RIP

Designer Manfred Thierry Mugler Dead at 73: Beyonce, Kourtney Kardashian and More React to Fashion Icon’s Death

January 26, 2022

Manfred Thierry Mugler died at age 73, according to a statement shared on the fashion designer’s official social media accounts on Sunday, January 23.

Mugler’s team shared an image of a plain black box via Instagram. “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 read. The announcement was also made in French.

A cause of death was not immediately announced.

The designer was born in Strasbourg, France, in December 1948 and started his career in fashion in his early twenties. He rose to international success in the ’80s and ’90s, and despite retiring from the Mugler brand in 2003, he continued to be influential until his death.

Mugler was an artistic director for Beyoncé in 2009, designing costumes for her I Am… World Tour. “Rest in peace,” read a short statement on the 40-year-old’s official website alongside a black-and-white snap of her late colleague.

The fashion legend continued to work with pop culture icons, including Lady Gaga and Cardi B, throughout his life.

He worked extensively with Kim Kardashian, coming out of retirement to design the reality star’s iconic “wet” dress at the 2019 Met Gala for House of Mugler. The look was inspired by the Sophia Loren in 1957’s Boy on a Dolphin.

“This is the first time in 20 years Mr. Mugler has designed for the House of Mugler,” Kardashian, now 41, told Vogue at the May 2019 event. “So to come and design this gown for me is such an honor. This is about eight months in the making. He envisioned me this California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping.”

The two worked together many times over the years. He even made her “Cowbot Girl” Halloween costume in October.

After his death was announced, Kim’s sister Kourtney Kardashian shared a photo of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians cast wearing the late designer. “All in Mugler 💔,” she captioned her Instagram Story snap, which was shared by mom Kris Jenner.

Mugler brand’s current artistic director Casey Cadwallader reacted to the news shortly after the announcement was made on Sunday. “Manfred, I am so honored to have known you and to work within your beautiful world,” Cadwallader captioned a photo of the icon. “You changed our perception of beauty, of confidence, of representation and self empowerment. Your legacy is something I carry with me in everything I do. Thank you.”

Scroll down to see more stars react to the news of Mugler’s death:

Credit: KCS Presse / MEGA

Designer Manfred Thierry Mugler Dead at 73: Beyonce, Kourtney Kardashian and More React to Fashion Icon's Death

Manfred Thierry Mugler died at age 73, according to a statement shared on the fashion designer's official social media accounts on Sunday, January 23. Mugler's team shared an image of a plain black box via Instagram. "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 read. The announcement was also made in French. A cause of death was not immediately announced. The designer was born in Strasbourg, France, in December 1948 and started his career in fashion in his early twenties. He rose to international success in the '80s and '90s, and despite retiring from the Mugler brand in 2003, he continued to be influential until his death. Mugler was an artistic director for Beyoncé in 2009, designing costumes for her I Am... World Tour. "Rest in peace," read a short statement on the 40-year-old's official website alongside a black-and-white snap of her late colleague. The fashion legend continued to work with pop culture icons, including Lady Gaga and Cardi B, throughout his life. He worked extensively with Kim Kardashian, coming out of retirement to design the reality star's iconic "wet" dress at the 2019 Met Gala for House of Mugler. The look was inspired by the Sophia Loren in 1957's Boy on a Dolphin. "This is the first time in 20 years Mr. Mugler has designed for the House of Mugler," Kardashian, now 41, told Vogue at the May 2019 event. "So to come and design this gown for me is such an honor. This is about eight months in the making. He envisioned me this California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping.” The two worked together many times over the years. He even made her "Cowbot Girl" Halloween costume in October. After his death was announced, Kim's sister Kourtney Kardashian shared a photo of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians cast wearing the late designer. "All in Mugler 💔," she captioned her Instagram Story snap, which was shared by mom Kris Jenner. Mugler brand's current artistic director Casey Cadwallader reacted to the news shortly after the announcement was made on Sunday. "Manfred, I am so honored to have known you and to work within your beautiful world," Cadwallader captioned a photo of the icon. "You changed our perception of beauty, of confidence, of representation and self empowerment. Your legacy is something I carry with me in everything I do. Thank you." Scroll down to see more stars react to the news of Mugler's death:

Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Cardi B

"Mr. Mugler was one of the FIRST designers to take a major chance on me, allowing me to wear one of his ICONIC archive pieces for my Grammy red carpet look in 2019," the rapper shared via Instagram on Tuesday, January 25. "Over the years me, him and [stylist] Kollin [Carter] created even more fashion moments but nothing tops being able to finally meet him in person last year in Paris at his museum exhibit.

Cardi added that she almost didn't get the chance to thank the designer. "It's so crazy because I was second-guessing if I should go the whole time leading up to that trip," she explained. "I had just given birth to my son like three weeks prior and wasn't feeling 100% like myself but something in my spirit kept saying 'GO.' Maybe God knew that if I didn't go then I may have never had the opportunity to thank him for everything he did and the doors he opened for me. Mr. Mugler was still putting his foot on necks at 73 years old!!! A true inspiration for all of us."

Designer Manfred Thierry Mugler Dead at 73

Credit: Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock

Kim Kardashian

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum honored Mugler on January 24 with a touching tribute post on Instagram. “My heart breaks. There’s no one like you!” Kardashian wrote, praising the late designer for his “vision” and talent. “I am so honored to have known you, spent time with you and be a muse for you. There was so much more for you to show the world and that we had planned to do together, but you already gave us so much.” I will never forget our time together around the world and learning from the master himself on what couture really meant!”

She continued by reflecting on the time she spent with the couturier over the years. “You always said beauty will save the world - and you really believed it was a better place because of the beauty all around! Thank you for the beauty. I love you so much.” The KKW Beauty founder concluded her post by sharing her condolences with Mugler’s loved ones, as well as “everyone who loved him and whose lives he has touched.”

Credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Beyonce

"Rest in peace," a statement on the "Halo" singer's website read.

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Tracee Ellis Ross

The Black-ish star simply commented with broken heart emojis, "💔💔💔💔."

Credit: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Georgia May Jagger

"I cannot believe this is true sending love to you all. Thierry was a force of creativity and kindness 💔," the model shared via Instagram.

Credit: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Brigitte Nielsen

"Such an icon. Unbelievably sad 😔," she commented via Instagram.

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