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High-end beauty line Aesop is taking over New York by degrees this fall, starting with a wee Grand Central kiosk and ramping up to a Bleecker Street flagship in November. Last week, the brand opened its first real storefront in Nolita. The space actually looks a lot like the Grand Central booth, which makes sense—architect Jeremy Barbour designed both stores using old copies of The New York Times as building materials.
Of course, the Nolita store has a wider range of products than the Grand Central kiosk, including a bath gel for dogs that takes into account their sensitive skin and a high-quality clothing wash made in conjunction with A.P.C.. None of it comes cheap, but the merchandise looks and smells great, and the staff lavishes attention on shoppers, staging product demonstrations in a big industrial sink to the left of the entrance.
Aesop likes to think of itself as a lifestyle brand. Per its press materials: "Our company advocates the use of our range as part of a life that includes good food, plentiful travel and a healthy dose of books." To that end, they've asked 30 New Yorkers in creative industries to recommend their favorite spot in the city. The 30 answers will roll out on the Aesop website over the course of this month, starting with today's recommendation from jewelry designer Anna Sheffield.
· Aesop Woos Commuters with a Geometric Grand Central Kiosk [Racked NY]
· Aesop NYC [Official Site]