Casey Cadwallader Promotes Mugler’s SS22 Collection with a Star-Studded Film
Mugler’s creative director for about four years now, Casey Cadwallader, has taken the reins and put together a collaborative, inclusive film for Mugler’s new Spring/Summer collection. The avant-garde film is filmed in Los Angeles with Torso Solutions, taking us on an escapade through the backlots of Hollywood and scenes from the streets of New York. This is the last installment of the fashion film trilogy and the first collection since Thierry Mugler passed away in January. Cadwallader chases illusion while showing trippy clips and unique movements from his models while playing bizarre music to match the eccentric tone of the collection.
Megan Thee Stallion opens the film wearing a denim bustier and cut out jeans that accent the female figure, which Mugler is notorious for. The looks continue into more body-hugging silhouettes, catsuits, bodysuits, slinky bustier tops, reconstructed blazers paired with cigarette trousers, and hoop earrings that are so big it could fit six arms. He explores signature looks of Mugler in this collection with the ombre dresses attached to sculpted collars referencing the 1998 haute couture collection. Cadwallader also replaces lycra with denim and references Mugler’s segmented tailoring.
Cadwallader tells Interview Magazine in response to the butt-lifting garments, “It’s about working with what you’ve got, and I think that that’s much more the spirit of today—being proud of who you are and being proud of how your body is different, what parts of it are great.”
Featuring Amber Valetta and Shalom Harlow sharing a kiss, Barbie Swaee, Chloë Sevigny, Aweng Chuol, Bella Hadid and many more… The film is not something you should skip out on watching. Models strut and dance through the Hollywood backlot as the camera quickly transitions to the streets of New York then to the studio with white backdrops. The models are provocative, sexy, and intense as they show off the many looks of the new collection.
The clothes seem very niche as if they are only made for the stage, but it makes us feel that much more unique wearing it. Cadwallader knows this collection is very skin-baring so he plans to dial it down a little in the future, however for now, Cadwallader is having a blast.
The film celebrates performance and reaches a huge audience. Mostly everyone has social media. This video can spread to millions of viewers versus a runway show that has a select amount of people. It closes with a sensual, yet eclectic dance by ballerina Maria Kochetkova while wearing an archival sheer sequin Mugler halter dress, which was a favorite of Mugler’s as mentioned by Cadwallader. Most of all, it ends with a heartfelt tribute to Thierry Mugler.
Cadwallader isn’t too quick on returning to the traditional runway, he mentions having too much fun doing crazy things.
Some images from the collection: