Aesop Rockefeller Center

Inviting monumentality

A store within an architectural complex as significant as Rockefeller Center calls for monumentality. Our in-house design team was inspired by the volumetric clarity of the Center’s Art Deco interiors—the high ceilings, the opulent materials, the rich frescoes. The challenge was to create a space that would be simultaneously magnificent and vast, yet somehow domestic and warm. Passersby are invited to leave behind the hubbub of Fifth Avenue and enter a world of unconventional aromas, acoustic quietude, and gleaming burl timber.

Looking to the artful compositions of scale and geometry evident in the 1930s edifice, our architects manipulated the proportions of the room and furniture to create striking volumes. Glossy elm burl, with its sinuous, intricate grain creates a repeating motif across the joinery elements that establish a datum at human scale. Our nonconformist Eaux de Parfum are housed within a prominent set of shelves—here, curious noses can take pleasure in sniffing each scent to determine which one best suits their olfactory preferences. At the central basins, patrons are encouraged to explore formulations with gently running water.

The full height of the locale is articulated by subtle geometries of felt panels and porcelain tiles. The caramel-hued felt absorbs ambient noise, effecting a reverent hush that is conducive to in-depth conversations about individual skin care requirements. The tiles, on the other hand, are a reminder of the outdoor environment of Rockefeller Plaza—they bring a certain civic quality to the space. Discerning eyes are drawn to the custom-made bas-relief by artist Olivier Cousy, which echoes the grandeur of the artworks within Rockefeller Center. Cast in plaster, the contemporary, abstract triptych is evocative of Art Deco ornamentation. For those wishing to prolong their retreat from the hustle and bustle, an ample sofa beckons.