“Power” is the word that defines Mugler’s Fall-Winter 2026/27 show. With the title “The Commander,” this may seem obvious, but in this case it was truly earned. The show builds on an ongoing series as part two of A Trilogy of Glorified Clichés. Creative Director Miguel Castro Freitas uses the series to explore the concept of power dressing, a cornerstone of the Mugler legacy.

Considering the vision of Manfred Thierry Mugler, Castro Freitas contemplates the ever-changing aesthetics of power and how they present in modernity. In his own words, “this show intends to acknowledge that self-empowerment is the most potent antidote of clarity to the oppressive forces and grey political climate that surrounds us at this very moment, and most of all, it’s a manifesto of the highest power that we should never forget to reclaim: freedom.”

Military details, corporate wear, art deco, the sources of inspiration for this collection are varied, echoing a vast depth of knowledge informing the creative process. The concept looks to turn workwear, corporate wear, other functional ensembles, into a self-assured empowerment. Architectural construction of garments is achieved through Bauhaus principles, implying authority by the presence of such structure. Structure is a theme inherent to Mugler, sharp corners appear in wearable garments to attract rather than repel. 

The opening look set the tone for the show: a pinstriped long coat left open, allowing a hint of cleavage to show. The cinched waist of the coat is an example of what comes next. Following the opening look, almost every other look features the same cinched waist, accentuating the natural bodily form. 

The styling remains playful: a pair of green tights appears beneath an elevated evening gown, paired with green gloves cuffed by a thick gold bracelet. The color palette emerges in jewel tones—emerald green, ruby red, and cobalt blue.

The show concludes strongly with a luxurious oversized coat and an off-the-shoulder dress, both made of fur. The two looks, arguably some of the strongest of the collection, established the breadth of work presented by Castro Freitas who has an ability to reflect on the historical and envision the future.