Who Thierry Mugler
Since Thierry opened his first boutique in 1978. He officially shut his couture house in 2003 only to relaunch it again last year.
Why Thierry Mugler, uninspired by the lack of creativity in fashion, retired in the early 1990s, but the intense allure of Beyonce drew him back to fashion. The legend has returned.
www.thierrymugler.com
Thierry Mugler is the most obvious choice as the courtier to transform a mere supermodel or super-star into a true super-hero. So after admiring his work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute's ‘Superheroes’ show, Beyonce Knowles invited Mugler to be the creative advisor and head costumer for her fantasy-fueled "I Am…" world-tour which kicked off in Canada this March. Few designers since the time of Versailles have moulded the human form to the magnificent extremes that are the norm for Mugler.
Since she joined forces with Mugler, Knowles has sported the buster adorned with a chrome motorcycle breast-plate that Swedish super-model Emma Sjøberg wore when storming down a catwalk for George Michael's 1992 “Too Funky” video. That extreme garment and the other exaggerated outfits Mugler made for Michael exemplify his couture line’s over-heated mythic glamour.
At the zenith of his career, the French designer was a favourite of such extravagant beauties as Madonna, Jerry Hall and Diana Ross. His new muse matches these Olympian lovelies. Knowles' "I Am…" tour presents her in the guise of Sasha Fierce, who she describes as her "sensual, aggressive alter ego." Mugler describes the thesis of the 58-piece wardrobe that he made for Knowles and her ensemble as, “The duality between being a woman and a warrior” – a contrast that underscores Knowles' own relationship with the performance character that she embodies when wearing Mugler’s creations on stage.
Mugler's cyborg-chic style is personified by the shimmering beaded floor-length gown worn by Knowles for a video promoting her upcoming tour. Inspired by her luscious hourglass form, the antique corsetry and cushioned panniers further enhance her curves. The golden glittering gladiator micro-dress paired with thigh-high fishnet boots, and the sculpted copper-coloured corseted body suit with a massive bow affixed to the star's celebrated posterior is a stunning variation on the theme.
Mugler told Women's Wear Daily that he looked to Knowles' lyrics when designing her visionary garments. “Words like: 'Feminine,' 'Free,’ 'Warrior' and 'Fierce,'" formed his mission statement. "As a creative adviser for this tour," he said, "It’s my responsibility to make her vision come true.” Only a woman as commanding as Knowles could make this master of fashion into her abiding and humble servant.
Finally, last year, after an almost seven year hiatus from the world of couture, Mugler decided to reopen his business with ex-Paco Rabanne designer Rosemary Rodriguez at the helm. In the time since, there have been a number of small menswear collections and a small capsule women’s collection last summer, but he hasn’t really jumped back into the world of prêt-a-porter. Until now. Following his tenure with Beyonce, Thierry’s creative juices are once again flowing and he and Rosemary are planning to relaunch Thierry Mugler womenswear with a full show during Paris Fashion Week in October 2010. Did someone say comeback?
