Sinking into beauty

Design Indaba alumnus Ilse Crawford, tasked with designing the Aesop shop pairs modern interventions with endearing revival.

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"We do not subscribe to claims of anti-aging, promises of youth and distorted ideas of beauty but offer plant-derived ingredients that contribute to the positive treatment and maintenance of skin and hair," says Dennis Paphitis, the founder of Aesop body products. Tasked with designing the Aesop shop, Design Indaba alumnus Ilse Crawford translated these values by pairing modern interventions with an endearing revival of pitch pine floors, brass finishes and tweed upholstery. This central ceramic sink was installed to emphasise the ritual of cleansing.

Watch the Talk with Ilse Crawford