FASHION MEMORABILIA & TRIBUTE
By Cyriaque Griffon
Photographers (mid-90’s) © Patrice Stable, © Dominique Isserman
“I don’t believe in natural fashion. The corset. The push-up bra. Everything! Let’s go for it. If we do it, let’s do the whole number.”
Thierry Mugler (New York Times, 1994)
Style was in the air…
Extravagant in the 90s
Another pair of ultra-creative brain-controlled hands went over the rainbow and is now probably frantically designing wings for the angels. Extravagant. Flamboyant. Bold. Outrageous…When highlighting the features of such a dazzling craze that would epitomize the 90s extravagant style, the list of adjectives to describe the works of one of the European catwalk kings during that decade – i.e., the iconic French designer Thierry Mugler – would be endless. Not to mention 90s emblematic figures who modeled for him in shows combining an aesthetic mainly inspired by sci-fi. Using only their first names is way enough to opt for an impressive, classy name-dropping strategy (Kate, Linda, Naomi, Claudia, Eva…You name it!) They were transformed into otherworldly creatures and astonishing space-age vixens, spreading around them a dominatrix chic ambiance, with their broad shoulders and waist sculpted by latex, metal, and leather, shaping exaggerated silhouettes and surreal hourglass waistlines.
…and still is in the air!
Flamboyant in the late 2010s
No doubt that Mugler, when moving into the world of haute couture, has been extremely influential, like Jean-Paul Gaultier, in the way he would not only design his structural stunning style that washed away classic conservative fashion, but also in the manner he would stage theatrically bold fashion shows. Later, the visionary’s flamboyant creations would contribute to garnishing many celebrities’ wardrobes like Lady Gaga’s. Last, Mugler had also come out of retirement 5 years ago just to create the now legendary “wet dress” worn by Kim Kardashian for the 2019 Met Gala.
Too funky!
A few months before passing away, Mugler had attended the great opening of “Thierry Mugler, Couturissime”, an exhibition which was on show in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The unparalleled exhibition had offered a comprehensive retrospective of a designer who had revolutionized fashion and, unfortunately in addition, paid a posthumous homage to a designer who passed away in 2022. Last, what is another best way to remember Mugler’s gleaming work? The best for last can be saved in a simple manner… Just stay home, google “Too funky” (the unforgettable George Michael’s song)… and just enjoy the brilliant music video that Mugler had directed himself in 1991! You will be stunned by the great garments the latter had designed and that were worn by super iconic models…
