If you're obsessed with fashion that feels like it's beamed in from the future, you already know Mugler. Renowned for its bold, sculptural silhouettes and unapologetic glamour, the brand has defined a certain kind of powerful, avant-garde style that pushes fashion forward.
Mugler’s designs are wearable works of art, blending sharp tailoring with daring cuts that make a cinematic statement. For those who love this boundary-pushing aesthetic, here are 18 similar brands that belong on your radar.
Often called the "Lord of Darkness," Rick Owens offers a luxe take on avant-garde fashion with a gothic, grunge-infused twist. His collections are famous for their dark, monochrome palettes, draped silhouettes, and artfully layered pieces that are both rebellious and incredibly chic. Expect everything from signature leather jackets and platform boots to sculptural separates and ready-to-wear.
While Mugler leans into futuristic glamour and sharp lines, Rick Owens presents a moodier, more organic vision of experimental fashion. If you love Mugler's statement-making power but crave something a bit darker and edgier, a piece from Rick Owens is a must-have. Prices are luxury-tier, comparable to Mugler's ready-to-wear lines.
Shop now at www.rickowens.eu
Gareth Pugh is celebrated for visionary, sculptural designs that are more wearable art than simple clothing. With a penchant for dramatic forms, geometric cuts, and experimental materials like PVC and metal, his work is consistently avant-garde. Like Mugler, his focus is on creating powerful silhouettes that challenge conventional ideas of fashion.
What sets Pugh apart is his truly fearless approach to form, creating pieces that feel like walking sculptures. His aesthetic is perfect for anyone who loves Mugler’s high-concept vibes and wants to take their experimental style to the next level.
Shop now at www.garethpugh.com
Hussein Chalayan is a true innovator, known for blending technology, architecture, and art into conceptual fashion. His collections often feature transformative garments - dresses that change shape, pieces with hidden technological elements - that feel both futuristic and intellectually stimulating. His work shares Mugler's boundary-pushing spirit, but with a strong focus on concept and functionality.
While Mugler channels sculptural glamour, Chalayan explores themes of identity and technology through his mechanical designs. It's the perfect brand for those who want their clothing to not only make a statement but also spark a conversation.
Shop now at husseinchalayan.com
Founded by the legendary Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons is a cornerstone of avant-garde fashion. The Japanese brand is known for its deconstructed designs, experimental silhouettes, and a proudly anti-fashion attitude. From architectural dresses to asymmetric separates, CDG constantly challenges norms, just like Mugler.
What makes CDG unique is its blend of intellectual minimalism and theatricality, creating pieces that are both wearable puzzles and high-concept art. Fans of Mugler's structural pieces will find a different, but equally compelling, design language to explore here.
Shop now at www.comme-des-garcons.com
Yohji Yamamoto is a master of poetic, avant-garde design, renowned for his oversized silhouettes, masterful draping, and predominantly black palettes. His work expresses a sense of artful rebellion through fluid, voluminous forms that are both comfortable and empowering. Like Mugler, he fundamentally reshapes the human form through clothing.
While Mugler is structured and futuristic, Yamamoto's aesthetic is more organic and flowing. It’s a softer, more romantic take on avant-garde fashion that still packs a powerful punch, appealing to those who appreciate expert craftsmanship and subtle drama.
Shop now at www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp
Under the direction of Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga has become synonymous with a futuristic, deconstructed aesthetic. Known for its exaggerated proportions, tech-inspired accessories, and instantly recognizable oversized sneakers, the brand expertly blurs the lines between haute couture and streetwear. It champions the kind of bold, experimental shapes that Mugler fans love.
Balenciaga’s unique appeal comes from its ability to turn everyday silhouettes into high-concept fashion. It captures Mugler's confident spirit but channels it through a contemporary, often utilitarian, lens that feels perfectly in tune with today's culture.
Shop now at www.balenciaga.com
Issey Miyake is world-famous for its innovative approach to textiles, best known for its signature garment-pleating technology. The result is clothing with architectural, geometric shapes that combine art, comfort, and cutting-edge design. The brand’s focus on sculptural, highly textured pieces aligns perfectly with Mugler's love for structural fashion.
Miyake’s genius lies in creating pieces that are both visually complex and remarkably easy to wear. If you’re drawn to Mugler’s dynamic silhouettes but want something with a more playful, tactile feel, Issey Miyake is the perfect fit.
Shop now at www.isseymiyake.com
Alexander McQueen is the epitome of theatrical, boundary-pushing fashion, built on a foundation of dark romanticism and impeccable technical skill. The brand is known for its dramatic runway shows and collections that feature intricate craftsmanship, dramatic silhouettes, and gothic-inspired details. Like Mugler, McQueen is all about creating unforgettable fashion moments.
What differentiates McQueen is its ability to blend brutal strength with delicate beauty, telling beautiful, often provocative stories through clothing. While Mugler's vision is often futuristic, McQueen finds its power in history, nature, and raw emotion, offering a similarly potent avant-garde feel.
Shop now at www.alexandermcqueen.com
The design duo Viktor & Rolf is famous for their conceptual haute couture collections that function as wearable art. Their designs often feature exaggerated volumes, surreal details, and theatrical shapes that blur the line between fashion and sculpture. They share Mugler's talent for transforming clothing into a powerful, artistic statement.
Viktor & Rolf’s signature is their often witty, sometimes whimsical take on avant-garde fashion. If you love Mugler's show-stopping forms but are drawn to a more playful and art-focused aesthetic, this is the brand for you.
Shop now at www.viktor-rolf.com
A true pioneer of deconstruction, Maison Margiela is built on an experimental and conceptual foundation. The brand plays with reconstruction, asymmetry, and unconventional materials, reimagining classic garments with a raw, often unfinished edge. Their work is intensely intellectual and consistently ahead of the curve.
Maison Margiela is the perfect edgy alternative for Mugler lovers who appreciate innovation in silhouette and form but prefer a more conceptual, anti-glamour approach. It’s avant-garde fashion for those who appreciate the thought behind the seams.
Shop now at www.maisonmargiela.com
An alum of Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe is a master of cutting-edge design that blends technical fabrics, intricate construction, and streetwear sensibilities. His collections are packed with deconstructed trench coats, innovative denim, and futuristic tailoring that appeals to anyone with an eye for experimental fashion.
Watanabe stands out for his ability to transform functional garments into highly artistic pieces that challenge traditional silhouettes. For those who admire Mugler's futuristic vision, Watanabe offers a more utilitarian yet equally daring aesthetic.
Shop now at doverstreetmarket.com
While often seen as more minimalist, Hedi Slimane's era at Celine champions a sharp, powerful silhouette that will appeal to certain Mugler fans. The focus is on impeccably sharp tailoring, lean monochrome looks, and a cool, rock ‘n’ roll energy. The structured shoulders and clean lines echo Mugler's love for defined shape.
Celine offers a more streamlined and refined take on high-impact fashion. If you appreciate the sculptural quality of Mugler but prefer an aesthetic that’s less futuristic and more grounded in sleek, modern classics, you’ll love the powerful simplicity of Celine.
Shop now at www.celine.com
Iris van Herpen creates otherworldly haute couture by fusing fashion with technology, science, and architecture. She is a pioneer of 3D-printing in fashion, creating breathtaking, sculptural garments that mimic natural forms like water, sound waves, and wings. Her work is the pinnacle of futuristic, avant-garde design.
Like Mugler, van Herpen creates powerful, body-conscious silhouettes, but her methods and materials are completely unique. Her creations feel less like clothing and more like futuristic exoskeletons or organic art pieces. This is the brand for the true avant-garde connoisseur who wants looks from the year 3000.
Shop now at www.irisvanherpen.com
For a different take on dramatic fashion, The Vampire's Wife offers a dark, romantic, and gothic-inspired aesthetic. The brand is beloved for its hyper-feminine silhouettes, like frilled prairie dresses and figure-hugging gowns, often rendered in luxurious velvets, silks, and metallic fabrics.
While Mugler’s drama comes from futuristic power, The Vampire's Wife finds it in vintage glamour and mystical storytelling. It’s perfect for those who want to make a captivating statement with a softer, more romantic edge.
Shop now at www.thevampireswife.com
Under Olivier Rousteing, Balmain has become synonymous with bold, opulent, and immaculately structured fashion. His designs are recognizable by their strong padded shoulders, intricate embellishments, and a powerful, warrior-like glamour. Balmain delivers sexy, statement-making pieces with a rebellious spirit.
Balmain shares Mugler's love for a powerful silhouette and high-impact style, but amps up the glamour and sensuality. Both brands project an image of unapologetic confidence, making Balmain a perfect choice for anyone who lives for a head-turning look.
Shop now at www.balmain.com
Ann Demeulemeester is renowned for her poetic, gothic-lite aesthetic that balances strength and fragility. Her designs center on a nuanced exploration of tailoring, with a focus on flowing black fabrics, layered textures, and artful asymmetry. It’s a darkly romantic vision that feels both mysterious and elegant.
Unlike Mugler's sharp futurism, Ann Demeulemeester offers a softer, more moody approach to avant-garde style. It's the perfect brand for those who find power in subtly dramatic silhouettes and masterful, understated detail.
Shop now at www.anndemeulemeester.com
Rihanna’s defunct Fenty luxury fashion house was known for mixing streetwear with bold, experimental silhouettes. Though the high-fashion line is gone, her Savage X Fenty brand carries that same boundary-pushing DNA into lingerie and loungewear, combining vibrant colors, unique textures, and inclusive designs that celebrate boldness and confidence.
Like Mugler, Fenty champions empowerment and isn't afraid to push boundaries. It translates that avant-garde spirit into a more accessible context, perfect for those who want to feel bold every single day, not just on special occasions.
Shop now at savagex.com
Paris-based label Y/Project is a favorite among fashion insiders for its deconstructed, gender-fluid designs that brilliantly play with volume and proportion. Creative Director Glenn Martens is a master of experimental tailoring, creating twisted jeans, multi-layered outerwear, and architectural separates that can be worn in multiple ways.
Y/Project shares Mugler’s love for sculptural fashion but channels it through a more rebellious, streetwear-inflected lens. It’s ideal for avant-garde enthusiasts who appreciate wearable art with a playful, youthful spirit.
Shop now at www.yproject.fr
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