Renowned Fashion Designer Thierry Mugler DIES At 73 — A Look At His Iconic Life

The fashion industry has suffered yet another massive blow.

Famous French designer Manfred Thierry Mugler has sadly passed away at 73. The devastating news was shared suddenly by his team on social media on Sunday, shocking fans.

Alongside a blank black square, Mugler's team announced his sudden passing on Instagram, writing, "#RIP 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 was translated into French for native speakers. Unfortunately, the team revealed no further details about his passing, so the cause of his death remains largely unknown.

However, before his demise, no news surfaced that the French fashion designer was having any health issues or battling any illness. In no time, the tributes poured in, with celebrities and other fashion powerhouses expressing their condolences.

Model Bella Hadid who has walked the runway for Mugler several times, wrote, "Nonononono," while Tracee Ellis Ross commented a series of heartbreak emojis.

Fashion illustrator Hayden Williams wrote, "I'm so sad about this. A true legend!! The beauty he created will live on forever! Such an inspiration." A speechless Heidi Klum added, "? Icon."

Mugler was a brilliant fashion designer who dressed some of the biggest names in the industry. His long list of famous clients includes Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Irina Shayk, Rihanna, Cardi B, and many more.

However, perhaps his most famous work to date was his dressing of Kim Kardashian for the 2019 Met Gala. The fashion genius came out of retirement to dress Kim in a nude latex beaded gown reminiscent of her Vogue cover where she was dripping wet.

At the time, Mugler hadn't released a collection of his own in 20 years, but he put in eight months of creativity and hard work to produce the masterpiece that got tongues wagging for months.

Per reports, Mugler, a former ballet dancer, stormed onto the fashion scene in the late '70s and by the '80s was known for his signature style of cinch-waisted silhouettes and dramatic shoulders.

The Strasbourg native started his fashion journey as young as 20, creating the "Cafe de Paris" brand before establishing the eponymous Thierry Mugler in 1974. Early on, Mugler established himself as an LGBTQ+ ally and icon, never shying away from using trans models and drag queens on the runway.

By the '90s, his fashion brand evolved to include perfumes, with his signature scent Angel remaining a classic. Unfortunately, in 2002, the fashion sector of the brand went under, and Mugler retired, but that didn't stop him from creating iconic pieces. The fashion division has since re-emerged after creative stylist Nicola Formichetti took over in 2010.

While in retirement, Mugler was responsible for creating memorable looks such as numerous costumes for Beyoncé's robotic alter-ego Sasha Fierce which she wore for her late 200s tours.

Per reports, according to his agent, Jean-Baptiste Rougeot, the designer was set to announce a new collaboration sometime this week. Away from his thriving fashion career, Mugler was a bodybuilder and looked youthful as ever in his old age.

He was also known for going under the knife and never shied away from discussing his cosmetic surgery procedures. Not many details were known about Mugler's family life as he rarely spoke about his romantic relationships, but it is believed that he was openly gay.

Mugler's death comes on the heels of the passing of another fashion powerhouse André Leon Talley.

As The Blast reported, just last week, the news of Talley's death broke on Tuesday, January 18, via a statement on Instagram that read, "It is with great sadness we announce the passing of André Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York."

Talley, the former creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine, was known for his unique and flamboyant styles, including kaftans, robes, and glamorous hats.

Talley's death was greatly mourned by celebrities such as Andy Cohen, Naomi Campell, Diane von Fürstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Anna Wintour, Kris Jenner, Holly Robinson Peete, Coco Rocha, and many more.

Talley was also 73 at the time of his death. Our thoughts go out to the families of Talley and Mugler.