Mugler returning to Paris catwalk with show during couture

The house of Mugler will return to the Paris catwalks with a new concept show to be staged during this month’s haute couture season, adding a major brand to the international array of talent.

 
“Mugler announces its return to runway on January 26th, 2023, at 8 pm CET at La Villette with the Fall Winter 2022–23 collection by Casey Cadwallader,” the house said in a terse release.
 
Cadwallader will present a see-now buy-now collection in La Villette, a giant complex in northwest Paris which includes Europe’s largest science museum, three concert venues, the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris and a mammoth symphony hall, the Philharmonic of Paris.

In effect, though it is technically a ready-to-wear collection, the Mugler show will climax the four-day couture season that runs from January 23 to 26.
 
Mugler’s last physical live runway show by Cadwallader was in Febuary 2020, just before the Covid-pandemic led to a global lockdown. Since then, the American-born Cadwallader has concentrated exclusively on shows in video format.

“The new concept will be staged as an immersive experience across all channels, and in front of a live audience,” added the house, which is controlled by the French perfume group Clarins.

“The collection will be immediately available on the Mugler website and with selected retail partners,” the brand stressed.
 
The decision to return to the runways, comes almost precisely one year after the death of the founder Thierry Mugler, aged 73, on January 23, 2022. Mugler passed away after a major retrospective of the designer, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, which paid homage to a unique multidisciplinary artist, whose ideas influenced fashion, photography, video music culture, perfumery and gay rights.
 
That exhibition also led to a major re-evaluation of Mugler’s work, placing him in the pantheon of truly great designers of the 20th century.
 
Following Thierry Mugler’s retirement from the house in 2002, Mugler discontinued runway shows until 2011, when it appointed Nicola Formichetti as creative director. Two years later, he was succeeded by David Koma, winning generally favorable reviews for his designs.

However, Cadwallader has been by far Mugler’s most acclaimed successor, whose ability to blend the house’s multiple and contrasting codes – robotic chic, sculptural style, avian aesthetics and transparency – has made him into one of the most important voices in contemporary fashion.
 
During the lockdown, Casey also won plaudits for his brilliant, rapidly edited collection videos, starring current stars and veterans like Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Alek Wek and the ever-blonde Soo-Joo Park.
 
In effect, if he keeps growing as a designer, Casey Cadwallader threatens to steal the limelight at the next couture season in Paris.