THE BOOK
Thierry Mugler. Fashion Fetish Fantasy. Santa Monica, CA: General Publishing Group, 1998. Hardcover with title printed black on black in dust jacket, 192 pp. 32,2 x 23,7 cm. Edited by Claude Deloffre. Foreword by Marylou Luther. First US edition. First printing.
Language: English
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
Illustrated throughout with full-color and black-and-white photographs, the book features the work of a large number of photographers, including Jean-Paul Goude, David LaChapelle, Thierry LeGoues, Sarah Moon, Helmut Newton, André Rau, Paolo Roversi, Inez Van Lamsweerde, Vinoodh Matadin, and Thierry Mugler himself.
CONDITION
A very good book in a fair DJ.
- Book: front cover showing two 1 cm and one 2 mm marks where the black ink has come off. Spine and edges straight and clean without any defects. Inside clean and in a very good + state.
- Dust Jacket: wrinkled at the top edge but less so at the bottom edge, with the front cover having suffered more than the back cover. DJ also shows shelf wear. Top right corner of the front cover shows a 6 cm tear and top right corner of the back cover shows a 2 cm tear that have not been closed or mended and have an overall decent appearance.
THE DESIGNER
Thierry Mugler (1948-2022) was an influential fashion designer celebrated as a transformative force in the world of (fashion) design for his avant-garde and theatrical praxis. With 200+ Fashion Fetish Fantasy
Moving to Paris at 24, Mugler worked initially as a freelance designer. In 1976, he founded his eponymous label, initially focusing on women's fashion and later expanding into menswear.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Mugler emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the fashion industry through his highly theatrical shows and visionary designs. Padded hips, sculptural silhouettes, and elaborate displays featuring bodybuilders and GoGo dancers became hallmarks of his brand. His designs were not merely clothing; they transformed into immersive experiences, transporting audiences into extraordinary parallel universes.
Mugler drew inspiration from an eclectic array of sources, including insects, birds, film noir characters, and power suits. His 1997 runway, inspired by insects, showcased extravagant silhouettes, standing out as one of his most iconic collections.
Challenging conventional notions of femininity, Mugler believed that power could coexist with beauty. He sought to empower women, allowing them to dress elegantly, playfully, and provocatively while maintaining intelligence and respectability. His legacy includes popularizing the concept of lingerie as outerwear, a trend evident in contemporary fashion.
In 2003, Mugler temporarily withdrew from the public eye, returning in 2009 transformed physically and adopting the name "Manfred." This reimagining coincided with designing costumes for Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity," catching the attention of artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.