Hardworking hands of design
For our third consecutive year at Australia’s leading design festival, we reflect on our design philosophy—and the many meticulous hands that craft our stores.
In conversation
At Aesop Collins Street, Clare Cousins and Rodney Eggleston—the collaborators behind some of our most enduring store designs—will gather to share the stories of each space.
Clare Cousins
Director at Clare Cousins Architects, Clare has designed stores including Aesop South Yarra, both iterations of Aesop Fitzroy, and Aesop Collins Street—all in Melbourne—as well as Aesop Paddington in Sydney.
Reflections of the surrounds
There's so much context to draw from to inspire the design of neighbourhood stores. Each location has a rich history which provides a launching point or anchor for the store, even if that genesis of an idea may not be overt in the final build.’ Clare Cousins
Rodney Eggleston
Architect and Director at March Studio, Rodney is a long-standing collaborator of Aesop. He has worked on over twenty stores, both locally and globally, as well as other projects such as our installation at Salone del Mobile Milano 2026.
Guided by what already exists
The work becomes less about expressing a brand image, and more about responding to context, material, and construction. Each project is specific, but aligned.’ Rodney Eggleston
For further reading
All are welcome to visit select Aesop stores across Melbourne to collect a limited-edition publication—a visual exploration of the often-unseen design process. Available for the duration of Melbourne Design Week—or while stocks last—at the following stores:
Aesop Collins Street
162 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Aesop Doncaster
619 Doncaster Road
Doncaster, VIC 3108
Aesop Emporium
269 - 321 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Aesop Flinders Lane
268 Flinders Lane
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Aesop North Melbourne
2 Errol Street
North Melbourne, VIC 3051
Aesop QV
QV Building
Melbourne, VIC 3000
