Designer Thierry Mugler Passes Away at 73

Manfred Thierry Mugler, a French designer who was the creative director and creative adviser of his eponymous high-fashion label Mugler, has passed away at age 73.

On Sunday, a statement was released on Mugler’s official Instagram account, sharing the devastating news.

“We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace,” the message read.

Though the statement did not disclose his cause of death, BNO News reports that Mugler’s manager Jean-Baptiste Rougeot said the designer passed away from natural causes.

Born in Strasbourg, France, Mugler began formally training in interior design at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts.

After he began designing clothes for Karim in 1971, he created his first personal collection called “Café de Paris” in 1973.

In the ’80s, Mugler became an internationally recognized designer and was known for his shapely suits, as well as his dramatic, avant-garde designs.

Though he retired from fashion in 2002 before his ready-to-wear brand was shuttered the next year, his label was relaunched in 2010 and is currently under the creative direction of designer Casey Cadwallader.

A favorite of celebrities, Mugler created costumes for Beyoncé’s 2009 “I Am...” world tour and designed Kim Kardashian’s 2019 Met Gala dress.

“He always, it’s a full vision from, you know, hair to nails to everything,” Kardashian told People in 2019 about his artistry. “His runway shows were the most legendary and iconic runway shows ever.”

After news of his death broke, Kardashian paid tribute to Mugler on social media, writing, “There’s no one like you!”

“I am so honored to have known you, spent time with you and be a muse for you. There was so much more for you to show the world and that we had planned to do together, but you already gave us so much. I will never forget our time together around the world and learning from the master himself on what couture really meant!” she wrote.

“You always said beauty will save the world - and you really believed it was a better place because of the beauty all around! Thank you for the beauty. I love you so much.”