Manfred Thierry Mugler, the celebrity-favored fashion designer behind his namesake collection, has passed away. He was 73 years old.
Mugler’s staff revealed his death on Sunday, posting a black square to his personal Instagram page with the devastating news stated in both English and French.
“We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace,” the caption read.
His cause of death was unknown at the time.
Mugler, who was born on December 21, 1948, in Strasbourg, France, began designing in the 1970s. He became well-known for his dramatic, avant-garde designs.
He retired from fashion in 2002, and Clarins down his ready-to-wear line the following year, but the renowned designer remained a fixture in the world of fashion. Mugler, which is presently under the creative leadership of designer Casey Cadwallader, was reintroduced in 2010.
Mugler has gone out of retirement a few times, most notably when he designed the costumes for Beyoncé’s 2009 I Am… World Tour. In 2019, he created the dress Kim Kardashian wore to the Met Gala, which was inspired by Sophia Loren’s performance in Boy on a Dolphin.
“He always, you know, it’s a whole vision from, you know, hair to nails to everything,” Kardashian, 41, said of Mugler in 2019. “His runway shows were the most renowned and iconic runway shows that have ever taken place.”
Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Cardi B, Cindy Crawford, George Michael, David Bowie, Nicole Kidman, Megan Fox, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and others have worn his provocative creations.
