Mugler Madness: Gaga's Theatrics Rule the Runway
The Mugler show was probably one of the most eagerly anticipated across all four fashion capitals this Fall 2011 season. Please note: That's "show," not "collection."
In allowing his best gal pal, Lady Gaga, to strut her stuff, Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti seemed to tacitly acknowledge the supremacy of the flashy theatrics of his runway to the retail-ability of his ready-to-wear (although rumor has it Mugler menswear is doing a roaring wholesale trade right now).
So alongside the aforementioned Ms. Germanotta, there were skintight pencil skirts, latex anthropomorphic body-bulking armor, and shoes that bore a not-so-vague resemblance to McQueen's now legendary Armadillos.
Many a model nearly stumbled. Luckily, they had some nice wooden pillars to hang onto. Gaga, of course, navigated her 9-inchers with the greatest of ease, eschewing any helping hand offered to clamber onto and off of the catwalk.
Those fashion historians amongst you will remember that Madonna pulled a similar stunt about 20 years ago, modeling for Gaultier. Of course, that was before the Internet, Facebook, and the prospect of live streaming an unedited advertisement into a few million homes around the world.
With this offering, Formichetti milked the publicity value of Mugler for all it was worth. The house's namesake, Thierry, would've been very proud indeed.
SEE THE FALL 2011 RUNWAY COLLECTIONS.
