Casey Cadwallader, Mugler’s newest creative director, is making waves in the fashion world with his innovative designs, refining founder, Thierry Mugler’s original vision in the wake of the Time’s Up movement. At the dawn of such an era, Cadwallader, seems to be one of the few designers, channelling themes of empowerment and solidarity in his designs and shoots. A glance at his Instagram page is enough to gauge his high art style, emulating it not only in his pieces, but in the women who model them.
His background in architecture shines through his creative direction, playing a significant role in shooting locations. Cadwallader artfully fuses fashion, women, photography and architecture to present Mugler as a contemporary line, building upon its original intent.
Mugler in its conception, emerged as a progressive label, positioning bold femininity at the forefront of its brand; unapologetically promoting diversity, body positivity, femininity and sexuality in a traditionally anglo-centric industry. In the years of David Koma leading the artistic direction of Thierry’s brand, the original Mugler values warped to fit urban-club culture, an entirely different direction that the label began with. Cadwallader reintroduced the core values Mugler was founded upon, reinventing it to fit a 21st century context in which, now more than ever, there has been a call for representation, solidarity and resistance. The Cadwallader era of Mugler largely focuses on the women pictured; “even the photographs are more about the women than they are the clothes,” the creative director admitted.
The impact of his choice of design and creativity not only exists within campaign posters and magazine pages, but also transcends to the runway. Cadawallader’s recent Mugler debut in Paris, showcased the fluidity of gender which Mugler is so renowned for; the bold collection featured equal elements of both masculine and feminine beauty. The almost androgynous collection centred around the many diverse women who’s sharp features and minimal makeup swung between masculine and feminine ideals perpetuating Cadwallader’s inclusive vision.
Cadwallader’s aesthetic has also caught the eye of some of the worlds biggest names including Beyonce, a women who so strongly embodies the core values of Mugler. Not her first time in Mugler, Beyonce opened her On The Run II tour in a Cadwallader designed black leather bodysuit and thigh high boots. He gushes about the opportunity in a statement; “I am truly honoured to have had the chance to design looks for Beyoncé’s OTR II. To me, Beyonce embodies the ultimate woman: strong, resolute and so incredibly talented,”.
As Casey Cadwallader’s recent debut of his Spring 2019 collection creates waves in the fashion world, his impeccable eye for fashion and creative direction will not go unnoticed as the newest man driving Mugler, boldly reinvents it.
Let us know what your favourite piece from the Spring19 Collection is!
