Get to know the face behind Mugler’s Alien Hypersense Eau de Parfum, Anok Yai!

Was modelling always an ambition for you?

It is one of my many ambitions. I was studying biochemistry when the opportunity to enter the fashion industry arose. I’ve always had a love for and natural attraction to fashion, art and all things beautiful.

Your origin is a very inspiring story. Do you feel immigrating at a young age from South Sudan to the United States has had an impact on your career?

Being of a migrant family cemented my work ethic since I was a child. I always believed I could do anything, and I’ve always been very resilient. I’m very self-confident and the fear of failure has less of a hold on me than ever.

Throughout your career you have prioritized advocating for representation in fashion and beauty. How do you feel about representation in this industry today?

I feel we’ve come a long way in terms of representation. I’m at a point in my life and career where I’m not just representing but I’m creating an entire new lane. I’ve learned this industry will take it as far as whoever has the strongest will and greatest audacity; I’m taking it as far as I can.

You are a role model for diverse representation in the fashion industry. What is your message to young girls that look up to you?

If one door closes, jump out the window!

What does beauty mean to you?

It’s important to find beauty in everything that you do. I try to make every aspect of my life beautiful.

What does Mugler represent to you?

Independence, fearlessness, beauty.

How does Alien Hypersense reflect you?

I’m told I can be very mysterious. When it comes to me, not everything is what you see - same thing with this fragrance, the longer you wear it the more notes you discover and the scent and feeling changes.

How does Alien Hypersense transform you?

I naturally become and feel more alluring wheneer I wear Alien Hypersense.

When do you wear this fragrance?

I refuse to leave my house without wearing perfume. I even go to bed wearing perfume, so you can guess how often I wear this.

Alien Hypersense is a hypersensory scent. How does this fragrance amplify each of your senses?

I’m very sensitive to scents, and I wear perfumes all the time. What I love about Alien Hypersense is that it is noticeable without leading the conversation (I have to do that ) with distinctive notes of pear and green mandarin, it shows up for me all of the time!

What do you see when you smell this fragrance?

It’s a personal memory, but it takes me back to the shooting of the campaign. I was able to express all facets of my personality while feeling strong. I see, and I hope people will see themselves that way when wearing it – strong and proud.

You said that people told you that you looked like an Alien when you were growing up. How did you ‘unleash your inner Alien’ in this campaign?

Whenever the director said action, I become the most fearless I’d ever been in image.

This new campaign is the weirdest and coolest campaign ever for a Mugler fragrance. How do you think this fragrance brings out this side in you?

While I went into this shooting with the intention of making great art, the brand and photographer/director of the Alien Hypersense campaign, Daniel Sannwald, pushed me beyond limits, requiring me to do stunts, even breaking down walls, things I have thought about doing in imagery but have never had the opportunity until now. It was freeing and exciting all at the same time. I got to touch into weird characters that I have always wanted to explore.

What was the atmosphere with the team? What part of this campaign did you find the most empowering?

I’m honored to have worked on such a project where I felt a true synergy among all the teams. From the Mugler Fashion & Perfume teams, to make up, hair, styling and the entire production team, there was genuinely a collective energy. The team supported whatever outlandish idea I had for the campaign. That, more often than not, doesn’t happen. It filled me with so much pride.

Is there a link between fashion and fragrance for you?

Wearing a fragrance has the same affect that wearing a certain fashion piece does. It makes you carry yourself differently. Self-image, fragrance, and fashion go hand in hand.