This fall the Kunsthal Rotterdam proudly presents the first retrospective on French creator Thierry Mugler. This major exhibition will reveal the multiple universes of this undeniably artistic figure – visionary couturier, director, photographer and perfumer – in a retrospective of his work, especially his ready-to-wear and haute couture creations. Initiated, produced and circulated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Clarins Group and the Maison Mugler, the exhibition’s world premiere will launch in Montreal in March 2019. As collaboration partner, the Kunsthal Rotterdam will be the second stop and the first venue in Europe to show this spectacular retrospective.

“I have always been fascinated by the most beautiful animal on Earth: the human being. I have used all of the tools at my disposal to sublimate this creature: fashion, shows, perfumes, photography, video… I am not a person who dwells in the past, but the MMFA, through Nathalie Bondil, was the first to propose to me to stage my creations and imagine together a free, global and reinvented artistic vision. How could I refuse?” said creator Manfred Thierry Mugler.

Spectacular and immersive
The exhibition ‘Thierry Mugler: Couturissime’ brings together more than 140 ensembles, most of them on display for the first time, created between 1973 and 2001, as well as many never-before seen accessories and stage costumes, clips and videos, archival documents and sketches. A hundred works by the greatest contemporary fashion photographers such as Avedon, Bourdin, Goude, LaChapelle, Newton, Ritts, Issermann round out the exhibition. Many of the immersive galleries have been designed by artists such as Michel Lemieux and Philipp Fürhofer, and special effects studio Rodeo FX. London-based designer Tord Boontje has also created Swarovski crystal chandeliers for one of the galleries. The mannequins were custom-made by Hans Boodt Mannequins, Rotterdam.

Singular imagination
‘Thierry Mugler: Couturissime’ traces the path of an exceptional creator who revolutionized fashion with morphological and futuristic cuts, and glamorous, sculptural and elegant silhouettes; strict lines and super-heroine shoulders; and a corseted waist dressing a sublime, sensual and powerful woman in constant metamorphosis. The exhibition offers a dive into his singular imagination, to encounter by turns his perfectionism, Hollywood-style prestige, dreams, exotic creatures, eroticism, and science fiction. It will explain his audacious choices, such as using innovative materials in high fashion such as metal, fake fur, vinyl and latex.

Emily Ansenk, Director Kunsthal added: “We are very proud to be able to present yet another fashion icon to the Dutch public this autumn. The Kunsthal has established a strong tradition in programming world renowned fashion exhibitions in the Netherlands – from Jean Paul Gaultier and Peter Lindbergh to Viktor &Rolf – and we consider it a great honour to be the first venue in Europe to show this special retrospective of Thierry Mugler. We are looking forward to a renewed collaboration with Nathalie Bondil, Thierry-Maxime Loriot and all partners involved.”

Curatorial Credits
The exhibition is curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot under the direction of Nathalie Bondil, Director General and Chief Curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The original exhibition design and adaptation is by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, under the direction of Sandra Gagné, Head of Exhibitions Production.

Born in Québec City (Canada), Thierry-Maxime Loriot worked in the fashion industry before becoming an exhibition curator. This exhibition marks the fourth collaboration between Loriot and Kunsthal Rotterdam. He curated the MMFA’ exhibition ‘Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk’; the Kunsthal produced travelling exhibition ‘Peter Lindbergh: A Different Vision on Fashion Photography’ which had its world premiere at the Kunsthal (2016) and also curated ‘Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years’ first presented at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne followed by its presentation at the Kunsthal in Summer 2018 to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pair. He also authored the books that accompanied these exhibitions. He currently signed the creative direction of Rufus Wainwright ‘All These Poses World Tour’ 2018–2019.