Remembering Thierry Mugler: Mugler's Best Fragrances

The perfume world recently lost one of its brightest visionaries. Born on December 21, 1948, Thierry Mugler was known for his avant-garde approach to perfume and haute couture. He began designing for Karim in 1971, and in 1973, he launched his first solo collection.

Five years later, in 1978, he opened his first Paris boutique and gained attention for his tailored designs inspired by vintage glamor and science fiction.

Mugler was committed to inclusivity and representation, challenging the notions of who "belonged" on the runway. His shows often tackled racism and ageism, and he featured many nontraditional models. His highly theatrical fashion shows featured heavy theming around concepts like science fiction, vampires, devils, Africa, the aquatic world, and others.

His first complete haute couture collection debuted in 1992 at the request of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, the governing body of the French high fashion world.

Mugler's approach to perfume was similarly high-concept. His first scent, Angel for Women, was one of the earliest gourmand-style perfumes. Angel is the fifth-best-selling perfume of all time in the United States and even overtook Chanel No. 5 in France.

Before he entered the fashion world, Mugler was a dancer. He began studying classical dance at age 9, and by age 14, he was a member of the ballet corps for the Rhin Opera. Mugler's love of dance infiltrated all aspects of his design sensibilities, and he loved to design for performers. Some of his most famous friendships and collaborations came about with artists like David Bowie, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Diana Ross. Actress Tippi Hedren was a long-time friend and muse as well.

Though officially retired from fashion in 2002, Mugler occasionally returned to collaborate with other artists. He designed Beyoncé's costumes for her 2008 I Am… world tour and Kim Kardashian's Met Gala dress in 2019. Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and other pop musicians have spearheaded an interest in his vintage designs in recent years, making the brand highly coveted for resale among Gen Z.

Up to the end, Thierry Mugler was interested in treating the human body like an instrument. To him, dance, fashion, art, and fragrance were all aspects of humanity that could be pushed and pulled, manipulated to create something new and beautiful.

Mugler's trademark was to always take things a step further and push the envelope on what the fashion world deemed acceptable. This was true of his perfumes as well.