Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler: a celebrated friendship

The Azzedine Alaïa Foundation celebrates the friendship and collaboration between two iconic fashion figures: Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler. Through a unique exhibition, it traces the history of a creative bond that marked the 1980s and continues to influence the world of haute couture.

Until June 29, 2025, fashion enthusiasts will be able to discover some 40 silhouettes illustrating the artistic dialogue between these two exceptional designers. This retrospective showcases their shared inspirations and how together they shaped a bold vision of glamour and feminine elegance.

A collaboration born of a decisive encounter

It all began in the 1980s, when Thierry Mugler asked Azzedine Alaïa to design a series of tuxedos for one of his fashion shows. This partnership marked the beginning of a professional and friendly relationship that would continue to flourish. Encouraged by Mugler, Alaïa decided to launch his own label, an initiative that would go down in fashion history.

“Companions for a decade that they have stylistically pre-empted, Alaïa and Mugler have freely allowed influences to act on each other’s creations,” explains the exhibition press release. Indeed, the two designers shared a common vision, sublimating women through sculptural silhouettes and daring cuts. They broke with the bohemian trends of the 1970s to reintroduce an aesthetic inspired by Hollywood glamour.

A lasting legacy

Created in 2007, the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of the couturier who passed away in 2017. This exhibition bears witness to his enduring influence and the artistic dialogue he maintained with Thierry Mugler. Today, the House of Alaïa continues to flourish under the direction of Pieter Mulier, true to the designer’s spirit.

📍 Location: Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, 18, rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th
📅 Dates: March 3 to June 29, 2025

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