The News: Balmain SS19 fashion show featured three looks that are exact copies from Mugler’s past collections.

The Scandal: During the Balmain SS19 fashion show, attendees were shocked to recognize several iconic looks from Thierry Mugler’s 70s, 80s, and 90s runway shows. Almost identical copies of three different styles came down the catwalk, call this a homage? No one seemed to think so. Thierry Mugler, himself, called them copies. 

Here are the images he shared on his Instagram stories:

Evidently, the entire SS19 collection was inspired by 70s/80s style, especially with the exaggerated silhouettes. But Broad Rounded Shoulders and strong corset bustiers seemed to mimic Mugler’s signature design aesthetic. Olivier Rousteing copied Mugler’s designs up to a scandalous level, and this didn’t go unnoticed. For the metal bustier, some people can say it is an exact replica, and others might say it was “inspired by.” While the bustier was accessorized differently, the other two designs are blatant copies of Mugler specific designs. Shame on you, Olivier Rousteing.

In 1973, Mugler created his first personal collection called “Café de Paris.” The style of the collection was both sophisticated and urban. In 1976, she asked him to show his work in Tokyo for an event organized by Shiseido. In 1978, he opened his first Paris boutique at the Place des Victoires in the 1er Arrondissement). At the same time, Thierry Mugler launched a fashion collection for men. For this collection, he reworked classical masculinity, giving it a definitively modern style. A clean, precise, structured cut that outlined a highly recognizable silhouette: prominent shoulders, both “anatomical, and classic,” for a dynamically slender look.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Thierry Mugler became an internationally recognized designer, and his collections garnered much commercial success. At the request of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, he completed his first haute couture collection in 1992. 

His clothes are identified by their style and structure. Mugler, over the next two decades, created a style that was very much of its time: it was strong, angular, and sometimes almost cruel. Shoulders were broad and padded; waists were wasp-like. Prints were banished: Mugler’s clothes came in solid, dominating colors. Collars had exaggerated points or flame-like cutouts. The insect kingdom was a constant influence, as were the ladies and gentlemen of film noir. PVC was often used as his material for his runway pieces, used to create space and robot themes.

Thierry Mugler created the famous black dress worn by Demi Moore in the 1993 movie Indecent Proposal.

Mugler remains at the forefront of fashion for over three decades.

Embracing modern women, with all of her curves, the CUSHNIE sportswear collection is designed to highlight all of the best features of the female body.

Created for all shapes and sizes, the flattering silhouettes and sharp detailing have infused a much-needed update to the drab sportswear uniform.

That’s why it makes so much sense that the New York brand, designed by Carly Cushnie. I would do so well designing activewear. With all of the sexy details that Cushnie is known for, in addition to the functional detailing that sportswear requires. This includes eight-way stretch, revolutionary use of double-faced fabric and, for an extra touch of sexiness, laser cutouts, and more.

The CUSHNIE body collection translates empowerment for a woman in a way that most sportswear brands seem to miss. Sexy lines with street sensibility create a perfect union of modern urban style and feminine chic.

At the helm of her namesake label as CEO and Creative Director, Carly Cushnie sets forth with a mission to empower women. Established in 2008, the label was founded on the desire to serve the modern woman and artfully crafted with clean, sculptural lines. Defined by the balance of proportion, structure, and fluidity, the CUSHNIE aesthetic embodies a refined sense of cosmopolitan minimalism and femininity.

Embracing the modern woman, with all of her curves, the CUSHNIE  sportswear body collection is designed to highlight all of the best features of the female body. Created for all shapes and sizes, the flattering silhouettes and sharp detailing have infused a much-needed update to the drab sportswear uniform.

This Spring, incorporating easy city street style like the cotton twist dresses and tees, the Cushnie client does work out often but also wants to look good, going to and from workouts. Looking good makes an impact.

But, the line is more than just for sweating it out on the treadmill. Cushnie says that it “serves as a lifestyle collection, and as an extension of the brand’s ready-to-wear.” She also views the collection as a chance to extend the wardrobe of her already-chic clientele. “Cushnie active allows me to dress my woman for the casual aspects of her day, with styles including metallic jackets, flare pants and jumpsuits—all in luxe knitwear, neoprene, and performance materials.”

Cushnie says her brand’s style made the transition into an activewear line very simple. “The Cushnie aesthetic is ultra-clean and modern—serving as the perfect foundation for sleek, minimal activewear, designed with the same architectural lines and sculptural silhouettes.”

Embracing the modern women this collection is designed to highlight all of the best features of the female body.

The Spring 2019 catwalk balanced hi-tech futurism with 1990s minimalism that’s become synonymous with the brand’s aesthetic.

This season we have seen a turn away from streetwear and a shift towards elevated deconstruction.

The Australian designer’s SS19 show at New York Fashion Week set the stage with what seemed like a toned down, nude looks. But at second glance, there was nothing simple about them. The intricate construction, asymmetry, textured layering, and exaggerated silhouettes – all of these elements transformed the models into a legion of apocalyptic femme Fatales. These women were powerful and unafraid of their sexual selves, turning a sense of futuristic warriors into a contemporary feminine quality.

Dion Lee specializes in sleek, modern, and sexy silhouettes. “Privacy just felt like an interesting touchpoint in terms of how people approach their bodies and communicate themselves,” he said post-show.

He homed in on privacy as the watchword influencing the aesthetic mood, showing a stellar collection underscored by refined deconstruction and reconstruction.

He expanded on last season’s idea of fusing lingerie into clothing, playing with lace barriers to control what people see and don’t see. “We built these underpinnings into the clothes,” he added. “The idea was to blur them together so you couldn’t tell which was the garment, which was the lingerie.” A black cutout dress, for instance, featured a delicate lace slip underneath that appeared inseparable.

It made for a beautiful lineup that challenged the eye. The opening tailored jackets illustrated the idea best: asymmetric, constructed with the illusion of being pulled back, or with halves to show different parts of the body. He managed to inject sensuality and modern minimalism into the impeccably tailored suits and structured jumpsuits that came down the runway.

DION LEE SPRING 2019 – REFINING DECONSTRUCTION

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