Casey Cadwallader

Casey Cadwallader (born August 15, 1979) is an American fashion designer who served as the creative director of Mugler from 2018 to 2025.[1][2][3] By making luxury-style clothing more accessible and subverting the company's traditional approach to live runway shows, Cadwallader has been recognized for revitalizing Mugler's profile.[4][5]

Early life and education

Cadwallader grew up in rural New Hampshire.[6] His early creative inspirations revolved around cars, which he frequently sketched and re-branded with new logos.[7] This early fascination with form and function developed further during his studies in architecture at Cornell University, where he explored the relationship between clothing, furniture, and architectural design.

He cited designers such as Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, and Charles James. While at Cornell, Cadwallader and several architecture classmates took courses in the university’s fashion program, leading to his first internship at Marc Jacobs.

Career

Early in his career, Cadwallader worked for Gluckman Mayner Architects to design new Versace stores. He went on to hold design positions at Narciso Rodriguez, Loewe, and Acne Studios.[8]

In 2018, he was appointed creative director of Mugler. His tenure was noted for a strong emphasis on inclusivity,[9][10] with runway and campaign work featuring models of diverse body types, including transgender models and artists from contemporary cultural scenes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cadwallader transitioned from live runway shows to film. Collaborating with DIS magazine and Torso directors David Toro and Solomon Chase, produced a series of short films featuring models such as Bella Hadid, Shalom Harlow, Amber Valletta, and Lourdes Leon, as well as actresses, artists, and musicians such as Megan Thee Stallion, Chloë Sevigny, and Dominique Jackson. The fashion and film campaign closed with a performance by ballerina Maria Kochetkova, dedicated to the late Thierry Mugler.

Signature elements of Cadwallader’s Mugler collections included bodysuits with integrated corsetry, vinyl-effect jersey garments, and denim constructed without traditional side seams.

Cadwallader stepped down from his position at Mugler on March 25, 2025.[11]

References

  1. ^ Holgate, Mark (2018-05-09). "Casey Cadwallader, the New Man at Mugler, Talks About Taking On the Legendary French Label". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  2. ^ "Casey Cadwallader | BoF 500 | The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry". The Business of Fashion. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  3. ^ Trebay, Guy (2023-04-10). "Calling All Bodies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  4. ^ Maguire, Lucy (2024-09-26). "Behind the scenes: Mugler steps into the light". Vogue Business. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  5. ^ Testa, Jessica (2023-05-11). "Why Are All Those People Outside H&M, Again?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  6. ^ "i-D / i-Dentity Podcast - Casey Cadwallader, the boundary-pushing creative director of Mugler". podcasts.i-d.co. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  7. ^ "i-D / i-Dentity Podcast - Casey Cadwallader, the boundary-pushing creative director of Mugler". podcasts.i-d.co. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  8. ^ Blackmon, Christopher (2024-01-10). "An American in Paris: Casey Cadwallader's Mugler". Document Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  9. ^ "Casey Cadwallader on His Creative Vision for Mugler". Love to All Project. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  10. ^ "TOTAL VISION". Harvard Design Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  11. ^ "Casey Cadwallader Dressed the Best in Mugler—from Bella Hadid to Beyoncé". Harper's BAZAAR. 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
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