In 1992 perfume history was made. Perfumers Olivier Cresp and Yves de Chiris collaborated on and Parfums Mugler released what would become one of the best-selling perfumes in the world. Bottled in star shaped flacon and filled with juice that reminds one of the Blue Fairy, Angel has created a wide wake. Not only in the Industry itself (by way of sheer sales volume and an infinite number of flankers), but as a polarizing scent people (usually) either love or hate.
Legend has it that Thierry Mugler went to a fortune teller prior to becoming famous. She looked at his palm and noticed the lines made a star shape. She advised him that if he were to incorporate this shape in all his designs he would be world famous. He did as she advised him, and the rest is, well…history. This has gone on to become one of Mugler’s most popular scents, and some say his flagship fragrance.
Adored and worn by females ranging from 15 year old High School girls to women in their mid-sixties and beyond, Angel did something no other perfume (at that time) had done: it united the fruity floral and the oriental gourmand into something utterly unique. Angel captures and combines pieces of sweet innocence and blends it with naughty, heady floral notes and glazes it with a delicious oriental sweetness that captures your attention and makes a statement. On first spraying this, sweet fruits like melon and coconut greet the nose garnished with the zest of mandarin. A sweet candied accord prevails, yet their saccharine nature is kept in check by a spicy cassia and a sheer bergamot. As playful as it is beautiful, it becomes something sensual and mysterious as it was innocent just moments before. This is just one of the contradictions that are encapsulated in this fragrance.
Other reviewers have called this everything from perfumed perfection to Agent Blue to the scent of an exotic dancer. I believe the truth lies somewhere in between these. A bombastic blend of flowers resides in the heart of Angel. An almost bacchanalian blend of orchids, aromatic roses, buttery jasmine and a shy lily of the valley have been sprinkled over juicy stone fruits of dark plums, ripe peaches and sun filled apricots. The resulting product is decadent and almost sinful. Tart red berries giggle, as honey is dripped and drizzled over all of it. Naughty and irreverent, yet whimsical and endearing, this whispers sweet but shouts sexy. As naughty and provocative as a stripper and as sweet as a girl in a Sunday dress, she confounds as she enthralls.
One of the things that make so many of Mugler’s perfumes outstanding is his choice of patchoulis. Here the patchouli is dark and almost foreboding, and it is delightfully dirty. Warmer notes, like amber and tonka bean, add an oriental flair grounded in a smoky vanilla and sultry musk. Gourmand notes of chocolate, with all its sinful creaminess, and caramel, sticky and smooth, give this a tasty and somewhat heavy flavor. All of this may be too much for some; but, for those who like their perfumes sweet and powerful it results in an almost carnal bliss. Projection is immense and its longevity is amazing. Many people only imagine angels as pure beneficent creatures who only do good, kind deeds and bless people; they often forget that angels are actually God’s warriors and rained fire on Sodom and Gomorrah and smote the wicked.
Imbued with otherworldly power and a celestial demeanor, Angel has been aptly named, bottled and marketed. Angels are said to be surrounded by the magical scent of incense resins, flowers and a bright (almost blinding) light. This perfume is no different. Shining brightly and burning as intensely as a falling star, it ignites passion (either for or against it) wherever it goes. It is advertised by women who possess stunning beauty, striking features and goddess-like figures who are wearing iridescent and heavenly creations by Thierry Mugler. They manage to breathe life into the “image” this perfume actually projects. Angel does live up to its name and the media hype surrounding it. Even though you may not like it; just remember one thing. My grandmother used to say “Love and hate are horns on the same goat”, in other words: passion is passion.
Eva Mendes, the first Latina to be featured in an Angel Campaign
Love it or hate it, one thing remains an indisputable fact. Sales figures don’t lie, and perfumes that aren’t loved don’t continue to sell. Millions of women (and some men) can’t be wrong. Like her or not, it seems that Angel is here and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. If you can’t seem to stand her or just can’t abide wearing her, don’t feel bad. It takes a special kind of mortal to love and embrace an angel!
Thanks to Thierry Mugler we have a 0.80oz refillable bottle of Angel EDP to give away. To be eligible leave a comment on angels, the perfume or anything that struck you about this review. One lucky reader will be drawn via random.org on January 18, 2012.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume
–John Reasinger, Weekly Contributor
-Art Direction, Michelyn Camen, EIC
jason merritt getty images
Editor's Note: What better scent to wear as the stars came out for the Golden Globes? Frieda Pinto looks like a 'good girl' angel in this Prada blue gown
jason merritt getty images
Sofia Vegara showed her sexy bad girl Angel curves in this sexy frock