The Wait is Over – Mugler x H&M is Here! After all the anticipation, one of fashion’s most hyped collaborations finally arrives in stores.
H&M’s annual designer collaboration has become a highly anticipated event for fashion enthusiasts worldwide as everyone anticipates the announcement of who the retailer will be collaborating with next. As the retailer announces that the next brand up their list is Mugler, the project quickly became a collaboration that the industry looks forward to, especially with the rising resurgence of the brand in recent years.
Founded in 1973, Mugler started out as the namesake brand of the designer, Thierry Mugler. The house has been one that’s been known for its bold and daring take on fashion, which became the main reason why the brand attracted so much attention since its inception. Early signifiers of a Mugler piece include architectural and exaggerated silhouettes, strict structures, and touches of futurism. When speaking of futurism, not only does Mugler implement such a concept visually but also in spirit as he was a designer that wasn’t afraid of going against the norm and embraced women, creating pieces that enhanced a women’s figure not in an objectifying way but rather an empowering one.
Image courtesy of H&M.
Currently, the brand is being led by Casey Cadwallader, who has turned the revolutionary brand into an It-Girl favourite. If Thierry’s Mugler was known for its extravagant couture, Cadwallader’s Mugler reinterprets the house’s spirit of futurism and fierce femininity into sleek ready-to-wear pieces that often plays with geometry and shape through cut-outs and panelling. Both interpretations are taken into the drawing board for this Mugler x H&M collaboration as the Swedish retailer releases pieces that are clear references to classic Cadwaller pieces as well as reimaginations of archival designs from Thierry’s time.
For its womenswear selection, the collection offers an array of pieces spanning from versatile casual pieces to eccentric party wear. A common denominator between all these pieces is the modernisation of corsetry, turning a traditional element of womenswear into something modern and tough. Of course, it isn’t a Mugler collection without an array of panelled mesh pieces that take up the form of body-fitting dresses, tops, and leggings. To further enhance the spirit of a show-stopping Mugler woman, the collection also offers pieces in a bright fluorescent green, bubblegum pink and electric blue, that will surely turn anyone sporting these statement pieces the life of the party.
Image courtesy of H&M.
The collection also offers an array of menswear pieces, including a line-up of structured blazers and coats with button detailing. For a more daily occasion, the collection also features denim pieces that can easily be styled with simple essentials, but also more streetwear-coded pieces like bombers and hoodies. Although the pieces are labelled into menswear and womenswear, it’s worth noting that all pieces are meant to be genderless with buyers encouraged to shop regardless of binary.
Image courtesy of H&M.
The collection ultimately is a celebration of reimagining Mugler’s house codes and introducing such signatures to a new audience. “This collection is a watershed moment for the house of Mugler – 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,” says Cadwaller. (Text Vanya Harapan)
The collection will be available for purchase in stores and online from May 11th 2023.