Nicola Formichetti and French Label Thierry Mugler Part Ways

French fashion house Theirry Mugler has “mutually agreed” to part ways with Nicola Formichetti, its creative director of two years. Hired in 2010 after gaining notoriety as Lady Gaga’s stylist (she walked in his debut runway presentation), Formichetti is credited with reinvigorating the sleepy brand. In his five seasons as creative director of both the label’s men’s and women’s lines, Formichetti produced entertaining runway shows with a millennial appeal. His space-age designs however, often received mixed reviews.

In a release issued to The Daily Beast, Joel Palix, the president of Clarins Fragrance Group and director general of Mugler said “In the two years of his tenure Nicola has accomplished our original mission of bringing his energy to the brand…Nicola has been instrumental in attracting a new audience which is undeniably crucial for the future strategy of the house.”

Formichetti is understood to be widely influential within fashion social media circles and currently holds nearly 210,000 followers on Twitter. His reach is especially strong in Japan--a bluechip retail market. In the Mugler-issued release Formichetti says, “It was a challenge to re-invigorate the house for a new generation and audience, particularly one that has grown up exploring fashion through the Internet.” At press time Formichetti had not yet dispatched new word on his departure. However on Monday he tweeted, “Big announcements coming this week!!,” a statement which was followed by no less than four emojis.

Palix is expected to announce a new “strategic plan” for Mugler that will bolster the label’s “highly successful legacy in fragrance and its new momentum in fashion.” The brand would not disclose a time frame for the announcement.