Clarins pulled out all the stops for last night’s launch of Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Toilette (as they tend to do for Mugler fragrance launches) and introduction of the newest Angel, Eva Mendes. They turned the first floor of the Westside highway-adjacent, Frank Gehry-designed IAC building into this cinematic, dreamlike Thierry Mugler Angel world. There were stars and comets somehow projected onto the ceiling. They even erected a gigantic comet (the same shape that outlines the perfume bottle) in the entrance that you had to walk under to go in to the event. They stamped a star on my hand when I walked in for no apparent reason. Also, I’m pretty sure the Angel scent was somehow wafting through the venue. I never stopped smelling it, even after I left, because I took the little blue Angel-scented scarf a woman suggested I tie around my wrist because it was pretty and blue.

About an hour and a half into the event, Eva Mendes made her very planned and theatrical entrance. The lights went down, the music changed to Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” and everyone stopped talking and gathered around to watch Eva walk through the giant comet in a gorgeous cream, strapless Nicola Formichetti-designed Mugler gown.

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