Words Aesop and the Kanto team
Images Aesop (Aurner) with additional photography by Patrick Kasingsing
In the realm of fragrances, Aesop’s new Aurner Eau de Parfum is a rebel, thriving in the dance between opposites. Its nuanced floral profile marks both an evolution and a bold new chapter in Aesop’s nature-inspired stable of scents.
Opposites attract
At its heart is the unexpected magnolia leaf; not the delicate white petals, but the sturdy foliage that support its bloom. The magnolia leaf infuses the perfume with a luminous complexity that’s “bright, complex, and tea-like,” as described by acclaimed French perfumer and nose, Céline Barel. “Aurner,” she explains, “has been envisioned as a nonconformist, floral fragrance, embodying tensions like the fragility of the flowers versus the strength of the woods; the transparency of the bloom versus the solidity of the woods; fresh versus warm; vegetal versus metallic; feminine versus masculine; simple versus complex.”
The scent opens with a radiant burst, where citrus notes illuminate the green, fresh spices of cardamom and pink pepper, enhanced by Roman chamomile. This prelude builds to a floral intensity laced with a surprising metallic edge. Barel expounds: “Roman Chamomile plays a key role in the fragrance, to intensify the bloom. Due to its olfactive complexity, it bridges the floral, spicy, aromatic facets together, going from top to heart of the fragrance.”
As the fragrance unravels, it reveals a nuanced floral heart. The magnolia leaf’s luminous aroma melds with geranium, while cardamom hints at the woody depths that lie beneath. A richly textured base of sandalwood, cypriol heart, and cedar heart grounds Aurner’s intensity.
Fearless florals
Taking its name from an Old Norse verb meaning “to be adorned with flowers,” Aurner empowers its wearer by embellishing the skin with its lush, complex notes. The fragrance also served as muse for Aesop’s first-ever jewelry collaboration; the Melbourne-based brand partnered with Thai designer Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura for a limited-edition collection that enmeshes traditional Thai craftsmanship with the Japanese wabi-sabi ethos of transience and imperfection.
Out of the forge, a bespoke necklace and ear cuff emerged, evoking the emotive tensions between delicacy and solidity that describe Aurner. A sculptural bloom, reflecting the fragrance’s floral heart, embellishes the necklace, which carries a lustrous sheen echoing the metallic facets of Roman chamomile. Complementing the neckpiece, Aesop introduced a limited-edition petal-shaped ear cuff at select Aesop locations. Only 200 handcrafted pieces of Rhodium-plated 925 Sterling Silver petals will be made available, all carefully crafted by time-honed artisans. Patcharavipa unravels her design: “I have always seen the magnolia as a symbol of power and purity. When one thinks about designs derived from florals, one might often think of something feminine or overtly sweet. I see florals differently. I see them as something very sculptural, very strong, and naturally perfect.”
Aurner at the Atrium
For Aurner’s Manila launch on February 19, the brand transformed PURVEYR Plaza, an events space at The Atrium of Makati, into a sensory exploration. A cascade of calla lilies set the stage for a brief introduction to Aurner’s vision in the first room. Bespoke tipples and small plates from Bombvinos, a wine and spirits company, and Scratch, a Makati baked goods store, echoed the fragrance’s layered and singular character.
The next room paid homage to the magnolia. Metallic blooms and perfume bottles drew the eye, while a small alcove revealed the raw ingredients that blended to create the scent. In the final room, designed with the clean precision of a lab, complete with steel tables, guests engaged with the perfume through scented cards that highlighted its key notes—magnolia (and its leaf), chamomile, and cedar.
The 268-sqm spatial installation echoes the immersive experiences of Aesop stores and hints at new possibilities for a time-worn shopping mall, especially with venue partners such as PURVEYR. The launch reminded visitors like us of the promise that transformation and possibility hold, a reflection of the multifaceted spirit at the heart of Aurner. •
Aurner Eau de Parfum is now available in all Aesop Philippines stores and online for PHP 9,400 (50ml bottle). The limited-edition Aurner ear cuff by Patcharavipa is available in select global stores, priced at PHP 9,400. Visit aesopskincare.ph for more information.
