“This is a microcosmos in metamorphosis where taboos dissolve. In our evolving ways of looking at the world around us, do we choose to see the beauty in it, or are we fearful of it, because we are reminded of who we truly are.” – Miguel Castro Freitas
For Spring Summer 2027, Miguel Castro Freitas takes Mugler further into the wilderness with Naturalia X, the third and final chapter of A Trilogy of Glorified Clichés. Presented as a psychedelic encounter between humans, animals and the natural world, the collection strips away anything polite in favor of something more sensual and surreal. It is nature viewed through Mugler’s distinctly theatrical lens. Among the guests was Alexis Stone, who arrived transformed into the late Manfred Thierry Mugler, setting the tone for a collection deeply connected to the house’s theatrical DNA.
The silhouettes slip between eras, bringing Art Nouveau curves, 1960s futurism and contemporary body consciousness into the same world. Tailoring follows organic lines, with sinuous peplums formed through fine micro pleating, while sculpted Mikado silk creates almost totemic shapes. A corseted green leather gown falls into a moss-like drape, feline-patterned pantaboots climb the legs, and insect-inspired décolletés turn the body into something almost otherworldly. Elsewhere, feathers disguised as cheetah spots sit beneath organza, synthetic hair trails from a dress and silver paillettes introduce an underwater shimmer.
The collection is at its most compelling when the natural and artificial collide. Translucent flowers made from plastic bottles emerge from crocodile embossed jackets, while iridescent floral fringes create suspended gardens against rougher materials. Black leather becomes a nocturnal surface for dimensional flowers, creating a world that feels part jungle, part fantasy and part science fiction. Across 32 screens, a video and audio installation by Casper Sejersen and composer Teho Teardo with Björk expanded the collection’s fascination with nature, desire and the mechanical gaze.
“Björk is much more than a muse for me. She is a symbol of self-expression and absolute freedom,” Miguel stated in notes.
The connection with Björk continued beyond the runway. On the same day as the Paris show, the artist wore a custom Mugler look from the Naturalia X collection for a DJ performance in Poland, taking Castro Freitas’s strange botanical universe directly from the catwalk into performance. It feels like a fitting pairing for a collection so invested in the meeting point between fashion, music, art and transformation.
There is also a strong emphasis on specialized craftsmanship, with 28 project pieces developed alongside artisans including Maison Février for feathers, Cécile Feilchenfeldt for knitwear, Matisse di Maggio for latex, Charlie Le Mindu for hair, William Amor for his sculptural work with discarded materials and Anne Gelbard for material experimentation. It is a suitably maximal ending to Castro Freitas’s trilogy, honoring Manfred Thierry Mugler’s fascination with the body, transformation and fantasy while pushing the house further into its own strange garden of earthly delights.
Credits:
Creative Director: Miguel Castro Freitas
Stylist: Robbie Spencer
Hair: Louis Ghewy
Make-up: Karin Westerlund
Manicure: Cam Tran
Casting: Rachel Chandler at Midland Agency
Movement Director: Michael-John Harper
Creative Production & Set Design: Villa Eugenie
Videographer & Photographer: Casper Sejersen
Music Direction: Teho Teardo
Video Credits: Björk – Possibly Maybe (Original video directed by Stéphane
Sednaoui) & Venus As a Boy (Original video directed by Sophie Muller) videos (Casper
Sejerson video remix) – One Little Independent Records Ltd
Music Credits: “A Different Nature” original composition by Teho Teardo, featuring Björk.
Björk – Öll Birtan – Master – One Little Independent Records Ltd/Warner Music Group,
Publisher – Kobalt Music Publishing.
