Designer Thierry Mugler, Known For Creating Iconic Celebrity Dresses, Dies At 73

Manfred Thierry Mugler, a renowned fashion designer who created iconic looks for superstars such as Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie and Beyonce died on Sunday at the age of 73.

Thierry Mugler Cause Of Death

Mugler’s design sense revolutionized fashion sensibilities at the time as he rose to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s, making use of unusual construction and distinctive silhouettes. While he formally retired from fashion in 2002 after a storied career, Mugler’s iconic vintage designs would cause several resurgences in popularity throughout the years.

He returned occasionally to fashion, creating costumes for Beyonce’s “I Am… World Tour,” and eventually even stepping back briefly into couture to make an original dress for Kim Kardashian to wear for the 2019 Met Gala.

Mugler was incredibly multitalented. Along with his revolutionary fashion work, he published several photography books, direct short films, and advertisements, and released many popular perfumes through his Thierry Mugler brand. He was also a lifelong bodybuilder and began training in dance at the age of nine.

Towards the end of his life, Mugler became increasingly reclusive. He began going by his first name “Manfred” again after the first time in years, and bulked up significantly, in a stated effort to distance himself from his haute couture “Thierry Mugler” brand.

Manfred Thierry Mugler was born in Strasbourg, France on December 21, 1948. He eschewed traditional schooling at a young age in favor of drawing and dance, and by the age of 14, he was performing as a ballerina at the Rhin Opera.

Mugler began focusing on fashion in his twenties, working as a freelance designer for fashion houses in Paris, Milan, Barcelona, and London. He debuted his first personal collection in 1973, and Mugler shows over the next decades would come to be known as beautiful, extremely extravagant affairs usually with strong themes.

His career peak in the 1990s saw several strong accomplishments by the designer. He released his first haute couture line in 1992, and his first fragrance Angel the very same year. He also made costuming history with the black dress worn by Demi Moore in 1993’s Indecent Proposal, which has since been called the best dress of the ’90s.

A cause of death for the designer was not given in the official Instagram announcement of his passing. “May his soul Rest In Piece,” the caption wrote.