French fashion designer Thierry Mugler has died at age 73.
The designer's team shared the news via his personal Instagram account on Sunday.
"We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022. May his soul Rest In Peace," the statement read. His agent told Agence France-Presse that he died of "natural causes".
The designer was popular throughout the 1980s and 1990s and recognised for his extravagant, avant-garde, cinched-waist silhouettes, and the Mugler name became well-known in the '90s thanks to the best-selling perfume Angel.
Throughout his career, Mugler dressed entertainment giants such as George Michael, David Bowie, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Cardi B. He officially retired from his brand in 2002, but came out of retirement on several occasions, including for the launch of his ready-to-wear brand, Mugler.
In his retirement, he designed the costumes for Beyonce's 2009 I Am... tour, which showed off dramatic shoulders and waistlines. Kim Kardashian summoned the designer out of retirement again for the 2019 Met Gala and he created a wet-look latex dress dripping in crystals.
His agent Jean-Baptiste Rougeot told AFP that the designer had been due to announce new collaborations early this week.
Many celebrities have paid tribute to Mugler online, with Beyonce uploading a photo of him to her website alongside the words "rest in peace" and supermodel Irina Shayk writing, "Gone to soon (heartbroken emoji) God of fashion .. a rarely REAL, kindness , sweetest .. u ll be always missed by your Russian (sic)."
