Estelle Hallyday, Thierry Mugler, Lypsinka, Ivana Trump, and Jeff Stryker
In the wake of Manfred Thierry Mugler's death, many have been reflecting on the iconic designer's legacy. Having had a decades-long career in the fashion industry, he was a theatrical innovator. His garments were supremely crafted, and their attention-grabbing nature was possibly only bested by the over-the-top shows they were exhibited in. Mugler was a leader in the fragrance space, his debut scent Angel still showing up on best-seller lists. And he certainly knew how to get people talking.
Mugler's show castings were, in ways, before their time. He was a pioneer in the realm of casting celebrities as models. And back in the early 1990s he was one of the first designers to cast out trans models consistently -- Roberta Close, Teri Toye, and Connie Fleming were in the mix. And they were cast alongside some of the world's top-billing supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, as well as celebrities. For the Spring 1992 show, this came as a specific mix.
Ivana Trump walking Thierry Mugler Spring 1992
The show itself was titled Les Cowboys and notably included a famed motorcycle-inspired bustier that was later worn in George Michael's Too Funky" video and that Beyonce became so obsessed with that she hired Mugler to do the costumes for her "I Am..." world tour. The much-discussed stunt casting of the event was one recently divorced Ivana Trump. She wore three looks on the runway.
But she wasn't the only one: in line with the Western theme, gay adult star Jeff Stryker came down in all leather. While on the catwalk he stripped off his chaps to reveal fringed leather underwear. He reflected on the moment years later on Facebook.
"I was a little inebriated he wrote. "I love Thierry Mugler."
Jeff Stryker walking Thierry Mugler Spring 1992
Others on the runway included Campbell and Niki Taylor. Taylor wore the aforementioned motorcycle corset. They were also joined by the legendary drag performer Lypsinka. The drag artist even put on a full performance during the show. In it, she undressed, reveal after reveal to the sounds of Cyd Charisse.
Connie Fleming also made her return to the Mugler runway for the show. Many of the models repeated the performance in California in April 1992 to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles. That sold-out event brought in a reported $500,000 for the cause.
Lypsinka walking Thierry Mugler Spring 1992
Connie Fleming walking Thierry Mugler Spring 1992
Jeff Stryker walking Thierry Mugler Spring 1992
