Inhabiting a prominent corner on North London’s Upper Street, the second iteration of Aesop Islington allows for contemplative respite while keeping in touch with the neighbourhood’s history of merchantry. Built in 1891, the location was first home to a tailor’s—this long-standing commercial heritage has informed our in-house Design team’s approach to the store.
Outside, original London cast-iron lamp posts—recovered from a salvage yard—light the way, adjacent to the French baroque-style façade. Large arched windows look in on a calm, capacious interior, heightening the contrast with the lively thoroughfare.
Within, undulating walls with built-in shelves skim the circumference to invite thoughtful contemplation of our formulations for the skin, hair, body and home, echoing the arcs of the restored Victorian ceiling beams and columns. Keeping one foot in the past, 1950s wall lights provide welcoming illumination, while reclaimed London Yellow bricks span the floor and counter units. Plywood shelving and drawer fronts are varnished in keeping with the bricks’ warm tone, complemented by the burnished brass metalwork of the basins.
