#ThierryMuglerBkM

[brooklynmuseum]

“My work is timeless because it’s based on the beauty of the human body and the fascinating world we live in,” said Thierry Mugler.

Never one to shy away from daring endeavors, Mugler staged photoshoots in some of the world’s most breathtaking settings including: icebergs in Greenland, the White Sand of New Mexico, and the Tlalpan Chapel in Mexico City to name a few. 

Here, Claude Heidemeyer poses on the edge of the Chrysler Building for an aptly-named photograph, “Vertigo,” in 1988. Mugler’s keen eye as a director resulted in photographs and campaigns that helped to convey his exhilarating point of view.

See more of Mugler’s photography as part of Thierry Mugler: Couturissime on view now.

📷 Thierry Mugler (French, 1948–2022). Chrysler Building, New York, 1988. Claude Heidemeyer in “Vertigo” by Mugler, 1988. Photographic print, 35 11/16 × 23 7/8 in. (90.6 × 60.6 cm). Courtesy of Mugler Archives. © Thierry Mugler

[b-havior]

🤩 The otherworldly vision of #ThierryMugler on display @brooklynmuseum with art partners-in-fashion @bradensummers and @winialcorn #ThierrymuglerBkM (at Brooklyn Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmumJgUreLM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[oh-anthonio]

A night at the museum @muglerofficial @brooklynmuseum @randomidentities blazer, @eckhaus_latta harness, @commedesgarcons shirt, @jlindebergofficial pants, @eytys boots #couturissime #thierrymuglerbkm #brooklynmuseum (at Brooklyn Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClCUfSYvpZr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[brooklynmuseum]

🎶 Hello, hello, baby, you called, I can't hear a thing…🎶

#OnThisDay... March 11, 2010, Lady Gaga’s music video for “Telephone” premiered around the world. Gaga referred to the release as “a real true pop event.”

In “Telephone” she is seen wearing a Thierry Mugler design, which features an extraordinary hat fabricated by Philip Treacy, as she is bailed out of prison by Beyoncé (nicknamed “Honey Bee” in the video) who drives their getaway car—the Pussy Wagon from Quentin Tarantino’s film, “Kill Bill: Vol 1”. Many viewers remember Beyoncé’s line reading of: “You’ve been a very bad girl… a very, very bad, bad girl, Gaga” just before taking a bite of a Hostess Honey Bun and hand-feeding Gaga a bite, too. 

Directed by Jonas Akerlund, the nearly ten-minute-long music video packs the action with edgy plotlines and dance sequences choreographed by Laurieann Gibson, which are all amplified by the wardrobes styled by Niccola Formichetti (Gaga) and Ty Hunter (Beyoncé). Mugler’s fashions especially complemented Lady Gaga’s creative vision for “Telephone.” 

Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian are some of the American performers and personalities who revived interest in the work of Thierry Mugler, following his retirement in 2002.

📷 Still from music video for "Telephone" (dir. Jonas Åkerlund, 2010).  Mugler’s fashions from Prêt-à-porter Fall/Winter 1995–96 collection (“Anniversaire des 20 ans”) → Installation view, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, on view November 18, 2022 - May 7, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Danny Perez)

[brooklynmuseum]

There’s no question that Mugler makes for memorable moments on the red carpet. 

Ahead of tonight’s #Grammys ceremony, let’s bring it back to 2019 when Cardi B wore vintage Mugler not just on the red carpet, but on stage, too. Cardi B made her entrance in the Venus dress made from pink satin and black velvet. She later performed her major hit “Money” wearing a leopard-flocked catsuit and crinoline adorned in rhinestones and horsehair. The archival pieces debuted as part of Mugler’s Fall/Winter 1995-96 collection—his legendary 20th anniversary show at the Cirque d'Hiver, Paris—and are both on view in Thierry Mugler: Couturissime.

While Thierry Mugler officially “retired” in 2002, he continued to design costumes on occasion, including Beyonce’s 2009 “I Am” tour. Beyonce is credited with reviving interest in Mugler’s edgy designs, which were subsequently worn by more American performers and entertainers, including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Cardi B.  

📷 Cardi B attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/FilmMagic) → Cardi B performs onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) → Installation view, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, on view November 18, 2022 - May 7, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Jonathan Dorado)

[brooklynmuseum]

Quintessential 1990s pop aesthetics are on full display in the “Too Funky” music video.

Released in 1992, the music video was directed by Thierry Mugler alongside George Michael, who at the time, had filed a lawsuit against his record label and was refusing to appear in his music videos. Instead, he assembled an extraordinary cast of supermodels, actresses, and performers to lip-sync his songs. In the video, Mugler contrasted the glamour of a fashion show runway with the chaos behind the scenes. 

📷 Emil Larsson (born Sweden). Prêt-à-porter spring/summer 1992. Les Cow-boys collection, Hand-painted Plexiglas “motorcycle fairing” bustier (Jean-Jacques Urcun), quilted heart on the back. Metal spike-heeled, hand-painted leather ankle boots. © Emil Larsson → Emil Larsson (born Sweden). Prêt-à-porter Spring/Summer 1991 collection (“Superstar Diana Ross”). Metal bra, shorts, articulated armpieces, and helmet, made in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Delcros. © Emil Larsson → Emil Larsson (born Sweden). Prêt-à-porter spring/summer 1992. Les Cow-boys collection, Rubber-lace slit sheath with pagoda sleeves. © Emil Larsson

[brooklynmuseum]

Meticulous Monsieur Mugler. 

The devil really is in the details with Thierry Mugler’s designs. As we approach the end of Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, we want to spotlight some of the stand-out elements of his work that make Mugler one of the most daring designers of the late twentieth century. What are your favorite sections or details in the show?

Experience #Couturissime through May 7 (with new, extended hours).

🎟 https://bit.ly/ThierryMuglerBkM

An exhibition initiated, produced and circulated by The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with Mugler. Curator: Thierry-Maxime Loriot. Our presentation is coordinated by Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture.

📷 Ellen von Unwerth (born 1954, Frankfurt, Germany). Eva Herzigová, Vogue Italy, 1992. Prêt-à-porter Spring/Summer 1992 collection (“Les Cow-boys”). © Ellen von Unwerth

[brooklynmuseum]

“The duality between being a woman and a warrior.”

This is how Thierry Mugler described the emphasis given to his collaboration with Beyoncé on the “I Am… “ World Tour, which began #OnThisDay March 26, 2009 with a performance in Edmonton, Canada. As a creative adviser for the tour, Mugler worked on several visual aspects including lighting, sets, choreography, and costumes, including the gold, jewel-encrusted bodysuit, shown here, which was based on a look originally in white, shown at his Spring/Summer 1998 haute couture collection, titled “Jeu de Paume”.

Between the performance sets, video interludes, and promotional materials, over 71 Mugler pieces were worn; of those, Beyoncé wore 10 “very elaborate” Mugler ensembles. In total, this tour consisted of 110 concerts performed across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.  

Do you think we can expect to see the most Grammy-decorated artist in Mugler (designed by current creative director Casey Cadwallader) during the Renaissance World Tour that kicks off in just a few weeks?

📷 Beyoncé in Thierry Mugler at Madison Square Garden, 2009. (Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage for New York Post)

[brooklynmuseum]

In celebration of David Bowie’s birthday! 👨‍🎤

David Bowie, who was dressed by Thierry Mugler for a number of tours, videos, and events, wore this green wool crepe suit with collarless jacket in the music video for Tin Machine’s “You Belong in Rock ‘n’ Roll.”  

Currently on display in Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, this minimalist jacket was originally part of the “Les Cow-boys” Spring/Summer 1992 pret-a-porter collection. However, this is not the first time this design has been displayed at the Brooklyn Museum. Visitors to “David Bowie is” may remember seeing the suit as one of the roughly 400 works presented from the David Bowie Archive. In that 2018 exhibition, the suit was shown with a t-shirt which said, “F*ck You I ❤️ Tin Machine,” which was a response to the many who questioned his being a member of a band after being a successful solo artist for so many years.  

In addition to the green suit in the “Thierry Mugler” exhibition, we are also displaying a dress from Mugler’s 1979-80 “Spirale Futuriste” collection, that Bowie wore in the music video for “Boys Keep Swinging” (1979), which was filmed in February. In December of that year, Bowie performed “Man Who Owned the World” on Saturday Night Live with back-up singers Joey Arias and Klaus Nomi, who both wore Mugler dresses, featuring his signature padded shoulders.  

📷 Brian Aris (British). David Bowie in Mugler at The Factory in Dublin, 1991. Courtesy and © Brian Aris → Installation view, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, on view November 18, 2022 - May 7, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Jonathan Dorado) → Installation view, David Bowie Is. Brooklyn Museum, March 2–July 15, 2018. (Photo: Jonathan Dorado, Brooklyn Museum)

[brooklynmuseum]

Jerry Hall walked in Thierry Mugler’s very first runway show in 1978, became the face of his fragrance Angel in 1995, and was one of the fashion visionary’s muses photographed in far-off, hard-to-reach places around the world. 

“Thierry loved women,” Hall said. “Only love could grasp and hold all those glamorous iconic Hollywood images and fold them into fabric.”

Knowing Mugler’s love for women, it’s no surprise that he invented the “glamazon,” an unconventional, powerful, and sexy modern metropolitan woman. Beyond erotic maximization, self-awareness was asserted through body consciousness. In the couturier’s mind, “Elegance is guts, it’s nerve.”

📷 Helmut Newton (German,1920–2004). Jerry Hall and Thierry Mugler, Paris, 1996. Inkjet print: 21 5/8 × 23 1/4 in. (55 × 59 cm). Courtesy and © Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin

[brooklynmuseum]

For the finale of Thierry Mugler’s 10th anniversary collection in March 1984, Pat Cleveland descended from the ceiling as the Madonna in this luminescent, layered chiffon gown. Oh, and she happened to be four months pregnant at the time, with her son Noel!

On February 23, Cleveland will join Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture, at the Brooklyn Museum for a behind-the-scenes conversation into the intricacies and joys of working with the perfectionist Thierry Mugler.

“[What] hypnotic powers that Thierry Mugler had.  His vision was so intense and so outrageous and so worthwhile,” said Cleveland. “I always felt like I was making history when I did his shows because he is one of the most fabulous and creative showmen, ever.”

Don’t miss this special evening of #BkMTalks and after-hours access to #Couturissime. #ThierryMuglerBkM 

🎟 http://bit.ly/3RtCLO1

📷 Pat Cleveland in Thierry Mugler for the finale of the tenth anniversary of the Mugler label in Paris, 1984. Prêt-à-porter Fall/Winter 1984–85 collection (“Hiver des anges — 10 ans” / “Winter of Angels – 10th Anniversary). Silk chiffon caped gown adorned with crystals. (Photo: Guy Marineau/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) → Installation view, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, on view November 18, 2022 - May 7, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Danny Perez)

[brooklynmuseum]

Try as they might to blend in, our visitors always stand out. 😎

Share your visit to the Museum with us using #MyBkM for a chance to be reposted!

📷 @_soloe__, @tannerglenn, @jessrocksit, @dudredkoless, @elijahillustrates, @stephseemsok

[brooklynmuseum]

Tag someone in your life who needs to experience the daring designs, futuristic fashions, and bold behind-the-scenes details on view in Thierry Mugler: Couturissime! 

Step into the spectacular world of #Couturissime through May 7! #ThierryMuglerBkM 

🎟 https://bit.ly/ThierryMuglerBkM

An exhibition initiated, produced and circulated by Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Mugler. Curator: Thierry-Maxime Loriot. Our presentation is coordinated by Matthew Yokobosky, Senior Curator of Fashion and Material Culture.

[brooklynmuseum]

In tribute to Thierry Mugler. 🪡💥

Today, on the anniversary of the French fashion visionary’s death, we celebrate the life and creativity of Mugler. His one-of-a-kind creations, his post-modern designs, and forward-thinking realization of new superheroine archetypes made an indelible mark on fashion history.

Mugler’s designs arrived at a key moment in late twentieth-century French fashion history, when the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture—the regulating commission that determines which fashion houses are eligible to be houses for the practice of haute couture, which roughly translates as “high sewing”—opened its doors wide for “juenes créateaurs” (“young creatives”).

“I made clothes because I was looking for something that didn't exist,” Mugler said. “I had to try to create my own world.” #Couturissime #ThierryMuglerBkM 

📷 Jean-Paul Goude (French, born 1940). Thierry Mugler, Vogue Paris, 1998. Courtesy and © Jean-Paul Goude

[brooklynmuseum]

They say it’s the sincerest form of flattery!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone! Share your visit to the museum with us using #MyBkM. 

📷 @lesya.verba, @rahat_bhaisaab, @alexanderchavez, @canarsie_d

[brooklynmuseum]

Dianne Brill. Joey Arias. Stella Ellis.⁠ ⁠ Each of these three talents inspired and collaborated with visionary designer Thierry Mugler. As part of our series on Mugler’s muses, these special guests will take us behind the scenes on April 13 to discuss their work with the late artist, from doing makeup for his shows to strutting down his runways and collaborating on editorial projects. ⁠ ⁠ Get your ticket, which includes after-hours access to the exhibition.

🎟 http://bit.ly/3nj6XQZ

📷 Courtesy of Dianne Brill → Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Will Ragozzino for Matthew Carasella Photography) → Jason Crowley/BFA.com