
Mugler is a luxury perfume brand known for its unique and disruptive fragrances. The brand was founded by Manfred Thierry Mugler, a French fashion designer who launched his eponymous fashion house in the 1970s. Mugler's first fragrance, Angel, debuted in 1992 and pioneered a new family of perfumes called 'gourmand', characterised by sweet and foodie notes. The brand has since released several other successful fragrances, including Alien, Womanity, and Angel Muse. Mugler fragrances are created in collaboration with various perfumers, such as Jacques Courtin-Clarins, Yves de Chiris, and Quentin Bisch, and are known for their bold and singular bottles. The brand is committed to creating fragrances with a responsible idea of luxury and offers a unique refillable bottle service. Mugler has also cultivated an avant-garde approach to fashion and perfume, defying categorisation and time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Manfred Thierry Mugler |
| Brand owner | L'Oréal Group |
| Fragrance creators | Jacques Courtin-Clarins, Yves de Chiris, Jacques Huclier, Christophe Laudamiel, Alberto Morillas, Louise Turner, Quentin Bisch, Christine Nagel, Dominique Ropion, Laurent Bruyere, Veronique Nyberg, Pierre Aulas, Fanny Bal, Nathalie Lorson, Marie Salamagne, Jean-Christophe Hérault, Olivier Cresp, Yves de Chirin, Aurélien Guichard, Sidonie Lancesseur, Amandine Clerc-Marie, Dorothée Piot, Domitille Michalon Bertier, Anne Flipo, Francoise Caron, Sonia Constant, Daphné Bugey, Christophe Raynaud, Nathalie Feisthauer, Olivier Polge, Alexis Dadier, Fabrice Pellegrin, Shyamala Maisondieu, Mane, Ralf Schwieger, Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Serge Majoullier |
| Fragrance families | Gourmand, Woody-Earthy, Warm & Spicy, Woody Floral, etc. |
| Notable fragrances | Angel, Angel Men/A*Men, Alien, Womanity, Angel Muse, Angel Nova, Angel Elixir, Aura Mugler, Innocent, Les Exceptions, Les Liqueurs de Parfums, Les Parfums de Cuir, Mirror Mirror Collection, Mugler Cologne, The Taste of Fragrance |
| Notable fans | Diana Ross, Barbara Walters, Eva Mendes, Hillary Clinton, Hunter Schafer, Lady Gaga, Cardi B |
| Other products | Cosmetics, eau de parfums, minis, gift sets, rollerballs, travel sprays |
| Brand philosophy | Disruptive, unique, bold, singular, avant-garde, experimental, sensual, creative, hyper-characterized, hyper-sensual, hyper-inventive |
| Refill policy | Refillable at the Fountain or at home with refill bottles |
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What You'll Learn
- Mugler is a luxury perfume brand, part of the L'Oréal Group
- The first fragrance, Angel, was launched in 1992
- Angel was created in collaboration with Jacques Courtin-Clarins of Clarins
- Perfumer Yves de Chiris added patchouli to prevent the fragrance from being overly sweet
- Angel was followed by male fragrance A*Men in 1996, and Alien in 2005

Mugler is a luxury perfume brand, part of the L'Oréal Group
Mugler is a luxury perfume brand known for its unique and experimental fragrances. The brand was founded by Manfred Thierry Mugler, a French fashion designer, in the 1970s. Mugler's first fragrance, Angel, was introduced in 1992 and became a huge success, pioneering a new family of perfumes called 'gourmand'. The scent combines sweet notes of praline, chocolate, and caramel with patchouli to create a unique and addictive fragrance. Angel continues to be a best-seller and has inspired dozens of flankers, including a male version, A*Men, released in 1996.
Mugler's creative vision reflects a singular view of the world, defying categorization and time. The brand cultivates an avant-garde and experimental approach, satisfying the need for the extraordinary. Mugler fragrances are known for their bold and innovative combinations of scents, such as the woody-floral Alien Eau de Parfum, which features notes of lavender, cashmere wood, and white amber. The brand also places importance on the design of its bottles, creating iconic and artistic shapes like the star-shaped Angel bottle.
In addition to its perfumes, Mugler has expanded its offerings over the years. In 2008, the brand launched Thierry Mugler Beauty, a high-end line of cosmetics. Mugler has also collaborated with various artists and celebrities, such as Beyoncé, for whom they designed costumes for her "I Am... World Tour". Mugler's vintage designs have also seen a resurgence among celebrities like Lady Gaga and Cardi B. The brand has a strong focus on individuality and diversity, creating a vibrant community that celebrates uniqueness.
As part of the L'Oréal Group, Mugler continues to innovate and disrupt the selective industry. L'Oréal aims to position Mugler fragrances as a disruptive force with surprising and unique scents, bold bottles, and powerful communication campaigns. The brand embraces a responsible idea of luxury, believing that economic success should go hand-in-hand with a positive contribution to society and environmental sustainability. Mugler's fragrance bottles, for example, are designed as refillable pieces of art, reducing waste and encouraging eco-friendly practices.
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The first fragrance, Angel, was launched in 1992
Mugler's first fragrance, Angel, was launched in 1992. The perfume was created by French fashion designer, creative director, and creative adviser of Mugler, Manfred Thierry Mugler. Angel pioneered a new family in perfumery: the 'gourmand'. It was also Mugler's first perfume for women.
To create Angel, Thierry Mugler approached Jacques Courtin-Clarins, head of the Clarins skincare and fragrance empire. The perfume contains a combination of praline and chocolate mixed with a strong accord of patchouli. The patchouli was the idea of perfumer Yves de Chiris, who wanted to counterbalance the sweet notes of candyfloss, caramel, and chocolate, which were inspired by Mugler's memories of a childhood fairground. The Angel bottle, in the shape of a faceted star, was created by the Brosse Master Glassmakers.
Angel was a huge success and became one of the best-selling perfumes of the 20th century. It continues to be a best-seller and was inducted into the Fifi Awards Hall of Fame in 2007. In 1996, Mugler followed up Angel with a male version, Angel Men or A*Men, which includes notes of caramel, coffee, vanilla, patchouli, and honey. Angel and Alien, another Mugler bestseller, together produce about $280 million in sales annually.
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Angel was created in collaboration with Jacques Courtin-Clarins of Clarins
Mugler is a well-known luxury brand of fragrances and fashion. The brand was founded by Manfred Thierry Mugler, a French fashion designer, in the 1970s. Mugler's first fragrance, Angel, was launched in 1992 and pioneered a new family in perfumery: the 'gourmand'. It was created in collaboration with Jacques Courtin-Clarins, head of the Clarins skincare and fragrance empire.
Thierry Mugler approached Jacques Courtin-Clarins to create Angel. Mugler was a revolutionary designer who had already made a significant impact in the world of fashion. He sought a partner who could translate his brand into the world of fragrance. The result was Angel, a fragrance with notes reminiscent of candyfloss, caramel, and chocolate. These sweet, edible notes were balanced by an unusually high concentration of 30% woody patchouli, added to prevent the scent from becoming overly saccharine.
The unusual combination of sweet and earthy notes proved to be a winning formula, and Angel became one of the best-selling perfumes of the 20th century. It continues to be a popular fragrance for both women and men, with its star-shaped bottle and bright, fresh finish. The success of Angel led to the creation of dozens of flankers, including a male version, A*Men, which was released in 1996.
The collaboration between Mugler and Clarins extended beyond the creation of Angel. Clarins kept the perfume division of Mugler open after shuttering the ready-to-wear component of the brand in 2003 due to financial losses. Mugler himself stepped away from the fashion industry in 2002, focusing his creative energies on other ventures, including directing and costume design. The Mugler brand continued to thrive, launching new fragrances and cosmetics lines, and collaborating with various artists and creatives.
Angel was a groundbreaking fragrance that not only introduced a new category of scents but also reflected Mugler's unique and experimental vision. The collaboration between Mugler and Jacques Courtin-Clarins of Clarins brought together two innovative forces, resulting in a fragrance that continues to captivate and intrigue people even today.
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$115

Perfumer Yves de Chiris added patchouli to prevent the fragrance from being overly sweet
Mugler is a brand of fragrances owned by the L'Oréal Group, which is part of the L'Oréal Luxe Division. The brand was founded by Thierry Mugler, who is known for his unique and experimental creative vision. Mugler fragrances are known for their boldness, singularity, and responsibility to luxury. The brand aims to inspire people to embrace their true selves and be disruptive.
One of Mugler's most notable fragrances is Angel, which was developed by perfumers Olivier Cresp and Yves de Chiris and debuted in 1992. Angel is known for its unusual combination of sweet and earthy notes, including bergamot, helional, hedione, red berries, dewberry, honey, patchouli, vanilla, coumarin, chocolate, sandalwood, and caramel. The fragrance has been described as "arresting and sensual," and its unique blend of notes has resulted in a dedicated following.
Perfumer Yves de Chiris, a descendant of the Chiris French perfume dynasty, played a significant role in creating the Angel fragrance. De Chiris added patchouli to the fragrance to prevent it from being overly sweet. The patchouli, with its earthy and woody notes, counterbalanced the sweet notes of candyfloss, caramel, and chocolate, which were inspired by Thierry Mugler's memories of a childhood fairground. The result was a juxtaposition that worked remarkably well, fusing gourmand temptations with an unexpectedly masculine earthiness.
De Chiris's addition of patchouli to Angel was intentional and carefully considered. With an unusually high concentration of 30% patchouli, he struck a balance between the fragrance's sweet and earthy elements. While some found the combination jarring, others appreciated its complexity and uniqueness. Over time, Angel has gained a dedicated following, with many praising its beautiful balance and intriguing character.
In addition to his work on Angel, Yves de Chiris has also created other notable fragrances throughout his career. As a member of the Chiris dynasty, he has contributed significantly to the world of perfumery, both through his own creations and his involvement in the family business.
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Angel was followed by male fragrance A*Men in 1996, and Alien in 2005
Angel, a groundbreaking perfume by Thierry Mugler, debuted in 1992. It pioneered a new family in perfumery: the 'gourmand', with its edible notes and unusually high concentration of 30% woody patchouli. This prevented the fragrance from becoming overly sweet, as it was inspired by Thierry Mugler's memories of a childhood fairground, with notes of candyfloss, caramel, and chocolate.
Following the success of Angel, Mugler launched the male fragrance A*Men in 1996. A*Men is an adventurous, brave, and virile scent. It features woody, smoky flavours, including intense patchouli, and sleek bourbon vanilla. The fragrance is also accented by notes of coffee, honey, tar, burnt sugar, and herbs. Mugler describes the scent as "sophisticated yet rugged" and ideal for any situation.
In 2019, Mugler unveiled Angel Amen Ultimate, a daring and modern fragrance that serves as the pinnacle of the Angel Amen line. It opens with invigorating notes of bergamot and green mandarin, followed by heart notes of spicy cappuccino and nutmeg. The fragrance is anchored by base notes of cedarwood, patchouli, and musk, creating a sensual depth.
Alien, another Mugler fragrance, was released in 2005. It has an exotic and sensual scent, with both aromatic and woody notes. Alien Man, the male version of the fragrance, is described as having mysterious tones and an otherworldly olfactory experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Mugler perfumes are made by the Thierry Mugler brand, which is owned by the Clarins group and distributed by the L'Oréal group.
Thierry Mugler, born Manfred Thierry Mugler, was a French fashion designer, creative director and creative adviser of the Mugler brand. He founded his eponymous fashion house in the 1970s and retired from the brand in 2002, returning in 2013 as a creative adviser.
Mugler's first perfume was Angel, which debuted in 1992. It pioneered a new family in perfumery called 'gourmand' and became one of the best-selling perfumes of the 20th century.
Mugler has released several other perfumes, including Alien (2005), Womanity (2010), Angel Muse (2015), Angel Nova (2020) and Angel Elixir (2023). The brand also has a successful line of men's fragrances, including A*Men (1996) and Angel Men (2007).
Mugler perfumes are available at Sephora and other major retailers. You can also purchase them directly from the Mugler website.











































