Thierry Mugler [1948] is a fashion designer, photographer and creator of a fashion design company of the same name. Mugler's early training was as a ballet dancer, but he also studied design and created garments for friends at the same time. He moved to Paris in 1970 and worked as a window-dresser, designing clothing "on the side". He launched his first line Café de Paris in 1973, and founded his own label for women two years later, to be followed by designs for men in 1978. Mugler's work over the next two decades had a style that was very much of its time: Shoulders were wide and padded; waists were wasp-like. Prints were banished: Mugler's clothes came in solid, dominating colors. Collars had exaggerated points or flamelike cutouts. The insect kingdom was a constant influence, as were the people of film noir. In his most extreme runway garments, PVC was often used, as were space and robot themes.
