Mugler has a new creative director

Confirming the rumors that had been circulating since February, Mugler has officially appointed Miguel Castro Freitas as the new creative director. Freitas, who has held senior roles at brands such as Sportmax, Dries Van Noten, and Dior, will take over from Casey Cadwallader, whose departure was announced on the same morning. Cadwallader led Mugler for the past seven years, concluding his tenure with a lookbook for the FW25 collection. His exit marks a new era for the brand, which had managed to return to prominence thanks to the widespread appreciation of Cadwallader's collections. However, it had not fully regained the great glory of its past, especially in Haute Couture, instead choosing to re-establish its presence in the ready-to-wear sector, which was brought back to relevance through black-insert jeans and form-fitting bodysuits. Having arrived at Mugler from Acne Studios, Cadwallader played a key role in redefining the brand’s aesthetic over the years, successfully guiding it through the difficult times of Covid and essentially putting it back on the fashion map with a completely new concept of ready-to-wear aimed at Gen Z. His departure suggests that the brand is looking to elevate its collections and explore new creative territories after having solidified its foundation.

Freitas will officially assume his new role on April 1 and will present his first collection during Paris Fashion Week this fall for the SS26 season. Danièle Lahana-Aidenbaum, global president of Mugler Fashion and Fragrances, expressed great confidence in the new creative director, stating: «Miguel embodies the spirit of Mugler. His deep understanding of the brand’s DNA and his vast creativity and talent made him the natural choice». There is hope that Freitas will be able to move the brand’s fashion offerings beyond youthful ready-to-wear and carry out a rebranding similar to the one successfully executed by Nicholas Di Felice at Courrèges. Since 2019, Mugler has been owned by L’Oréal, with a significant portion of its revenue coming from best-selling perfumes such as Angel and Alien. As a result, the brand might have more room for theatricality and fantasy in its shows, creating brand recognition and elevating its image through viral runway moments while reserving ready-to-wear for its commercial collection—similar to what happens with Nina Ricci. The new creative director, in any case, shows great promise: having graduated in womenswear from Central Saint Martins in 2004, he has previously worked with Julie Verhoeven, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Lanvin. His background in dance, in fact, connects him to the legendary founder of the maison, Manfred Thierry Mugler, who passed away in 2022.