Lady Gaga

PARIS, Sept 13, 2010 AFP © - The stylist behind Lady Gaga's larger-than-life stage look is taking over as creative director for Thierry Mugler's ready-to-wear lines, the fashion house said on Monday.

Nicola Formichetti, 33, the fashion flair behind the pop diva's elaborate appearance on stage, on screen and on tour, will unveil his first women's and menswear collections for Thierry Mugler for autumn-winter 2011-12.

Born in Japan and brought up between Tokyo and Rome, Formichetti works as stylist for a range of brands including the Japanese high-street giant Uniqlo, and as editor for fashion magazines from Dazed and Confused to Vogue.

"We wanted a young talent who could really bring new energy to the brand," Joel Palix, the chairman of Clarins Fragrance Group and director general of Thierry Mugler, said in the statement.

He said Formichetti was a perfect fit, as a "major actor of contemporary pop culture", with a rich multicultural background and a skill set ranging from "fashion to public relations, image and entertainment".

Formichetti takes over at Thierry Mugler from Rosemary Rodriguez, who held the creative director job for three years.

For womenswear, he will be seconded by Sebastien Peigne, who spent the past decade at Balenciaga, while for men he will work with a young French designer, 28-year-old Romain Kremer.

ThierryMugler.com