“We want to craft an intimate space, akin to the comfort of one’s own home, where people can immerse themselves in a meditative state, escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and forget the passage of time.” ——Marianne Lardilleux
“I like to start my Mondays with the Aēsop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste. It awakens my skin and invigorates my mind, helping me greet the new week with renewed energy. Each morning, I spritz on a different fragrance; if I want to feel a bit sweeter that day, I’ll choose the Rōzu perfume, but if I have an important meeting, I’ll go for the grounding, woody Hwyl.” Marianne Lardilleux, a French architect who joined Aēsop in 2016 and is now the Director of Aēsop Global Retail Design, believes that skincare and fragrance are deeply personal, intimate experiences that must be explored in-store — something online shopping can never fully replicate.
Stepping into an Aēsop store, the enveloping scents, soothing music, and minimalist yet elegant design gradually allow one to unwind. Washing your hands at the sink, gently drying them with a towel, and then sitting down to sip a warm tea — this multi-sensory experience creates a synesthetic impression, leaving a profound emotional impact. “Having a dedicated space where you can freely explore and try different skincare products is so important,” Marianne explains. “It represents a private, joyful realm where one can feel comfortable, relaxed, and engage with our consultants to find the right products for your unique needs.” While each Aēsop store is uniquely designed, they all provide this same holistic, immersive experience. “They share the brand’s signature design elements, expressed through different details; from an amber-hued glass bottle to the entire store concept. This allows you to be fully absorbed in the experience, while completely forgetting the outside world.”
Aēsop Thonglor, Bangkok
“How can I find the right answer for this unique space?”
Unobtrusive and unassuming, Aēsop stores have a way of seamlessly blending into the urban streetscape, becoming an integral part of the local landscape. The brand’s newest location, recently opened in Beijing’s Wangfujing district, perfectly captures this quality. “When I first saw this historic courtyard house, I kept wondering how can I, as a French, create a space that truly resonates with the local Beijing residents? That’s why we decided to collaborate with architect Su Xiaomeng of Atelier Suasua, who lives just 10 minutes away from the house. She shared the rich history of this building with us, and that’s when I finally found the right approach.”
The design team carefully preserved the original architectural structure of the historic residence. Outdoor spaces draw inspiration from the traditional Beijing shading structures used for cooling in the summer; while indoors, the team seamlessly blends antique Ming dynasty furniture with modern elements, creating a poetic space that bridges the old and the new. The most ingenious aspects are the intelligent use of the east and west wings; the former houses a fragrance experience with scent wardrobes, while the latter is a serene, personalized washroom area furnished with bed-like benches (a nod to the traditional sleeping platforms of the Ming and Qing dynasties) and bamboo bead curtains, providing a contemplative and private consultation space. “When creating an intimate, home-like space for people of different cultures, dialoguing with the local community is crucial. This collaboration with Atelier Suasua taught me a lot and made me more internationally-minded,” Marianne says with a smile.
For Aēsop, design is closely tied to community and sustainability, with each store having its own unique story. Marianne considers herself fortunate to have collaborated with many talented architecture teams to find the “right answer” for each project. “Our long-term partner MLKK Studio has always surprised us with their innovative ideas. I particularly love the flooring design of our Fashion Walk store in Causeway Bay where they used the cloud-pattern board that was popular for furniture in Hong Kong in the 70s and 80s to create a captivating story for the space.” Architects of MLKK happened upon a surplus of this outdated material and repurposed them by cutting them into mosaic tiles to form the flooring. This preserved the nostalgic feel while embodying a modern aesthetic. The soft blue mosaic tiles extend up the arched ceiling, with flowing geometric lines creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere, perfectly capturing the design concept of “retreat and reflection”.
“I love the mid-levels escalators in Central. Standing there, you feel like you can survey the entire city.”
“This is my second time in Hong Kong, and the city feels quite different from the mainland cities I’ve visited. I’m particularly drawn to Hong Kong’s unique geography and electric energy.” She continues, “This may sound a bit strange, but I truly enjoy riding the mid-levels escalators in Central. You can observe the ebb and flow of people commuting to and from work, with a captivating mix of old and new buildings all around. Sometimes you can even glimpse into nearby apartments through the windows, catching a view of the bustling markets and streets below. Interestingly, Aēsop’s Hong Kong office is also situated in the mid-levels area, so I imagine both locals and visitors feel this is an integral part of the city’s fabric.”
When asked about her favorite ways to experience a new destination, Marianne shares, “On my days off, I like to go hiking. The locals here recommended the scenic Peak trail, and I do enjoy overlooking a city from a higher vantage point. That aerial perspective not only lets you appreciate the geography, but also gives you a sense of how the urban landscape is structured. These observations allow me to gain a more holistic understanding of a place.”
Marianne Lardilleux, the Director of Aēsop Global Retail Design
