It’s normal for celebrities to have brands that they work with regularly. Celebrities that have achieved a certain status can often elevate themselves to the face of a brand. It takes a special kind of brand, however, to become the face of stardom itself … and that brand is indeed Mugler.
Thierry Mugler was a French designer who started his namesake brand. Historically speaking, Mugler has represented an aesthetic born of powerful, fashion-forward visions. Mugler’s avant garde designs have been known to accentuate the female figure and highlight the shapely silhouette. We’ve seen metallic-clad corsets, skintight latex dresses, and even nude illusion bodysuits from the designer brand. This year we’ve seen them take their presence a step further with the help of an army of pop stars.
Surely, Mugler is a name that we all recognize in some form. Celebrities have donned the luxury garments for decades, from the days of Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell to Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Bella Hadid today. 2021, however, has unquestionably been a renaissance year for Mugler. Whether you wanted to or not, at some point you’ve seen a Mugler peekaboo bodysuit in some form on some high-profile celeb.
Our first look into the Mugler impact would be seen in September 2020, as Miley Cyrus performed at the VMA’s — her first performance since the advent of the pandemic. Cyrus performed “Heart Of Glass,” “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” and “Midnight Sky,” her first single off of her album “Plastic Hearts,” in a sheer and black mesh Mugler bodysuit accented by a diamond necklace, layered bracelets lining both wrists and several rings.
Perhaps Miley’s performance overshadowed the look, but from the moment that Beyoncé graced the cover of British Vogue in November of 2020, Mugler was on everyone’s radar and, more importantly, the Mugler bodysuit was on every celebrity’s radar as a must-have. Magazines function primarily as a visual medium, allowing viewers to focus on the fashion in addition to the interview. Beyoncé, as one of the most acclaimed artists worldwide, has been known as something of a fashion icon alongside her musical prowess. Beyoncé lives in the ‘haus of exclusivity,’ so if you’re sporting the same look as her, you’re in pretty good company. Anyone who’s anyone has to be seen wearing that bodysuit.
Since Bey’s Mugler moment, the Mugler bodysuit became a crucial part of the pop star uniform. Dua Lipa stunned in a custom sheer black Mugler bodysuit lined with crystals for the finale of her virtual concert, Studio 2054, in November 2020. Dua also wore another black cutout Mugler bodysuit for her February 2021 Rolling Stone cover shoot. Kali Uchis virtually accepted her Grammy award for ‘Best Dance Recording’ in March 2021 wearing a black cutout Mugler bodysuit. Later that same month, Doja Cat released a music video for her song, “Streets,” featuring the rising star in a black and nude illusion Mugler bodysuit. In April 2021, Symone, the newly-crowned winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 13, surprised Lizzo at her birthday party in a khaki-colored, cutout Mugler jumpsuit. Even Gen Z Queen Billie Eilish wore a custom black, sheer corset Mugler bodysuit for her June 2021 British Vogue cover shoot.
We were even fortunate enough to see transgender representation walk the runway for Mugler SS21 in the form of celebrities Dominique Jackson and Hunter Schafer. The actresses served looks in an ivory cutout dress with sheer ruching as well as a completely sheer, crystallized dress. Amidst this Mugler revival, dresses have become more prominent among famous women, such as MJ Rodriguez, Madison Beer, Megan Fox and SZA.
Casey Cadwallader, Mugler’s creative director as of 2018, has done his part in ushering in this new era for the brand. A large part of ensuring a brand’s success is securing brand visibility. Every name listed above is cutting edge in pop culture, helping to reestablish Mugler as an edgy, high fashion brand that specializes in creating sexy, powerful garments.