Suit
1989-1990
Buick collection, autumn-winter 1989–90
Medium
wool, silk (satin), plastic (sequins), metal (fastenings)
Measurements
(a) 68.0 cm (centre back) 67.0 cm (sleeve length) (jacket)
(b) 59.0 cm (centre back) 32.5 cm (waist, flat) (skirt)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift Program, 2023
Gallery location
Level 3 foyer
Level 3, NGV International
About this work
Known for his razor-sharp suiting, Thierry Mugler explicitly referenced sci-fi futurism and 1950s American car culture in his 1989 Buick collection. With its curved lines, this outfit is a mechanical reimagining of the 80s power suit as armour. Meanwhile the nearby jacket, skirt, earrings, shoes and brooch reference automobiles. The latter accessory features ‘radiator grille’ peplum panels attached to a bullet-shaped ‘indicator light’ brooch. These works highlight the designer’s hard-edged aesthetic and longstanding interest in the relationship between human and machine.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
France
Inscription
(a) label, centre back neckline, woven in silver on purple polyester: THIERRY MUGLER / (woven in black) PARIS / (vertically) MADE IN FRANCE
(b) label, left back wasitline, woven in silver on purple polyester: THIERRY MUGLER / (woven in black) PARIS / (vertically) MADE IN FRANCE
Accession Number
2023.185.a-b
Department
International Fashion and Textiles