Aesop has become truly global over the past five years.
In 2012, the naturally-based brand sold a 65 per cent stake to Natura Cosmeticos for US$71.6 million. The Brazilian beauty giant took full control of the Melbourne-based company in December 2016.
In addition to being sold in some of the world’s top prestige retailers, Aesop has more than 235 standalone stores in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and Asia.
The company has boasted ethical principles from the get-go and has announced its first designer collaboration with UK fashion brand, Raeburn.
The two companies have much in common. Founded by eco-visionary, Christopher Raeburn, in 2008, the brand is noted for re-working surplus fabrics and garments in its menswear, womenswear and accessory ranges.
In 2009, Raeburn received a major award from the International Ethical Fashion Forum in Paris. He has won numerous awards since and has collaborated with The Woolmark Company, Victorinox, the maker of the original Swiss army knife, and German luxury leathergoods maker, MCM.
Raeburn was appointed the first creative director of Timberland, the US outdoors and footwear brand, in 2018. His eponymous Raeburn brand joined the One Percent for the Planet organisation as a corporate member in June this year.
Few details of the beauty collaboration have been revealed, but the first drop will hit stores in January with more to follow.
Aesop is also currently emphasising its sustainability credentials and hopes to gain a B Corp Certification by the end of the year, awarded to businesses with the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.
By 2025, all of Aesop’ s packaging will be reusable, recyclable or recompostable.