Thierry Muglers strong vision involves the concept of modernity rather than trying for a style that is solely futuristic.
With a reputation for going on instinct, he is known for producing clothes with a simple form and striking look.
His creations add defined shape, simplicity, volume and form to the wearer.
Mugler was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948. His first attempt at fashion came when he made an outfit for a girlfriend when he was just 14.
Early on he was a member of a ballet company and moved to Paris when he was 19. Aged 20 he was working as a window dresser in a Parisian shop called Gudule.
By 1970 he was working as a freelance designer and showed his first collection for women in 1971, having been joined by Azzedine Alaia who worked with him on his designs until the late 1970s.
Progress was rapid and in 1972 he was working as a designer on Italian ready-to-wear clothing for the company Moonlighting.
His own label partnership with Alain Cardeuc appeared in 1973 and three years later he developed a collection of Atric gold gathered boots.
Punk was influential at the time and a collection in 1977 had something of a street feel. By 1978 he was producing broad shouldered suits made of gabardine and leather, and his line for men arrived in 1979.
Into the 1980s, and in 1984 he marked ten years of his own house and in 1985 was behind the costumes for the Musical "Emilie Jolie".
He is credited with creating the new age man look in 1989, and the theme was relaxed with a feel of "dont try too hard to impress". At this time his womens wear featured a bright green Lycra bat-wing dress with Perspex wedge shoes.
At the turn of the decade a striking collection of dresses in acid colours was produced, and he also showed thigh-length boots, showgirl-inspired plumes and diamante bras. He even used inspiration from the shape of cars for one collection of clothes.
Also in 1990, a number of designers put outfits together based on paintings and Muglers choice was a Picasso work on an acrobat.
Then in 1992 his first perfume was released called "Angel" and two years later he launched a line featuring uneven necklines and hemlines.
Today he is among a select few French designers who own their own factory which allows him to move prototypes straight to the production floor. However, he still makes a considerable amount of his designs to order for a long list of celebrity clients. He made a breakthrough in 1998 by creating the first virtual fashion show on a computer which could be seen on the web. |
