Manfred Thierry Mugler: A Life in Fashion Early Life and Influences Born Manfred Thierry Mugler on December 21, 1948, in Strasbourg, France. From a young age, he displayed an interest in art and performance, beginning ballet lessons at nine years old and joining the Rhin Opera’s ballet corps by fourteen. He also pursued formal training in interior design at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts, laying the foundation for his later architectural approach to fashion. Early influences included a fascination with science fiction, fantasy, and the power of theatrical presentation. C…