Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, David Bowie – how 4 musicians fell in love with designer Thierry Mugler’s creations
As the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibition makes its first stop in Europe, at the Kunsthal Rotterdam, STYLE celebrates four trendsetting musical icons who brought the French designer’s fashions to the world
The Netherlands’ Kunsthal Rotterdam museum pays homage to one of fashion's most innovative designers with the ongoing “Thierry Mugler: Couturissime” exhibition. Following its success at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in Canada, the exhibition has made its first stop in Europe.
Running until March 8, it showcases an extensive curation of Mugler’s archive, themed and iconic costumes, photography and prêt-à-porter; a Mugler universe documenting the many roles he played over his 50 years of creation in the industry. A visionary, couturier, director, photographer and perfumer, Mugler’s versatility and rebellious resonate to many on multiple levels.
From the early days, he invited Hollywood guest stars onto his catwalks, while an assortment of A-list supermodels and star performers wore his designs. “I always felt fashion wasn’t sufficient in itself, and that it had to be shown in a musical and theatrical setting,” the designer once said.
Among the many big names, here are four A-list celebrities who chose to don Mugler’s designs for significant moments – thrusting his work under the spotlight and into the public imagination.
Lady Gaga
Known for her theatrical costumes and dramatic performances, it comes as no surprise that in 2010, Lady Gaga dug into Mugler’s archive and wore a design from his autumn/winter 1995-1996 ready-to-wear collection, in her music video for the smash song Telephone (featuring none other than fellow fan Beyoncé). On many levels, Lady Gaga’s approach resonates with Mugler – the love of stage, the alter-ego during performance, the extravagance and the constant pushing of boundaries.
Beyoncé