As long as I’ve been interested in fashion, I’ve been obsessed with Miu Miu. In middle school, I was captivated by the brand’s cutesy prints and ruffly tea dresses on pages of Teen Vogue. In high school, I spent hours on Tumblr, scrolling through images of the brand’s ’90s collections. Both really solidified my love for the brand’s off-kilter femininity, and deeply informed my own personal style.
Courtesy of Miu Miu
While I’d love to have a full closet of Miu Miu, currently only select vintage pieces are in reach. Luckily, Miu Miu’s latest fragrance, Muitine, makes it a little easier to step into the fantasy. And just last week, I got to physically step into the brand’s world at their new holiday pop-up: The Miutine Holiday House at Miami’s Adventura Mall. From November 20 through January 10, shoppers can enter the Miu Miu’s pastel dream house to celebrate all things Miutine. From a live typist writing poems to a gorgeous tablescape celebrating the fragrance’s notes—embroidered on It girl-approved Gohar World doilies, of course—the house is full of special details. Walking through only cemented something I already suspected: Miutine is the perfect gift for any Miu Miu girl in your life.
Courtesy of Miu Miu
Ahead, everything you need to know about Miutine, plus my honest review.
The Fragrance
While Miu Miu has released fragrances in the past, Miutine is the brand’s first perfume launch in several years and serves as a re-introduction to its take on beauty. Created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion, Miutine is a “twisted gourmand” created with a rebellious spirit in mind—the name is a play on “mutine,” French for mischievous or impish. “The composition invites self-affirmation and confidence, creating a perfume for oneself away from any gaze. This colorful and modern composition captures the essence of the Miu Miu girl,” explains Ropion.
Miu Miu
The fragrance opens with a bright strawberry accord—specifically the Mara des bois variety, a favorite of French pastry chefs that are harvested just once a year. Then, at the heart, there’s a gardenia accord for a touch of florals and to create a “luminous aura.” At the base is where everything really comes together. Anchoring the fragrance is a deep brown sugar accord, including a bourbon vanilla extract. Finally, there’s jasmine to round out the sweet notes, as well as patchouli oil for depth and grounding. “I started from a classic and I twisted it with a surprising resonance, a harmony of mischievous freshness and opulent sensuality,” adds Ropion.
My Review
I generally don’t gravitate to gourmands, so I was hesitant to try this one at first. But after it got the stamp of approval from so many of my favorite It girls (Paloma Elsesser and Chloë Sevingy to name just two), I knew I had to give it a try. Yes, it’s a bit sweeter than most of my go-tos, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The first thing I smell is fresh, juicy strawberries, quickly followed by warm vanilla and bright gardenia. It’s a super pleasant nostalgic fragrance that isn’t too heavy or cloying, but the real magic happens the longer you let it sit on your skin. Miutine develops throughout the day, with the brown sugar deepening the the base, and pachouli adding a sophisticated flair. It’s easy to wear without feeling generic, and perfectly captures the feminine, playful, and a little off-kilter vibe of Miu Miu’s clothes—and of course, the bottle looks gorgeous displayed on a vanity or bathroom counter.
The best part, though, is that it really adapts to whoever is wearing it. I’ve smelled it on tons of people, and each time it’s a little bit different—something that perfectly captures the brand’s spirit.