Reality TV star, Mercy Eke has once again raised the fashion bar by recreating Thierry Mugler’s 1995 ‘Birth Of Venus’ dress.
On Wednesday, October 30, the fashion queen took to social media to post photos of her recreation with the caption – “Thierry Mugler’s 1995 ‘Birth Of Venus’ dress.
8 or Ate?”
First of all, Mercy Eke ate with this look and left no single crumb!
Secondly, here’s why this look is iconic in the first place…
This dress is from the legendary Fashion designer, Thierry Mugler’s 1995 haute couture show at Paris’s Cirque d’Hiver.
At the time, when most people thought of runway shows, they expected fashion pieces but Mugler took this to a whole other level!
It was supposed to be a runway show, but he turned it into a collision of fantasy, futurism, and unapologetic glamour.
Mugler at the time, was marking 20 years in fashion and did so with a show that felt less like a runway and more like a total masterpiece that shook the boundaries of high fashion.
During the show, models didn’t just walk down the runway—they made entrances, each with an unmatched attitude and confidence.
The models included the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Jerry Hall dressed in absolute elegance.
There were cyborg-inspired bodysuits, dangerously high heels, and otherworldly pieces sculpted to perfection, each, bringing Mugler’s sci-fi dream to life.
Muggler’s show also had trans models, drag queens, and celebrities from all walks of life – a bold move considering this actually happened way back in 1995.
When Lypsinka, the legendary drag queen, hit the runway, the crowd went crazy.
There was also a mermaid outfit—worn by a model who looked as if she’d emerged from an undersea realm.
Jerry Hall was the model who wore the iconic ‘Birth of Venus’ dress recreated by Mercy Eke.
The dress echoed Botticelli’s painting of Venus rising from the sea and when Hall walked the runway, it was as if Venus herself had descended from the heavens.
By the time the finale hit, it felt like the end of an epic play. Models lined up like characters in a mythological tableau, as Mugler himself took the stage in a rare, show-stopping appearance, solidifying his status as not just a designer but a visionary auteur.
For fashion critics, designers, and fans alike, this show was a landmark moment that would inspire countless designers to embrace fashion as an art form, a form of performance that went far beyond simply showing clothes.
To understand the genius behind that night, here’s a little background info.
Born in Strasbourg, France, in 1948, Thierry Mugler initially trained as a ballet dancer and this was portrayed even in his designs.
He moved to Paris in his early 20s, where he soon made a name for himself with bold, futuristic designs that combined powerful silhouettes with intricate, often architectural tailoring.
Mugler literally took fashion at the time to another level with every collection having a story with a clear vision.
Mugler’s style was unlike anything else of his time. His pieces evoked the femme fatales of film noir, superheroes from comic books, and mythical creatures from fantasy tales.
He was obsessed with perfection and power in femininity, and his clothes often seemed to armor their wearers, elevating them into figures who felt both ethereal and unstoppable.
By the late 80s and early 90s, he had already built a cult following, attracting the attention of stars like Madonna and Grace Jones and influencing the avant-garde culture deeply.
But Mugler’s impact didn’t stop at fashion.
In the 90s, he expanded into fragrance with the launch of his perfume “Angel,” which would become one of the best-selling perfumes in the world, pioneering the use of gourmand scents.
Even though he died in 2022, Mugler’s legacy lives on today, as seen in modern pop culture icons like Lady Gaga, Zendaya, and Beyonce, and now in Mercy Eke’s recreation.
His 1995 show remains one of the most iconic moments in fashion as he showed there’s no limit when it comes to showcasing your passion and art.
