Reimagining the Cosmos: My Vision for a Mugler Makeup Line

Inspired by Legacy, Driven by Disappointment

My motivation for designing a conceptual Mugler makeup line was rooted in a deep respect for the fashion house, coupled with massive disappointment over the Mugler x L'Oréal collaboration. Mugler is a name synonymous with high-fashion spectacle, known for its sculptural silhouettes, unapologetic boldness, and the iconic vision of the cosmic goddess. Yet, as I noted in my initial critique (which you can read here).

When the Mugler x L'Oréal makeup collaboration launched, I felt that defining spirit was conspicuously absent. It was a missed opportunity, a line that failed to capture the high-fashion, alien-glamour essence the house is known for. Mugler already has a wildly successful fragrance portfolio—also handled by L'Oréal—and that line served as my primary reference. I set out to design a makeup collection that would be commercially viable while still paying the genuine homage and respect that the Mugler name truly deserves.

Original Mugler x L'Oreal collaboration palette in The Midnight Collection.

The Nebulas: Celestial Palettes That Command Attention

The eyeshadows in the L'Oréal collaboration, with their black cardboard rectangular packaging—which looked like something readily available from any bulk supplier—were a major letdown. Furthermore, "The Nude Collection" was predictable, contrasting sharply with the "fearless self-expression" Mugler stands for.

My redesigned eyeshadow line, The Nebulas, starts with an architectural component. After sketching several forms, I had two front runners, the oval component inspired by Angel Muse bottle. In the end I settled on still creative but more commercially viable component: a square compact with rounded corners topped with a signature crystal star. This star's colour would change to reflect the unique vibe and colour story of the palette inside. Each compact features five eyeshadows—including two mattes and a multi-chrome in star shape, complemented by two shades in varying foil, satin, glitters or metallic finishes (depending on the palette). The resulting colour stories are designed to be distinct and wearable, offering a far more interesting vision than another safe, neutral palette.

My concept for Mugler The Nebulas eyeshadow palettes.

Celestial Veil: Wearable Fragrance & Glow

Usually the main focus of collections are eyeshadow palettes. I wanted change that by shifting the focus toward new product that draws directly from the success of Mugler's fragrance mastery. This led to the creation of Celestial Veil, a 3-in-1 product I believe is currently unavailable in the market. Celestial Veil is a fragrance and body glow stick where scent and shimmer are equally potent, unlike others (like Dior's solid fragrance sticks) where shimmer is a mere afterthought.

Available in three shades and inspired by three of Mugler’s bestselling scents, it's designed to be applied to the collarbones, shoulders, and décolletage, adding a luminous veil of fragrance and glow. Its unique third feature is its wearability. The component has a magnetic closure, allowing the attachment of a branded silver ring and chain, instantly transforming the crystalline product into a show-stopping necklace. By making the chain a separate add-on, clients gain flexibility: they can wear the crystal as a statement necklace, use the chain alone as a pendant and keep the component bare in their bag for convenient touch-ups.

My concept for Mugler Celestial Veil: 3-in-1 fragrance & body glow stick, that can be worn as necklace.

Dark Matter & Galaxy Fusions: Elevating the Essentials

For the core (aka basic) products, the mascara and lipsticks, I leaned into commercial reality to prove that even with budget and manufacturing constraints, you can achieve a design that is far more compelling and Mugler-esque. The goal was to show that simplicity does not have to mean boring.

The Dark Matter mascara is housed in a simple, soft-touch gun-metal tube accented only by a sleek, black Mugler star. For the launch, I chose a jet-black lengthening and curling formula, but future runway-inspired colours could be introduced, with the star changing to a corresponding shade to maintain brand consistency.

For the Galaxy Fusions lipstick line, I opted for a simple, faceted component, with the Mugler star featuring in the exact color of the lipstick shade inside. This design is basic and production-friendly, yet far more interesting than the original L'Oréal version. Beyond the rich pigments, the name Galaxy Fusions speaks to the formula itself: a fusion of makeup and lip care, enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamins for a smooth, plumped finish.

My concept for Mugler Dark Matter mascara and initial lineup of Galaxy Fusions lipsticks/lip-balms.

From Missed Opportunity to Cosmic Future

The Mugler x L'Oréal Paris collaboration was, in my opinion, failure to translate the fashion house's DNA into a cohesive beauty experience. The brand's identity, built on spectacle and boundary-pushing design, was fundamentally betrayed by conventional, uninspired products.

Knowing that Mugler frequently uses collaborations to test new categories before launching its own fully realized lines, this venture could be an indicator of future plans. If the House is indeed considering a full, dedicated expansion into cosmetics, I would be eager to accept the challenge of Creative Director, ready to ensure that every product, from the essential Dark Matter mascara to the revolutionary Celestial Veil, lives up to the magnificent, cosmic legacy of Mugler.