Aesop prepares to unveil its newest Eau de Parfum, “Above Us, Steorra,” a fragrance that presents amber in a light not often explored. Conceived by Céline Barel, a long-time creative partner of the brand, the scent draws on three abstract sources: Mayuzumi Madoka’s poem Shooting Star, a photograph of the night sky, and the iridescent tones of fossilized resin. These inspirations connect with the star-filled ceiling of Aesop’s Collins Street boutique in Melbourne, where Barel shaped what she describes as “Celestial Amber.”
FRAGRANCES
The fragrance aims to channel both brilliance and subtle subversion. It takes the language of amber and reconfigures it through contrasts of brightness and depth. Barel’s process acknowledges natural references yet situates them in a thoroughly modern composition. The perfume carries a title that suggests movement beyond what is known, echoing the transient nature of shooting stars and the suspended glow of ancient resins.
Aesop presents the fragrance as a “new expression of amber.” It opens with a burst of bergamot, joined by unfiltered cardamom and peppery elemi. This vivid introduction conjures the sensation of a meteor slicing through cool night air. The opening creates a fleeting yet impactful spark, intended to set the tone for what follows.
“Above Us, Steorra” develops into dense, resinous layers. Cypriol Heart, labdanum, and frankincense shape a center that feels rich and enveloping. These notes extend the sense of depth and movement established at the start, pushing the fragrance into darker, more meditative territory. Cardamom reappears here, returning in a spicier, woodier form that links the opening to the heart.
The base completes the arc with vanilla bean, which recalls the warmth associated with amber. Unlike traditional vanillas that emphasize sweetness, this note leans toward a rum-like richness, pulling the amber toward grounded depth rather than confectionary tones.
By choosing woods and resins over powder and sugar, Aesop shifts the classic amber accord. The brand frames the fragrance as alive with motion, animated by spice and density rather than softened by sweet edges.
The design language of Aesop often connects product to story, and “Above Us, Steorra” continues that approach. The perfume presents amber as a field open to reinterpretation. In this context, Barel’s “Celestial Amber” takes shape as a paradox of lightness and density, fire and resin.
“Above Us, Steorra” launches globally on September 1. It will be available through Aesop boutiques and online platforms, priced at $200 USD.
