Thierry Mugler is the quintessential renaissance man. Having studied classical dance and been part of the ballet corp for Rhin Opera, he also studied interior design before going on to flourish as a fashion designer. He has also produced photography books, directed film – shorts, advertising and videos. This includes the video for George Michael’s Too Funky (which has always been one of my favourite songs and videos), and collaborated with the Cirque du Soleil.
Another realm Thierry Mugler has explored to great success has been in fragrances. Despite being a fragrance collector of sorts, I have not had the opportunity to add his to my collection, until now with the release of A*Man Pure Tonka. His first masculine fragrance A*Man was created in 1966 with which, it was said “he dared to combine intense, contrasting materials – patchouli, coffee and vanilla – in a creation that marries elegance, sophistication and charisma. A*Men materializes the masculine vision of the timeless contemporary hero. It conveys the spirit of conquest and the sense of challenge of a man who dreams of himself as a victorious hero. A*Men expresses the refined seduction of a demigod, the virile power of a body sculpted by action, the power of a determined man, who prevails through his inner strength and will to conquer.”
I was lucky enough to get the A*Man Pure Havane, the A*Man Original Eau de Toilette and the A*Man Pure Tonka 2016 Limited Edition. Being a cigar fan, the first I tried was the Pure Havane which is an interpretation of tobacco and Cuban cigars in a way that is both strong yet comfortable. But, it doesn’t prepare you for the A*Man Pure Tonka which is heavy, with the potential to overpower. But, does not, or as they say, about Thierry Mugler fragrances, it is “deliberately ‘overdosed’ in the creations, but always skillfully orchestrated.”
At the heart of this fragrance is the tonka bean which is the seed of a species of flowering tree, the cumaru tree, native to Central and South America. The main producers today are Venezuela and Nigeria. The tonka bean for the Pure Tonka is harvested in Venezuela.
This fragrance, created by perfumer Jacque Huclier for Givaudan, is not for the fainthearted. I hate to use the word but ‘exotic’ comes to mind when it comes to the fragrance which has been ‘balanced out’ with lavender and rosemary in a wonderful way.
The packing reflects the fragrance itself with a beautifully designed rubber bottle and “the blue A*Men star takes on a subtle pink gold metallic hue that evokes the mysterious gourmand heart of the fragrance.”
A*Man Pure Tonka is distinctly masculine evoking images of intriguing company and a night where the start gives no hint of where you will end up, when it is over. The fragrance is available in SA at a recommended selling price of R1195.