Mugler Lets Go of Its Most Recent Creative Asset

Mar 31, 2025by Lukka Belyavskiy

Casey Cadwallader Steps Down as Creative Director of Mugler:

Yet another major designer's creative director has stepped down: Mugler’s - Casey Cadwallader. Since his start in December 2017, Cadwallader has served nearly eight years as the creative director of Mugler.

Cadwallader contributed to major aspects of Mugler's revived success following multiple campaigns, collaborations, and launches, from Mugler's 2023 collaboration with H&M to strategic celebrity campaigns with Bella Hadid, Hunter Schafer, Beyonce, and so many more.

Cadwallader is also known for establishing a newly refreshed brand image for Mugler, surrounding a daring depiction of women and their distinct beauty. Additionally, the Mugler image expands to empower women by embracing an alluring energy; championing all women, from curvy women to trans women to even LGBTQ+ women.

Who Will Take Over as Mugler’s Creative Director:

Miguel Castro Freitas is set to replace Cadwallader. Originally born in Portugal, he immediately entered the luxury fashion industry after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2004. Although Freitas entered the market of designer fashion, his experience is not in design or creative direction.

Freitas has most notably working at industry giants such as Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, until landing his biggest role as head of tailoring at Christian Dior. With this said, Freitas has nearly 20 years of experience in luxury fashion.

What is Mugler's future Considering This Change:

Mugler's future is quite uncertain at the moment, considering there is much unknown surrounding the brand's expansion. Freitas has minimal experience in fashion's creative department and this may lead to a miscommunication of Mugler's image.

Furthermore, although it is unknown why exactly Cadwallader was let go by Mugler, it is not unreasonable to assume this change was due to fashion's constantly evolving needs. Expectations of utmost relevance, recurring sales, and new trends require constant adaptation; even if this means hiring a new creative behind a brand.

Cadwallader established a very distinct image for Mugler, with a clear connection to the values of the brand. The question stands; will Freitas successfully expand Cadwallader's trajectory? Or, will he revert to an unrelated perspective unaligned with Mugler?