Project Overview

Ripple partnered with the Clarins Group (acquired by L’Oréal in 2020) to develop a striking freestanding refill fountain for Thierry Mugler’s iconic Angel and Alien fragrances. Built for Boots fragrance departments nationwide, the unit puts sustainability front and centre.

Project Details

Client:

Clarins Group

Location:

Nationwide

Sector:

Retail

Services:

Concept & technical design and Manufacturing

Completion:

2021

the challenge

Clarins had already tested smaller countertop refill units but wanted something more impactful. The brief was a premium, freestanding fountain that celebrated Mugler’s fragrance bottles while making the refill process seamless and central in-store. The unit needed to elevate sustainability without compromising on luxury and it had to work at scale.

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Our Solutions

Ripple created a statement refill unit that fused sustainability with high-end retail design, engineered for nationwide rollout.

Design-Led Development

We treated the fountain as a hero piece: exploring visual concepts, producing 3D visuals, and collaborating closely with Clarins to shape a design that elevated both form and function.

High-Spec Fabrication and Detailing

Ripple engineered the structure using steel fabrication with chrome tubing and refill pods, layered with laser-cut detailing and a gloss black powder coat finish to match Mugler’s luxury aesthetic.

Scalable, Brand-Ready Execution

We produced and delivered 150 refill fountains to Boots stores across the UK, complete with branded mag panel artwork created in-house to Mugler standards.

Installation & Launch

Despite lockdown delays, the project remained detail-focused and design-led. The result was a standout feature in-store - a refill fountain that helped reshape fragrance shopping around sustainability while retaining the brand’s iconic luxury feel.

This display sets a strong benchmark for refill retail, combining beauty, function, and environmental thinking in one seamless experience.