At the end of January, Dominique and Mugler returned to the runway after three years of showing online due to the pandemic. The show took place in Paris at Parc de la Villette with star-studded guests. The clothes from Mugler’s FW23 collection got people talking.
I was impressed by the collection as they were a mix of everyday wear and over-the-top dramatic pieces. The exhibition was sexy, sleek, and structured – everything Casey has been known for since taking over Mugler in 2018. Casey did an outstanding job creating a collection that everyday consumers can buy. The collection’s overall theme is the 90s meets the 2020s as it balances between minimalism and maximalism. There are a few looks that I would wear from this collection.
Dominique and Mugler
The song “CONTAGION” by Mars Mason was the perfect choice for this runway. It is sexy, fierce, and energetic to match the collection’s theme of sexiness, confidence, and fun. The reference to the ballroom scene and the documentary Paris Burning was the perfect touch to the show.
The walks were an element that was clever as they gave personality and drama. Some of the models interacted with the audience to add excitement. Dominique Jackson was a highlight of the show. She wore blindfolds, danced robotically, and ended her performance with a fierce catwalk. The blonde hair and red lips against Dominque’s skin tone were an ideal addition to the outfit. Fashion has lost its theatrics. Seeing models interacting with the audience and making it fun was fresh air.
Setting the Stage
I enjoyed how the staging matched the theme of the clothes beautifully. The camera on the stage was zooming in on the models, and the models standing on the walking camera to get close-ups was a fun element that took the show to another level.
37 looks emerged, all as equally breathtaking as the following one. The collection featured black, brown, red, lace, and leather. Throughout the collection were mixed textures and different silhouettes, such as sleek lines and over-the-top dramatic draping, which was a fabulous juxtaposition, as we are used to seeing just sleek lines from Mugler. The collection oozed sex appeal with lacy details.
In conclusion, this is one of the best runway shows I have seen in a long time. The diverse, theatrical and playful elements needed to be added to fashion. The show felt like a party, and the models all seemed to be having fun. Casey Cadwallader has done a great job of keeping the legacy of Thierry Mugler yet doing Mugler his way.
