Aesop Avenue des Ternes, Paris
France
The store’s atmosphere responds to the area’s residential quietude—saturated hues and rounded forms coax visitors to slow down and linger. Generous bay windows connect the space to the street; cosy seating allows visitors to enjoy a peaceful moment in the sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees in front.
To one side, a Fragrance Armoire contains the unconventional world of Aesop’s Eaux de Parfum; to the other, an individual basin accommodates in-depth encounters where one can apply formulations directly to their face, as if at home. A sculptural basin is the room’s nucleus: here customers can explore Aesop’s full range of products for the skin, hair, body and home in a convivial manner.
Underfoot, reclaimed tomettes—traditional French hexagonal terracotta tiles—contribute a certain gravity only strengthened by their aged imperfections.
A mysterious brightness beckons from the depths of the salon, inviting curious minds to delve into a somewhat obscured vestibule where trained consultants can offer further insight and guidance based on personal needs. Images & Text, courtesy of Aesop
Aesop Via del Corso, Rome
Italy
A Roman devotion.
The Design is an ode to Ancient Roman architectural principles and geometric orders. Occupying a two-story corner residence on bustling Via del Corso, it is immersed in the graciousness of the Eternal City’s buildings and pathways.
Its interior is bathed in heartening, earthy hues and textures, with its sequenced floorplan centred around a majestic flight of stairs.Defined by its great ceiling height, the ground floor is divided into two enclaves that straddle the staircase.
Compositions in walnut timber, brass, Travertino Romano, artisanal lime plaster, and burnt orange lacquer, the rooms exude a feeling of nuanced warmth. Felice Torelli’s eighteenth-century masterpiece, ‘Teseo Abbandona Arianna’ (‘Theseus abandoning Ariadne’) hangs at the heart of the store, reminding visitors of the heartaches of ancient mythology. Torelli’s brushwork is like a lesson on tenderness, which carries through in the way our staff conduct their consultations at the shared basins, gently guiding patrons through our full range of formulations for the skin, hair, body and home.
A rhythm of primary geometries plays out in the stair’s balustrade—an invitation to venture further. As one ascends, a bespoke, elongated chandelier hangs above, inspired by fragments of antique columns found throughout the city’s archaeological sites. The landing is transformed into an intimate suite dedicated to our unorthodox Eaux de Parfum. At the Fragrance Armoire, crafted from solid walnut timber, each aroma can be experienced and discerned. A garment can then be infused with one’s preferred scent, ready to be worn on an ambrosial passeggiata upon leaving.
Courtesy of Aesop
Photography: Paolo Abate
Private Chalet, Gstaad
Switzerland
As a private escape on the snowy slopes high above the valley, this chalet reinterprets vernacular traditions and regional craftsmanship in a respectful yet sophisticated manner. Solid washed walls in combination with locally sourced brushed pine wood and precious textiles set an atmosphere of humble elegance while relating strongly to the simple alpine history and context.
Aesop Neubaugasse, Vienna
Austria
Inspired by the history of the Austrian capital - be it the legacy of famous minds, artists or scientists who made their home here at the beginning of the 20th century, molding the dawn of modernity.
Research in the city's archives revealed that the building's original late 19th-century facade, including a long-forgotten - now recovered large arch, had been built over several times.
The entrance is slightly offset from the street and its raised semi-circular window has fluted panes, allowing natural light to fall generously into the first of three interconnected retail spaces.
The three rooms stimulate thoughts, fantasies and reveries. The first room has a quiet grandeur thanks to its balanced proportions, high ceiling and a chandelier by Carlo Scarpa. It creates a sense of tranquility in contrast to the busy street, which is reinforced in the following two rooms.
The second room is a fascinating rotunda that hides Aesop's first Fragrance Library: the rotating niche invites to experience scents, reinforcing the feeling of an imaginary journey. In the third, narrow room, the mirrored walls and dark surfaces create a dreamy, warm atmosphere.
Images and text: Courtesy of Aesop
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