French fashion designer Thierry Mugler dies aged 73

His dramatic designs were worn by celebrities like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cardi B.

Thierry Mugler acknowledges applause following his 2001-2002 ready-to-wear collection presentation in Paris on March 12 2001 (Remy de la Mauviniere/AP)

By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press

January 24 2022 07:10 AM

French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler, whose dramatic designs were worn by celebrities like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cardi B, has died aged 73.

He died on Sunday, his official Instagram account said.

“May his soul Rest In Peace,” it said in a post that was all black with no image.

It did not give a cause of death.

Thierry Mugler on the catwalk (Remy de la Mauviniere/AP)

Mugler, who launched his brand in 1973, became known for his architectural style, defined by broad shoulders and a tiny waist.

The use of plastic-like futuristic fabric in his sculpted clothing became a trademark.

He defined haute couture over several decades, dressing up Diana Ross and Beyonce at galas, on red carpets and runways.

His designs were not shy about being outlandish, at times resembling robotic suits with protruding cone shapes.

Mugler also had a popular perfume line, which he started in the 1990s.

French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, left, and fellow designer Thierry Mugler try on jackets during the Aids Gala at the Folies Bergeres in Paris, France in 1992 (Jacques Brinon/AP)

The fashion world filled with an outpouring of sympathy.

Bella Hadid, a US model, said “Nonononono”, followed by an image of a sad face, while US actress January Jones responded with a heart mark, from their official Instagram accounts.

Besides clothes, Mugler created films and photographs, and was a dancer, acrobat as well as avid body-builder, stressing he always wanted to explore the human body as art.