Casey Cadwallader and Mugler: End of an Era?

Mugler’s Next Big Move: Is Casey Cadwallader on His Way Out?

It looks like another luxury fashion house is gearing up for a game of musical chairs. Mugler @muglerofficial and its creative director of eight years, Casey Cadwallader @cadwallader, might soon be parting ways. The fashion grapevine is buzzing with rumors that Cadwallader could exit the brand as early as this spring, adding yet another name to 2024’s growing list of designer departures.

So, is this just another case of the industry’s ever-shortening attention span, or is Mugler about to take a bold new direction? Let’s investigate.

Mugler Skips Paris Fashion Week: A Sign of Things to Come?

If you were hoping to see a Mugler spectacle at Paris Fashion Week (March 3–11), brace yourself for disappointment. The brand is notably absent from the provisional calendar—an absence that only fuels speculation that something is shifting behind the scenes. Could it be because Cadwallader’s tenure is ending, and the house is in transition mode?

Fashion houses don’t just sit out of Fashion Week for fun. Usually, it’s a sign that a major shake-up is happening behind closed doors.

Casey Cadwallader: The Designer Who Revived Mugler

Cadwallader’s impact at Mugler has been undeniable. Since taking the creative reins in 2017, he has redefined the brand’s aesthetic with his architectural silhouettes, gender-fluid designs, and curve-hugging, futuristic pieces. His work has been a hit among celebrities—think Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Dua Lipa—who have all donned his jaw-dropping creations.

His tenure saw the revival of Mugler’s signature high-gloss, high-drama aesthetic, making the brand a favorite for red carpets and music videos alike. So, if he really is leaving, what’s next for the house—and for him?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MUGLER (@muglerofficial)

The Fashion Industry’s Revolving Door Spins Again

If Cadwallader does step down, he’ll be far from alone. 2024 has already been a year of creative director shake-ups.Let’s recap:

Sabato De Sarno left Gucci after an underwhelming tenure.
Kim Jones exited Dior’s menswear division.
Pierpaolo Piccioli parted ways with Valentino.

If Mugler joins this list, it will only solidify what we already know: creative directors in fashion today have about the same job security as a TikTok trend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casey Cadwallader (@cadwallader)

What’s Next for Mugler?

If Cadwallader is truly stepping away, the next question is: who will take over? Will Mugler continue with his ultra-modern, body-conscious aesthetic, or will they pivot back to something else entirely? Maybe they’ll try the “nostalgia” card and bring back an old favorite? (Thierry Mugler himself may no longer be with us, but his influence certainly is.)

Then there’s the Casey Cadwallader question: Where will he go next? Will he land at another luxury house, take time off, or—who knows—start his own label?

The Irony of It All

Fashion houses beg for reinvention, but they rarely give designers enough time to fully execute a vision. Cadwallader spent eight years reshaping Mugler—a lifetime by today’s standards—but even that might not be enough for the notoriously impatient industry. If the rumors are true, it’s just another example of fashion’s endless pursuit of change for the sake of change.

So, is Mugler about to announce a new creative chapter? Probably. Will we be here in two years writing the same article about whoever replaces Cadwallader? Absolutely.