Earlier today Chandler Burr revealed that the second installment in his Untittled series for OpenSky was Mugler Cologne. It was a good choice, I guess, for this weird and unpleasant summer as attention span and patience are at an all time low. Mugler Cologne requires very little of both.
I don't have any 4711 at hand so I can't argue the finer points of a comparison, though I seem to remember (at least for the 4711 cologne of yore from my youth) a more natural and slightly bitter aroma. Not that Thierry Mugler has ever tried or meant to create a natural impression. The alien creature and otherworldly terrain from the ad campaign point us in a very specific direction: cleaner than clean in a pure and utterly inhuman way.
How did Mugler and Alberto Morillas, his perfumer, managed to reach this level of futurism with classic and sunshiny notes such as citrus and white musk? The marketing materials claim that there's a secret ingredient, something they called "S-note". Spock? Probably not as he was half-human and Mugler Cologne is far too logical and emotionless even for a Vulcan. The husband suggest Seven-of-Nine, which kind of fits here. Borg juice, anyone?
Mugler Cologne offers a very moderate sillage and not too bad a longevity for what it is. If you use upwards of 2 ml per application it will last for several hours, making you feel nicely laundered and thoroughly scrubbed if that's what you're after. The price is certainly fair, but I admit that I much prefer the Old World charm of Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino with its Old World grime exactly because it has no traces of a laundromat.
Notes: bergamot, neroli, petit grain, white musk
Mugler Cologne by Thierry Mugler ($60, 3.4 oz) is available from Macy's.
Mugler Cologne 2002 ad via imagesdeparfums.fr (photographed by Thierry Mugler himself, photoshopped by who knows who).
7 of 9 via entertainment.desktopnexus.com.
I was convinced for a bit that S01E02 was L'Eau Serge Lutens.... but it didn't have the Serge's interesting ironing board accord. My Serge sample was pretty much on fumes, so I didn't get to compare it much. Burr's remark that it had been around for years also didn't fit.
ReplyDeleteIn the long run, I really didn't wear S01E02 all that much over the past month. My 30 ml bottle will satisfy whatever Mugler Cologne needs I may have for the next 50 years. I'm not sure I will continue with the series.
I know it sounds nuts, but I find Uncle Serge's L'Eau much sexier than Mugler Cologne. The ironed white shirt ends up being worn by a human body. As for your neglected Cologne bottle, you can do what my mom has always done with any 4711 that found its way into the house: use it for cleaning and disinfecting phones, door handles and light switches.
DeleteFor all the hate L'Eau Serge got when it came out, I find myself appreciating it more and more. If it ever gets a major discount, I may buy it. Anyway, all your remarks here are completely on the mark!
DeleteMugler does a *cologne*??? I really don't get that.
ReplyDeleteAlso - are that woman's breasts prosthetics? Gracious!
I love your descriptions and images in this post, Gaia, especially Mugler's cheeky and eerie portrayal of "unisex"!
ReplyDeleteS01E02/Mugler Cologne smelled somewhat like CB's description a bit harsh to me. I need to test that Tom Ford. ~~nozknoz
Lol! I adore Mugler Cologne and the squeaky "steam clean" note it has- my husband smells delicious in it. Oddly enough every time I sniff TF Neroli Portofino, it smells more and more like Bobbi Brown Beach. It was such a let down, as I really wanted to get husband something other than Mugler Cologne to wear. Ended up with Acqua di Parma Colonia #win
ReplyDelete