NEW YORK, NY.- Azzedine Alaïa, Thierry Mugler, 1980-1990: Two Decades of Artistic Affinities, new this fall from Damiani Books, features the work of fashion icons Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler—contemporaries, collaborators, and friends who influenced each other’s fashion designs in form, fluidity, and abstraction.

In 1979, Azzedine Alaïa met Thierry Mugler, beginning a deep friendship and creative collaboration that would profoundly influence the fashion landscape of the 1980s. That same year, Mugler invited Alaïa to design a series of tuxedos for his fall/winter collection, publicly acknowledging the credit. Mugler’s support was crucial to Alaïa: he introduced him to key figures in the fashion world and played a major role in convincing him to stage his first show in New York in 1982, even helping to organize the event.

Together, they shared a stylistic vision that celebrated powerful femininity, sculpted silhouettes, and an elegance inspired by Hollywood glamour, a stark contrast to the folkloristic trends that had dominated the previous decade.

Edited by Carla Sozzani, with an introduction by Jack Lang and texts by Olivier Saillard, Laurence Benaim, and Carla Sozzani, Azzedine Alaïa, Thierry Mugler, 1980-1990: Two Decades of Artistic Affinities complements a recent exhibition at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in Paris.

The book presents a curated selection of 35 Thierry Mugler designs alongside 35 of Azzedine Alaïa's own creations, tracing the simultaneous evolution of their careers and the notions of line, silhouette, and shape that they freely exchanged with one another.

Azzedine Alaïa (1935–2017) was recognized for his extraordinary mastery of tailoring, which placed him on the same level as fashion legends such as Balenciaga and Vionnet. An avid collector, he amassed over 15,000 pieces by the greatest masters in fashion history, from the 18th to the 21st century.

Thierry Mugler (1948–2022) was a French fashion designer known for his bold, theatrical creations and avant-garde approach to fashion. He founded his eponymous brand in 1974. His collections, often featuring futuristic and fantastical elements, conveyed a powerful sense of power and sensuality, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion world. Beyond clothing, he extended his talents to fragrances, photography, and costume design. Mugler's legacy is defined by his revolutionary contribution to haute couture and his iconic creations.



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