Miguel Castro Freitas Takes Over Mugler: Meet the New Creative Director

The Portuguese designer, Miguel Castro Freitas, has worked behind the scenes at Dior, YSL, and Dries Van Noten—now he’s stepping into the spotlight of Mugler.

Photo: Courtesy of Mugler

Fashion’s game of musical chairs continues! If you’ve been keeping up with the rapid shifts in the industry, here’s the latest: Miguel Castro Freitas has just been announced as Mugler’s new creative director. He’s stepping in to replace Casey Cadwallader, who led the brand for seven years and made it a go-to for celebrities like Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Megan Thee Stallion.

So, who is Miguel Castro Freitas? If you’re a fashion insider, his name might ring a bell—but for most, he’s been working behind the scenes at some of the biggest luxury houses. Now, it’s his time to shine.

Born in Santarém, Portugal (just outside Lisbon), Freitas has had a long and impressive career. After earning his degree from the prestigious Central Saint Martins in 2004, he got his start at Dior under the legendary John Galliano, focusing on haute couture and custom looks for A-list stars. He later moved on to Yves Saint Laurent, where he designed womenswear under Stefano Pilati, followed by a stint at Lanvin with Alber Elbaz.

Freitas continued to build his fashion résumé by taking on major roles at Dries Van Noten and leading Sportmax as creative director from 2021 to 2024. Now, he’s stepping into one of the most exciting roles in fashion—leading Mugler into its next era.

His first collection is expected to debut this fall, joining a wave of other high-profile designer shake-ups, including Matthieu Blazy at Chanel and Demna at Gucci.

As for Cadwallader, his next move is still a mystery—but given the constant movement in fashion, we’ll likely see him in a new creative role very soon.

Mugler has always been about bold, sexy, and boundary-pushing fashion. Will Miguel Castro Freitas keep that energy alive? We’ll have to wait and see, but one thing’s for sure—his debut will be one to watch.