Mugler’s new eau de toilette is a beautiful fruity-floral melody. And just like its predecessor the lychee is featured as one of the top notes of the Angel Nova eau de parfum.
Fresh versions of the exotic-looking fruit may be quite rare in North America, but it holds a fabled place in Chinese history. Perhaps its story will induce in you a new dimension of appreciation for the little red fruit, and the new perfume.
The story goes back more than 1,200 years, to the times of Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty. His most beloved imperial consort was Yang Guifei, famously known for being one of the four beauties of ancient China. He would spoil her in every imaginable way, including making a decree that Yang would receive a delivery of her favourite fruit—the lychee—on her June 1st birthday.
At that time, the imperial court was in Chang’an in central China, but lychees grow in the south, more than 1,500 kilometres away. The distance was a big challenge, as the fruit spoils very easily. It is said that the colour deteriorates within a day, the aroma lessens on the second and by the third day, the flavour is ruined. With no refrigeration or high-speed transportation available then, it was a logistical nightmare.
Mugler Angel Nova Eau de Toilette, 50ml | $99
According to legend, a double-walled clay urn was invented for thermal insulation, a saline preservation soak was formulated and the military messenger relay system, similar to the Pony Express, was implemented. As the last horseman sped towards the palace, a big cloud of red dust was kicked up. Yang saw and smiled. She knew her favourite fruit was arriving.
This scene inspired the famous poem Passing Huaqing Palace, but it also irked court officials, who eventually demanded Yang be killed.
While the story doesn’t have the happiest ending, it shows the great allure of the lychee. In Mugler’s Angel Nova, perfume creators Sonia Constant, Louise Turner and Quentin Bisch pair it with raspberries and bergamot as top notes, layered with Damask and Isparta roses as middle notes, with akigalawood, cedar and benzoin as the base. Housed in Mugler’s signature asymmetrical star-shaped glass bottle in a sparkling shade of pink, it will certainly bring a smile to your face.
