From fashion to fragrance: the story of Mugler
Mugler began as a fashion house. In 1990 the Clarins group took a stake in the company under an agreement to produce its fragrances, and in 1997 it acquired a majority, along with the rights to the Thierry Mugler name. The ready-to-wear line closed in 2003, while the fragrance division carried on. The house's first fragrance, in 1992, pairs praline and chocolate with a bold patchouli accord and belongs to what was then a new genre, the gourmand, which is also where Starlicious comes from. Alien, the house's second major fragrance, dates from 2005.
The Thierry Mugler lines we carry
Alien: the eaux de parfum
Alien Extraintense is an eau de parfum intense that the house presents as an extra take on the Alien signature, with an added dose of jasmine alongside tuberose, a vanilla accord and Cashmeran wood.
From the same family comes Alien Pulp, a fruity floral eau de parfum created by Dominique Ropion, Master Perfumer and the creator of the original Alien, with key notes of raspberry, jasmine, musk and Cashmeran wood.
Starlicious: the eaux gourmandes
The Starlicious scents are gourmand eaux de toilette that the house's perfumers built like little recipes, inspired by summer mocktails, and Mugler assigns each one an olfactory family. Pistachio Praline is fruity and woody, with pistachio and creamy caramel alongside patchouli. Pineapple Musk is floral, fruity and sparkling, pairing pineapple and creamy coconut with a touch of musk. Berry Licorice is fruity and amber, with strawberry and fizzy raspberry set against a licorice accord.
On its own website Mugler also suggests a few "recipes" for layering them, inspired by mocktails, with names like The Creamy Delight, The Yummy Swirl, The Gourmet Berry and The Sweet Kiss.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Thierry Mugler?
Manfred Thierry Mugler was a French fashion designer, born in Strasbourg in 1948, who died in 2022. He presented his first own collection, "Café de Paris," in 1973 and also designed costumes for theater, opera and concerts. His fashion house gave rise to the fragrance line that today carries the Mugler name.
Are Thierry Mugler and Mugler the same brand?
Yes, they are the same brand. The house founded by Thierry Mugler now signs its fragrances simply as Mugler. Since 1997 the Clarins group has held a majority of the company and the rights to the Thierry Mugler name, after first taking a stake in 1990 under an agreement to produce its fragrances.
Who created Mugler's Alien perfumes?
Alien was created by Dominique Ropion, Master Perfumer, and launched in 2005. Ropion is also behind Alien Pulp, the fruity floral eau de parfum from the same family, which according to the house is designed to offer an olfactory experience "you can almost taste."
What's the difference between Alien Extraintense and Alien Pulp?
The two fragrances differ in concentration and in character. Alien Extraintense is an eau de parfum intense built on jasmine, tuberose, a vanilla accord and Cashmeran wood, while Alien Pulp is a fruity floral eau de parfum whose key notes include raspberry, alongside jasmine, musk and Cashmeran.
What are the Starlicious eaux gourmandes?
They are gourmand eaux de toilette that Mugler presents as recipes inspired by the sunniest summer mocktails. They grow out of the house's experience with gourmand fragrances, the genre its first perfume launched in 1992 with praline, chocolate and patchouli.
Can you layer Mugler Starlicious fragrances?
Yes. On its own website Mugler suggests layering recipes with mocktail-style names, such as The Creamy Delight, The Yummy Swirl, The Gourmet Berry and The Sweet Kiss, which combine Pistachio Praline, Pineapple Musk and Berry Licorice in different ways.
Which Starlicious should I choose if I love fruity perfumes?
It depends on the fruit you prefer. Pineapple Musk is floral and fruity, with pineapple and creamy coconut; Berry Licorice has strawberry and fizzy raspberry with a licorice accord; Pistachio Praline is fruity and woody, with pistachio and creamy caramel.
Which Starlicious scents are woody or amber?
Those are Pistachio Praline and Berry Licorice. Mugler describes Pistachio Praline as a gourmand, fruity and woody eau de toilette, with pistachio and creamy caramel accompanied by patchouli. Berry Licorice is gourmand, fruity and amber, pairing strawberry and fizzy raspberry with a licorice accord.
