Miguel Castro Freitas introduces the Lua and the Aurora bags in a visual story that plays with neon-lit surrealism.
Summary
- Miguel Castro Freitas releases his first campaign for the House of Mugler, titled Stardust Aphrodite, photographed by Robi Rodriguez.
- The Spring-Summer 2026 imagery draws inspiration from B-movie surrealism and dream logic cinema to showcase a narrative of mystery.
- The campaign introduces the designer’s first handbags for the label, the Lua and the Aurora, alongside the collection’s razor-sharp tailoring.
The House of Mugler has entered a new visual era. For the Spring-Summer 2026 season, Creative Director Miguel Castro Freitas has released his first campaign since joining the brand. Titled Stardust Aphrodite, the series of images moves away from standard studio portraiture and steps into a world of “neon-lit surrealism.”
Photographer Robi Rodriguez captures the collection through a lens of cinematic atmosphere. The press materials describe the mood as channeling the “hypnotic tension of dream logic cinema,” borrowing visual cues from midnight thrillers and B-movies. The result is a narrative that feels suspended between danger and desire (a familiar dichotomy for the French house) set against nocturnal industrial landscapes and constructed architectural marvels.
The clothing featured in Stardust Aphrodite aligns with this intensity. The images highlight the specific codes Freitas is establishing: razor-sharp shoulders, draped leather, and sculpted tailoring. Models appear armored in crystalline embellishments, cutting a striking figure against the strobe-lit backdrops
This season also marks a significant category expansion under Freitas’s direction. The campaign documents the arrival of his first handbags for the House, introducing two distinct styles named the Lua and the Aurora.
“At Mugler, I’m drawn to strong, glamorous characters where power becomes visceral,” says Castro Freitas. “This campaign, the first part of a trilogy, crystallizes that philosophy. It’s a story of identity and transformation, of strong women who refuse definition.”
The Stardust Aphrodite campaign precedes the collection’s retail arrival. The Spring-Summer 2026 ready-to-wear and the new accessories will land in selected boutiques and online starting in January 2026.
