam-line details, large round puff...
    Category

    2010s Italian Evening Dresses

  • SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini Dress
    By Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint Laurent
    Located in Berlin, BE
    The most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...
    Category

    2010s French Mini Dress

Recently Viewed

View All