03 May 2011

The 2 Sides of Aesop

A unique collaboration reimagines the iconic Aesop glass bottle.

Sarah King of Blakebrough+King has worked with Dutch printer Shapeways to create a new twist on the traditional Aesop bottle.

The prototype consists of 2 half bottles that form a whole – inspired by The Other Hemisphere, the exhibition curated by King at this year's Milan Furniture Fair.

The exhibition brought a set of young Australian designers across the globe to Milan. The 2 halves of the Aesop bottle, fitted together, represent the 2 sides of the globe and the feeling we get when we travel, of being there as opposed to here.

Using a 3D printing technique, each bottle half features a positive and negative version of text that lock in when the 2 halves are placed together.

King also worked with industrial designer Ben McCarthy to create the lid that holds the halves together, and with graphic designer Paul Fuog on the labels and branding.

The series of bottles will now be displayed in Aesop stores in London, Paris, Zurich and Basel. It will be interesting to see whether this beautiful, smooth form will be adopted by the brand as part of its regular packaging.

Photograph by Lea Anouchinsky