Mugler Les Exceptions Wonder Bouquet (Jean-Christophe Hérault) 2017~New Perfume Review+ Fantasy Floral Draw

Kate Moss Tim Walker 2012©

"There is no such thing as fantasy unrelated to reality." – Maurice Sendak

 Mugler Parfums Wonder Bouquet, the ninth perfume in the Les Exceptions collection, reinvents and revitalizes our notions of fragrance classification. Wonder Bouquet is a bright and lively white floral like no other, a nosegay wrapped up in an enticing and soothing brioche accord. With this new fragrance, Mugler fashions a fantastic, surreal fragrant world from what seem to be familiar scents.

Hanaa Ben Abdesslem by Gorka Postigo for S Moda November 2016 ©

“The offbeat bakery dimension, over a classical floral structure, comes as a surprise. More than an unexpected guest, bran, with its warm bread accents, is very important to the construction of the fragrance.”  – Jean-Christophe Hérault, perfumer.

Kate Moss at The Ritz in Paris, photographed by Tim Walker©

My first "taste" of Wonder Bouquet is a slightly tart floral confection with  transparent Lily of the Valley enriched by intoxicating Jasmine sambac. There is a bit of tang to this first bite, a nuance of citrus perhaps or maybe the green, mint and sesame effect of Shiso leaf. The initially delicate veil is very quickly warmed with sumptuous orange blossoms and beeswax. 

In the Night Kitchen By Maurice Sedak©

But just as I begin to think that I understand the fragrance, I find myself falling through the cool, moist air of an imaginary florist shop into the thick and delicious atmosphere of a midnight bakery. I am "In the Night Kitchen", the fantasy patisserie of children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Many years ago, Tuesdays were my baking days. My young sons loved to "assist" me as I mixed, kneaded and followed the rise of the bread dough.They would help form the loaves and watch the second rise with anticipation.

Alisa Frolkina by Paul de Luna for Mojeh Magazine May/June 2012

As I cozy up to the heart of Mugler's Wonder Bouquet, the fragrance of flowers and cereal grains, the yeast-y scent of warm bread and recollections of the satin feel of the dough in my hands overwhelm me with nostalgia. I am drawn not only to the smell of the loaves and sweet malt but also to suggestions of pastries of every kind. The scent of the memories of afternoon gardens and fantasies of the Night Kitchen remain on my skin for eight hours and more. I awaken from my dreams to the aroma of fresh white flowers and baking bread.

Stella Tennant photographed by Tim Walker for Vogue UK June 2016©

Wonder Bouquet is a quintessentially feminine fragrance, recalling vases filled with blossoms and kitchens redolent with the scents of hearth and home. Yet with all of this familiarity there is something otherworldly about Wonder Bouquet. Perhaps it is the Mugler mystique, connecting everyday life to the alien, and to the imaginal world of memory, storytelling and futuristic fantasy.

Notes: Lily of the Valley, orange blossom, Jasmine sambac, beeswax, Shiso leaf and bran absolute.   

Disclaimer: I would like to thank The ClarinsGroup/Mugler Parfums for the stunning bottle of this exquisite Wonder Bouquet.  My opinions are my own.

~Gail Gross, Senior Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Gail's Bottle of MUGLER Les Exceptions Wonder Bouquet

Thanks to our friends at The Clarins Group/Mugler Parfums we have a draw for one 80 ml (2.7 oz) bottle of Mugler Les Exceptions Wonder Bouquet Eau de Parfum, available to one registered CafleureBon reader (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you MUST Register on our site or your entry will not be invalid) in the USA.  To be eligible please leave a comment about what you enjoyed about Gail's review, and if you are familiar with or have any favorites from the Mugler Les Exceptions Collection.  Draw closes October 7, 2017

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS FEED…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

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23 comments

  • SuzanneS says:

    I enjoyed The use of imagery, thoughtfully chosen in a mugleresque way..this Mugler sounds amazing… in USA. My favorite Les Excepions is Supra Floral.

  • Hasib says:

    Thanks for the giveaway. Reviews are always good
    Haven’t tried anything from the Les Exceptions line
    Would like to smell this one. From US
    Thanks

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    I own and love several Mugler perfumes but have not tried any from this collection. As a gourmand scent lover, this review has me salivating and dreaming! I am in the US and thank you for the chance.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Wonder Bouquet experiments to see what happens when you combine gourmand and floral elements. I also see in Gail’s review that the fragrance has shiso leaf note. I cannot help but notice the growing popularity of shiso leaf note in modern perfumes. it also shows Asian cultures are influencing the creation of more and more perfumes. I have not tried anything from Mugler Les Exceptions Collection yet though I have one from Mugler’s previous exclusive line as well as Perfume: Story of Murder special limited release set which I adore. I am in US.

  • Rae Lynn says:

    What an unusual combination! it sounds enticing. The smell of homemade bread is one of the best scents around. Add beeswax, and lily of the valley and I’m in! I live in the US.

  • Cynthia says:

    I want that hat on Kate Moss! I have a couple of bottles from past releases. I have an Angel with a liquor note, wish I could be more specific, that I really enjoy. This one sounds very different with it’s baking note. I’m curious. Thanks for the lovely review and the draw. usa

  • Michelle Taylor says:

    Have never worn Mugler before. I love Gail’s simple yet sophisticated description that just draws me into her world! Would love to try this one out! Thank you!

  • sara levy says:

    I like when reviewers take you through the entire “plotline” of a fragrance. I have never tried any of the “non-mainstream” Muglers but I would love to try this one!! I live in the US. Thank you.

  • Dana U says:

    I enjoyed the reference to “In the Night Kitchen” as I loved reading that book to my children when they were young. The combination of floral and bread notes sound really interesting and I would love to sniff this. Thanks for the review, Gail, and Mugler Parfums for the draw. I’m in the U.S.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I will have to check into “The Night Kitchen”. I once entertained the thought of pastry school, but changed my mind due to the hours most bakers have to work. I still enjoy baking as a hobby. The beeswax note would be great since it’s such a great partner to breads and baking. I have never tried the Les Exceptions line, but I have seen some of Sebastians reviews and I’m sure this is terrific. One of my favorites with a “bread” note is Bois de Farine. Thanks to Gail and the Clarins/Mugler group!!

  • Vahagn says:

    Thanks for beautyful review! I like floral perfums and hope I’ll like this new perfume. Mostly I’m excited about last sentence ” it is the Mugler mystique, connecting everyday life to the alien, and to the imaginal world of memory, storytelling and futuristic fantasy”.- very nice description!!
    Unfortunatly I’ve never tested any Mugler Les Exceptions.
    USA, De

  • melisande says:

    I love what Gail says about fragrance notes. Very poetic.
    I haven’t smelled Les Exceptions Collection. Thank you for the chance! I live in the US.

  • Diana D says:

    I would love to test out this fragrance because I love lily of the valley. I own several Mugler fragrances but have never smelled any in their Les Exceptions line.

    I live in the U.S.

  • Brenda says:

    lily of the valley and brioche sounds amazing. I also read Night Kitchen to my kids. Lovely review
    My husband has Cuir Impertinent which I wear too

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    I love this review, this Mugler sounds so femine and soft. Thnaks for the draw, I would like to win a bottle. I live in the EU. My favourite Mugler is Cologne, I havent smelled any of Les Exceptions yet.

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    I enjoyed most the description of the floral mixed with the bread scent. Perhaps it could be named Fleurs dans une boulangerie. Would love to give this one to my wife! Also, the photos accompanying the article are whimsically delightful. I am unfamiliar with the Mugler Les Exceptions Collection, but do own many Mugler A*Men Pure X fragrances, as well as Angel Muse, which is incredible. I am from San Jose, California, USA.

  • Fraghead says:

    Wonderful review as always Gail, thank you so much! Perfect words matched with perfect art! I love the idea of a combination flower shop bakery, that’s really intriguing to me. My favorite Mugler’s are Miroir Des Majesties and Oriental Express. In the USA

  • TaffyJ says:

    It takes me a while to “get” Mugler perfumes. I gather from the review that Gail too had to spend some time to fully catch all the nuances of this mysterious fragrance. Beautiful review and graphics. I especially love the Kate Moss photo at the Ritz. (and the Mugler bottle is gorgeous!)

    The only fragrance I am familiar with from the Les Exceptions line is the sheer delight, Oriental Express.

    I am in the U.S.

  • cardinalmind says:

    I love smelling Mugler’s fragrances but haven’t owned or sniffed one form the Les Exceptions line. I’m more drawn to the A*Men and its flankers. So what did I enjoy from this review? Because I’m attracted to the mix of Jasmine sambac and lily of the valley. Jasmine sambac throws me back to my tropical homeland while lily of the valley has been one of my favorite notes thanks to Aqua Universalis. Thanks for the chance and the read! In California!

  • doveskylark says:

    One of my earliest memories is the smell of yeast because my grandfather had a bakery on the first floor of his house. I also used to make my own sour dough starter–that yeast smell meant the starter was alive. I saw that there is a shiso note in the fragrance. That sounds like an intriguing combination with the Lily of the Valley and the bran note.
    I haven’t tried anything from the Les Exceptions Collection.
    I live in the USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    Loved the review. The description of mixing of the flowery with bakery smells is so interesting. It certainly evokes images and smells. I’ve not tried this line. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    Those notes sound incredible in combination, I’d love to try this! In the Night Kitchen is a much-loved book for me, so Im delighted to see it referenced here, and of course this piques my curiosity even more! I have yet to try anything from Les Exceptions line, but glad you brought it to my attention
    Thank you so much for the draw and the fun whimsical review!
    I’m in the US.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the review! The notes are amazing. Mugler Wonder Bouquet is a wonder after reading the review. Never tried any of the Mugler Les Exceptions Collection but there are some on my want list. The bottles of Les Exceptions sounds beautiful. Thanks for the draw & opportunity by letting my relative address in US.