Aesop's Fragrant Fables: Scent and Storytelling in 15 Global Installations
Aesop's Fragrant Fables initiative has converted more than 15 stores across 10 nations into temporary perfumeries, drawing inspiration from the stories behind its 12 fragrances. An exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum's Hyokeikan showcased the work of Hiroko Tanino, a Japanese papermaker and one of only 11 certified artisans in the country, who crafted unique washi paper installations using botanical elements associated with the scents. This exhibition highlighted Aesop's latest fragrance, Unforeseen Aer, which features nutmeg within the paper. The campaign illustrated the fragrances in three phases: raw materials, natural interpretations, and completed perfumes. Founded in Melbourne in 1987, Aesop partners with local artisans and designers for its projects.
Key facts
- Aesop's Fragrant Fables campaign spanned more than 15 locations across 10 countries.
- The campaign showcased Aesop's collection of 12 perfumes.
- Aesop created an exhibition at Tokyo National Museum's Hyokeikan with Japanese papermaker Hiroko Tanino and her studio Tesuki Washi Tanino.
- Tanino is one of 11 artisans officially certified in traditional handmade papermaking in Japan.
- The Tokyo exhibition focused on three fragrances, separating their individual olfactory elements.
- One display explored Aesop's newest fragrance Unforeseen Aer, incorporating nutmeg into the paper.
- In New York, live readings of the Fragrant Fables accompanied the installation.
- A separate exhibition in Taiwan featured a wooden bookcase displaying books alongside isolated fragrance ingredients.
- Aesop was established in Melbourne in 1987.
- Earlier this year, Aesop released its Aposē lamps with The Factory of Light installation at Milan design week.
Entities
Artists
- Hiroko Tanino
Institutions
- Aesop
- Tokyo National Museum
- Tesuki Washi Tanino
- Dezeen
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- New York
- United States
- Taiwan
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Madrid
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom
- Milan
- Italy
- Tokigawa River
Sources
- Dezeen —