To be deemed an “icon” requires someone to be one-of-a-kind. It’s not about reimagining or reinventing, but creating something never seen or experienced before. Today, with the unveiling of Mugler H&M‘s new collaboration and collection, it’s clear to see the house of Mugler has had a distinct impact on fashion since its inception. Celebrating the house’s iconic shapes and silhouettes, the Mugler x H&M collection embodies the essence of everything Mugler’s defined by — an uncontrollable, rule-breaking force that doesn’t just embrace everyone’s individual identity, but celebrates it.
For the house of Mugler, the collection presents the opportunity to look back on their iconic history. It’s a sentiment that Casey Cadwallader, Mugler’s Creative Director, echoes. “This collection is a watershed moment for the house of Mugler,” Cadwallader states. “[It’s] a chance for us to celebrate our history and the pieces that we are beloved for today. The collaboration includes many of our signatures, from catsuits and bodycon dresses to tailoring, denim and beautiful, bold jewellery and accessories.”
Mugler’s youthful, playful spirit is at the forefront of the collection. In particular, the collection’s womenswear silhouette includes aspects that are quintessentially Mugler — garments that feature oversized shoulders with detailed cinched waists to showcase the wearer’s body in all of its beauty. Blending together modern elements, including Mugler’s classic spiral multi-seaming across each garment, like from baggy jeans and jackets. As a house that elevates embellishments, other powerful garments include leather outerwear with elongated scarf detailing, dresses adorned with decorations, and tailoring that is equal parts strong and skillful (and easily matched with illusion catsuits, leggings, and cut-out bodysuits).
For Mugler H&M’s menswear garments in their collection, the notion of masculinity bends and blurs the lines. The menswear collection features leather wear in trousers, blazers, a trench coat with carved buttons, in addition to jackets with strong and sculpted detailing to showcase the body. Distinct tailoring is seamlessly paired and layered with more outlandish attire that sparks joy — see-through starry tops and corseted tanks. Mugler x H&M embrace gender fluidity further by offering accessories that can — and should — be worn by everyone & anyone. These accessories include sheer gloves, body chains, necklaces crafted in different dimensions and shapes that feature the Mugler star, and a mix of tights, bags, and scarves.
H&M’s Creative Advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson speaks of the collaboration between the two fashion powerhouses as one with a single mission: to share and showcase incomparable fashion. “Casey and the Mugler team have been incredibly generous in offering up so many of the house’s classics and signatures, which shoppers will recognise from the runway and red carpet,” Johansson says. “The collection encapsulates the H&M ethos of sharing great fashion and democratizing design. Every piece is an icon.”
In true icon fashion, the collection serves as a tribute to Thierry Mugler, the house’s first designer, creative director and creative adviser. Pulling from the archive of Thierry Mugler’s greatest looks from the 80s and ’90s, deftly curated by Casey Cadwallader, the collection showcases the house’s iconic signature while giving it a modern spin and flair. Included in this curation are a puffed-sleeved luxurious black velvet dress, a lace corset dress, a skirt suit adorned with piercing details, and an acid green jacket tailored to perfection. As part of this nod to Thierry, accessories include boomerang-shaped earrings and a chain that connects a double brooch.
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
The campaign is captured through the lens of renowned photographer Lengua and styled by Haley Wollens, featuring a dynamic and diverse group of creative talents that are respective icons in fashion, music and every industry in between. Some of these icons include Jerry Hall, Connie Fleming, Xu Meen, Fernando Lindez, and many more.
As a nod to Mugler’s decades-long commitment to weaving music, theatrics and performance into the house, Mugler x H&M have created an accompanying music video that aligns with the campaign as a whole — a musical performance that shows the celebration of embracing and expressing one’s true self. The video features four rising stars in music — Amaarae, Shygirl, Eartheater and Arca — that all lend their vocals to a rendition of Stardust’s 1998 dance hit Music Sounds Better With You. For a house that prides itself on its commitment to embracing individuality, the choice of the cult favourite dance hit is representative of the sense of community that is the visual (and sonic) embodiment of Cadwallader’s vision for Mugler today.
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
fashion. Mugler H&M collection
The Mugler H&M collection will be available at hm.com and in selected stores on May 11.
photography. Lengua
fashion. Mugler H&M
styling. Haley Wollens
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