A creative practice lives and dies by two things—the state of one’s workspace, and the state of one’s hands. Whether the medium is painting or cooking, it’s the environment that sets the tone for the work. And a long day in the studio—not to mention the kitchen—takes a toll on one’s hands.
Enter Aesop. The skincare and fragrance company, known for its sophisticated fragrances and the irresistible textures of its products, is taking care of all the busy hands and hardworking spaces this season with a collection of festive holiday kits designed to enrich the moments we spend with ourselves—cultivating ritual in moments labor. (Imagine taking your hands out of a still-wet clay pot and treating them to a relaxing bissel of silky hand balm). Each kit conjures a distinct sensorial realm: “Party in the Greenhouse” features care products infused with Geranium leaves, while “Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen” includes the brand’s viral finely milled pumice hand wash. The “Library of Aromas” is a compendium of transporting fragrances, and “Bathroom Abundance” creates a sense of spa-like calm at washing-up time. Nine other festive kits round out the collection.
This season, CULTURED partnered with the beloved brand to explore the spaces and rituals that punctuate the working lives of New York’s creative set. Here, Eny Lee Parker, Fernando Mastrangelo, and chef Flynn McGarry open the doors to their creative hubs.
Fernando Mastrangelo
Mastrangelo straddles the ever-blurring line between art and design. In his studio, he makes couches that look like blocks of stone and sconces that seem to emerge from the wall like stalactites. His work can be found in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Flynn McGarry
By now it’s well-known that the restaurateur broke into the New York food scene by opening a bustling spot at age 19. Since then, McGarry has grown into a staple of the downtown culinary scene with intimate insider spots like Gem Wine bar, the chef’s first concept, which he recently transformed into a casual cafe and home goods boutique. Now, McGarry is fully focused on Cove, his most ambitious project yet.
Eny Lee Parker
The designer is known for delicate, minimalistic creations across furniture, lighting, and sculptural objects. Parker has shown her work everywhere from Design Miami to Milan Design Week, and is known for her “puffy” wall sconces and lamps that evoke the sloping hump of a camel.
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