It was on the second day of my stay in one of Bangkok’s liveliest districts, Thonglor, that I learned the meaning behind its name. “Molten gold,” a local helpfully provides, gesturing at the parade of cafés, boutiques, and shop spaces before me, many of which aptly reflect the splendour of its moniker. Perhaps this is why amidst it all, a sanctuary constructed from wood and glass is what holds my attention: Aesop Thonglor, the brand’s newly-opened signature store in Thailand. The atmosphere that follows my first step across the threshold is surprisingly hushed, the bustle of the streets falling away to reveal a serene oasis. Light filters through the large, open windows. The air is perfumed with the unmistakable scent of zest and verdure; my first brush with the label’s latest scent, Aesop’s Virēre Eau de Parfum.
Crafted by long-time perfume collaborator, Barnabé Fillion, Aesop’s Virēre Eau de Parfum presents an unorthodox take on the distinguished fig. Facets of the fruit are meticulously showcased, with Fillion digging deep into his wealth of memories to examine his own personal feelings surrounding the syconium. “There is something poetic to me about taking time to be under the fig tree to make the right tea,” Fillion states in a press release. “Each time I think about the fragrance, I see myself in this moment.” A distinct point in time, captured and bottled.
This is apparent upon first sniff, with herbaceous notes of galbanum and petitgrain slowly settling into vivid bergamot. For those familiar with Fillion’s source of inspiration, a visual comes to mind as soon as the scent soaks into skin—an individual lingering under an arbour of fig trees, head tilted up to enjoy the warmth of the sun. Its fresh, green profile grows more discernible as deeper, more intense notes of green tea, mastic, and pink pepper follow; an anomalous fusion composed to convey the multitudinal nature of the fig.
A jaunt down memory lane
It’s safe to say that the compelling narrative behind the Virēre fragrance continues at its launch event in Bangkok. Held at the picturesque gardens of Rin at Raintree Bangkok, guests were transported to a Mediterranean-inspired wonderland at the sight of several notable motifs from Fillion’s reminiscing.
A sundial stands proudly at the entrance, charting the passage of time. To mimic the effects of a sunlit canopy, drapes of fabric are weaved across the ceiling, sending starbursts of light over skin. Further within the space, a projector plays a series of snapshots. The video clips are going at a rapid fire pace, nebulous and abrupt to represent the imperfect nature of a memory. The pièce de résistance—a shot of the Virēre bottle, inverted, in homage to Fillion’s patchy recalling of his holidays in Southern Europe. The space speaks for itself, evoking a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and inquisitiveness all at once.
Aesop Creative Director, Ai Kato, is quick to point out that this is a deliberate design on the brand’s part. “Similarly to how our stores provide environments that restore and stimulate the senses, our fragrances transport people away from the hectic rhythms of the day by recalling memories or provoking curiosity,” he notes. “With Virēre Eau de Parfum, we will take our customers deep into its verdant world, allowing them to create their own connections with the aroma through multi-sensorial experiences.”
Engaging all the senses
All things considered, there is no better place to demonstrate this than at Aesop Thonglor.
The main shopfloor invites touch and play right off the get-go thanks to its conscientiously considered layout. Conceived in partnership with Thai architectural firm, Sher Maker Studio, it comprises multiple granite sinks at the heart of the store to facilitate experimentation with Aesop’s comprehensive line-up of formulations. This generates a sense of community and encourages an exchange of ideas, cemented by the presence of a key feature within Aesop Thonglor: a wooden trench that acts as a modern-day interpretation of the Kraba-Din, a traditional earthen fire pit utilised in rural areas for gatherings.
That’s not to say privacy is not an option. Hidden behind sliding doors is the Fa-Lhai room, a concealed enclave perfect for personalised consultations—which also doubles as a site where new scent memories are formed. I take in the towering structure of Aesop’s Fragrance Armoire, a cabinet of wonders brimming with Aesop’s current olfactory line-up.
“If you’d like, you can imbue a personal item with your selected scent,” a member of the Aesop staff volunteers. Indeed, I spy hooks and additional shelving built on the inside of the armoire’s doors, a dedicated resting spot for scarves, towels, and more. After some consideration, I settled on a blue ball cap that I had purchased the day before as well as Aesop’s Virēre Eau de Parfum. Just like that, my hat goes from a mere accessory to an item of remembrance, a marker of my time with the brand in Bangkok. In the days that follow, I am whisked away to the serene quiet of the store whenever I don the cap, the tang of citrus and fig sharp against my tongue. It is magic in its own right.
The Virēre Eau de Parfum is available for purchase at all Aesop Signature stores, counters, and online.
