Dual Aesop boutiques, based in Sydney and Melbourne, have stripped away their legion of products, excluding fragrances, to replace the conventional atmospheres with a fastidious and immersive sensorial experience in collaboration with Australian artist Janet Laurence.
In an evocative amalgamation of art and science, the coalescing brings guests to a Fragrance Laboratory, set within Aesop the Strand and Aesop Flinders Lane. This installation offers a contemplative experience that forays into the alchemy of scent, showcasing Laurence’s curation of labware, distilled liquids, plants and olfactive raw materials.
Laurence explains the essence of the collaboration: “We share a philosophy that uses aesthetics to create an experiential space that can express wonder and a relationship between nature and science.” Her oeuvre, with its proclivity to explore the beauty and fragility of the natural world, is characterised in the Fragrance Laboratory — a space inspired by her previous installations, including the Elixir Lab and the monumental Matter of the Masters.
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Invited to engage their senses with Aesop’s 11 Eaux de Parfums, visitors are guided by trained consultants through the unorthodox approach to scent, further nursed by the introduction of Aesop’s latest release, Virēre Eau de Parfum. Launching on 2nd September, Virēre conjures images of a sunlit canopy stirred by a fragrant breeze, with key notes of Bergamot, Fig and Green Tea. It resides within the Fresh fragrance family yet, like all of Aesop’s creations, resists easy categorisation, offering layers of nuance and complexity.
“Every Aesop store is a precious window into our brand and our values. We are so pleased to collaborate with renowned Australian artist Janet Laurence, as we share a deep appreciation for the natural world, a commitment to sustainability, and creating sensory experiences that transcend the ordinary,” concludes Catherine O’Dea, Aesop’s General Manager for SAPMENA.
Next up: Spirit of presence