Miley Cyrus released a new visual album, including an incredible collection from the late designer Thierry Mugler. The album cover features Mugler’s legendary “Spider” look front and center. This bold outfit was one of many from his remarkable spring 1997 couture line, “Les Insects.” This visual decision serves to highlight the spectacle and opulence that is characteristic of Mugler’s runway productions. It’s an almost perfect match with the emotional poignancy of Cyrus’s film.
Cyrus’s visual album not only highlights Mugler’s “Spider” look but incorporates designs from his fall 1998 collection. These special pieces channel a vampy, dark-yet-romantic vibe that meshes perfectly with the ethereal mood of the project. The resultant creation has been hailed as a marriage made in heaven of Mugler’s fashion artistry and Cyrus’s outlier artistic spirit.
Over the years, Mugler’s designs have played a pivotal role in shaping Cyrus’s style narrative. His impact is felt all over her journey as an artist. Mugler’s team worked with Cyrus and costume designer Bradley Kenneth to produce a wow-worthy visual album. Collectively, they narrowed it down to an incredible range of archival looks. For this reason, the design team was given the most extensive collection of Mugler’s archives ever shipped to one person. This amazing acquisition created opportunities for them to explore deeply into millennia of sartorial history.
Kenneth expressed his enthusiasm for this new collaboration. She continued, The silhouettes in this project cover such a vast period of fashion history. We drew from designers who’ve contributed to Miley’s style narrative over the course of the decade I’ve been intimately involved in her life. This approach ensured that each piece not only resonated with Cyrus’s artistic expression but celebrated Mugler’s enduring legacy.
If one had to choose an aspect that impacts the visual album’s greater atmospheric production the most, it might be the archival aesthetics. Kenneth went on to illustrate the life-changing potential of these designs. He continued, “What’s most exciting is watching the clothes begin to move and come to life on Miley. It’s the most rewarding moment — seeing her really embrace these pieces in such a strong, totally original way.” This shared connection transforms the album from a simple attempt to show off fashion into a tribute to Mugler’s sheer artistry.
Mugler’s “Spider” look was inspired by the enchanting way morning dew glistens on a spiderweb, embodying both nature and sophistication. The decision process included thoughtful moodboarding to make sure every piece was fitting for the album’s artistic vision. Kenneth continued, “Miley isn’t only wearing the history of fashion—she’s rejuvenating it.”
The visual album is meant to celebrate Mugler’s groundbreaking contributions to fashion. It’s a testament to how his designs continue to rise above time and trends. Kenneth illustrated this feeling well. He continued, “These appearances go beyond trends, and the influence of these moments will keep inspiring and creating the future for years to come, just like Miley herself.”
Cyrus definitely is as an artist. Her fruitful partnership with Mugler really shows us how powerful fashion is to create a long-lasting mark on culture. The visual album allows audiences to see—and feel—the mesmerizing creative synergy between the designer and the performer. It underscores their creative vision towards reinventing tradition in fresh and dynamic ways.