Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler Exhibition

‘Azzedine Alaïa - Thierry Mugler: 1980-1990 Two Decades of Artistic Affinities’ at Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Paris

(Image credit: Photography by Stéphane Aït Ouarab)

Two of the most celebrated couturiers of the late 20th centuries, Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler had the type of friendship I could only dream about. Supportive and caring, the two men inspired each other’s designs, shaping women into the wasp-waisted hourglass figures of their dreams.

The latest exhibition at the Alaïa Foundation features their work in conversation with each other’s, much as I imagine their real life conversations might have happened. Reading the press release on the museum’s website, you begin to understand how much we owe Thierry for encouraging Azzedine to show his work to clients and fashion editors. Without him perhaps Alaïa would never have had the nerve to invite the top fashion press to his apartment on Rue de Belchasse to be amazed by his incredible craftsmanship.

Their similarities are evident in their bodies of work, Alaia as the “King of Cling” with his perfectly cut clothes for confident women and Mugler who always used women’s strength as the underlying theme for all of his work. Their love of form is shared. The differences are more evident when we look at Alaïa’s propensity for off-calendar showings in his intimate studio versus Mugler’s many huge fantasy extravaganzas tantamount to a stage show. I am interested especially to see how Mugler’s clothes will feel standing right next to Alaïa’s in this museum (that once was Alaïa’s old showroom) instead of part of a loud and large exhibition or fashion show.

Here, we are viewing Mugler through the lens of Alaia, which could reveal some simple truth about the quality of his work, which is easily overlooked in his flamboyant productions. Often, a flashy performance of fashion serves to hide a shoddy or uninspired garment, but in this stripped-down location, Mugler’s designs can be appreciated for their craftsmanship. It feels like a quiet conversation between two friends whose love and respect for each other allowed them to show themselves through their work to Paris, the world, and now us.

If you have the chance to read the exhibition description on the museum’s website, I encourage you to enjoy this beautifully poetic examination of their friendship.

If you would like a guided walk through this unique and charming museum, you can visit it with me as part of a day trip or during my special group tours available this October. Let’s go to Paris!