Skin and bodycare brand Aesop is teaming up with American-born, Paris-based fashion designer Rick Owens on a limited edition collection.
Bringing Owen’s minimalist, dark and textural aesthetic to the Melbourne-based skincare brand is a unique proposition, but both brands insist there are shared sensibilities that prompted the new releases that land this week.
A release announcing the collaboration says Aesop and Rick Owens, “have long expressed their mutual admiration for each other’s distinct approach to design. Both built on a desire for serenity, a dedication to simplicity and an appreciation of considerate, nonconformist design the synergy between Aesop and Rick Owens is evident and is embodied in the intriguing forms and fragrances.”
Owens has mentioned his love of the brand a number of times in the past, including telling Harper’s Bazaar in 2013 he prefers “Aesop for shampoos and moisturisers because it’s the only packaging I like. I would use lard if it came in a pretty bottle.”
The concise new collection comprises the Stoic Aromatique Candle housed in a ceramic base that comes in three sizes, its design following similar principles as Owens’s furniture collection in its blend of futuristic and ancient influences. The vessels are said to be inspired by the sculptures of Constantin Brancusi and Dadaist Hans Arp.
A travel kit (below) comes packed with travel sizes of the designer’s favourite body and hair care products from the existing line – Coriander Seed Body Cleanser, Resolute Hydrating Body Balm, Classic Shampoo and Classic Conditioner – as well as the new Stoic Eau de Toilette oil. The kit comes accompanied with a jersey wrap and ceramic beads, to be worn or adorned as desired.
Both the candles and Eau de Toilette Oil feature the new ‘Stoic’ fragrance created by regular Aesop collaborator, perfumer Barnabé Fillion. Running with the theme of each brand uniting, spicy notes of black pepper and coriander seed are intended to reflect the radicality of Rick Owens, while frankincense and woody notes conjure the equanimous spirit of Aesop.
“I like to think we both share a desire to be an option for those pursuing a gentle, carefully considered life,” Owens said of his work with Aesop in a post on his Instagram announcing the collection. “My designs might be considered bold but the foundation is one of benevolence.”
Landing at aesop.com and at Aesop Auckland City in the city’s High Street from Friday 25th March, the collection is not expected to be available for long, given Owen’s dedicated fan base.
