Australian skincare brand, Aesop, has opened a new store in Shanghai. This marks Aesop's first location in Mainland China.
Founded in Melbourne in 1987, Aesop has expanded into 28 markets and currently operates over 200 stores worldwide.
The new Shanghai store boasts 3,230 square feet. It is located in a residential area also known as "Lovers' Road" in the former French Concession on DongPing road.
Lined in brownstone, the elegant two-storey building has large floor-to-ceiling windows and a wide arched entryway. A chandelier made from locally-harvested dried bulrush handwoven by Chinese artist Didu Wu has been fitted on its ceiling, an ode to Shanghai's regional handicraft traditions.
Within the space are sleek basins constructed using Guizhou travertine stone. Tying together the store is French furnishing and chic light fixtures, creating a quiet and calming ambience.
Away from the shopping area are private sinks that offer personalised skincare treatments as well as a green-tiled "Sensorium" fragrance chamber.
To top off the location's relaxing atmosphere, when customers are browsing the store's products, they can gaze through the shop's windows at Aesop Shanghai's garden of medicinal Chinese herbs.
Joining the opening of Aesop include other retailers like Lululemon, LE MONDE DE SHC and a French bistro.
The opening of Aesop Shanghai was facilitated by Natura & Co, the retailer's headquartered parent company, in an effort to expand into the world's second-largest beauty market.
