Miguel Castro Freitas succeeds Casey Cadwallader at Mugler

Mugler, renowned for its fantastical fashion featuring curved lines and figure-revealing mesh, has today announced Miguel Castro Freitas as its new Creative Director, effective 1 April.

The seasoned unknown graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2004 and has since held senior design roles at Sportmax, Dries Van Noten, Christian Dior Couture, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Lanvin. He will show his first Mugler collection during Paris Fashion Week this September.

Freitas succeeds Casey Cadwallader, who recently stepped down from the French fashion house after seven years. Since his appointment in 2018, Cadwallader has become known for dipping his toes into the iconic brand's archives, giving fans of fashion the nostalgic looks they craved. In May 2023, he even partnered with H&M on a collaborative collection, garnering the brand further hype.

In a release issued by Mugler, Global President Danièle Lahana-Aidenbaum, said: "Miguel lives and breathes the Mugler spirit.

"His deep understanding of Mugler's DNA and his vast creativity and talent made him a natural choice."

Miguel Castro Freitas

Adrian Corsin, Managing Director of Mugler Fashion, added that Freitas' love and knowledge of Mugler's couture codes and heritage will be a "limitless source of storytelling to propel the house into the future."

Mugler, the fashion brand synonymous with female empowerment, launched more than four decades ago with the vision of founder Thierry Mugler, who passed away in January 2022 at the age of 73.

It was one of the first designer brands to champion diversity in its runway shows, which often tackled racism and ageism, and incorporated non-traditional models such as drag queens, pornstars and transgender women. The brand later broke into the beauty space with the iconic fragrances Angel and Alien and was acquired by beauty giant L'Oréal in 2019.

Freitas said: "It is an honour to join the spectacular house of Mugler. As one of the 20th century's great couturiers, Mr Mugler reimagined the power and limits of fashion. Alongside the teams, I am thrilled to bring my own vision, story and emotion to this monumental heritage."