Maritime Heritage Meets Minimalist Design: Aesop Opens Its Second Store in Hamburg

Where the scent of magnolia meets the salt of the Elbe, that’s where Aesop found its second home in Hamburg in June of 2025. Just a few steps from the Elbe River, the store combines the city’s rich maritime history with the brand’s minimalistic approach, evident in distinctive design elements ranging from smooth walnut shelves to a richly textured oak parquet.

The calming and warm space invites you to leave behind the hectic everyday life and linger a moment to take a look at the apothecary-inspired skincare lines. A highlight of the space is the oxidised steel basins, salvaged from Aesop’s former Le Marais store in Paris. At the entrance, a thoughtful installation of amber bottles rests on miniature steel rafts – originally used as pipe plugs in the Parisian drainage system – is a quiet nod – a quiet nod to Aesop’s ongoing commitment to reuse and thoughtful design evolution.

More than just a retail space, the new Aesop store is a port of pause in a city balancing between the hustle and bustle of urban life and its identity as Germany’s gateway to the world.

If you are in need of some inspiration for your next trip to the store, here are our editor’s favourite Aesop picks:

Aurner Eau de Parfum

A distinctive floral fragrance shaped by unexpected contrasts: vibrant green spice meets herbaceous depth, while the addition of magnolia leaf gives the scent a rich and woody undertone. The Aurner Eau de Parfum evokes fantasies of stepping out into a sunlit natural scene of nature right after heavy rain.

Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser

The gentle and hydrating body cleanser with its rich texture and warm scent of Atlas cedar, patchouli, and clove blossom makes for the perfect vanity staple – not only for dry and dehydrated skin, but for anyone wishing to give their body a moment of care. Aesop’s Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser reimagines daily cleansing as a restorative ritual. The woody, spiced-herbaceous scent envelopes both skin and senses, offering a quiet moment of comfort for tired bodies and steam-filled bathrooms alike.

Lucent Facial Refiner

A mask with PHA and BHA as exfoliants, enriched with vitamins B, E and F to offer the skin everything it needs to appear smooth, supple, refined and – most importantly – luminous. The Lucent Facial Refiner is the perfect fortnightly luxury to add a moment of wellness to the daily routine. Its gel-cream texture cushions the skin in a sensorial ritual, while gluconolactone and salicylic acid gently resurface and renew. A curated blend of frankincense, sandalwood, and rose lends a grounding, woody-floral aroma – inviting stillness, intention, and a quiet glow.

Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser

A fresh, uplifting body cleanser that gently purifies without stripping, enriched with the bright, citrusy notes of mandarin and bergamot rind. The Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser transforms daily cleansing into a revitalising ritual, leaving skin feeling clean, balanced, and subtly scented. Its lightweight gel texture glides smoothly over the skin, perfect for those who want effective care with a touch of aromatic freshness.

Image credit: Aesop