The late Brandon Truaxe's vision lives on in new Avestan boutique

London's new Avestan flagship will stock just one fragrance, and will be the only physical location of the brand globally

London's Avestan boutique, a tribute to the brand and Decium founder Brandon Truaxe
Avestan launches first physical location in London
(Image credit: press)
By Elly Parsons
last updated

Almost a year since pioneering cosmetics entrepeneur and Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe passed away, a part of his vision is coming to life in London. At noon on 18 December 2019, the door to his fragrance brand Avestan will open, having remained exactly in the same state that he left it. The untouched space, located at 73 Beak Street, will be home to a single unnamed Avestan fragrance, and will also be the only place to experience the brand globally. 

Truaxe created the space for the brand in 2018, and avestan was set to become the first (and only) fragrance brand under the umbrella of ‘the abnormal beauty company’ Deciem, which he co-founded five years prior. But the products were not to be realised in his lifetime. Now, Avestan is launching its first fragrance, and is set out to become known for its humble and refined take on scent. Think: richly detailed fragrance without the overpowering price tags.

Avestan fragrance London launch

(Image credit: press)

The London space, which Truaxe designed alongside Stephanie Wong and Jason Santos, reflects these values. Acting as a touching time capsule for Truaxe, it has been left deliberately unfinished, and fans of Avestan will be cheered to hear that the design is as beautifully raw as the fragrance packaging itself, which comes wrapped in corrugated cardboard, within a simple brown paper bag (pictured above).

‘I had often been told by masters of [fragrance] that aromas reconnect us with our past experiences,' Truaxe once said. This theory appears in the very fabric of the store; which is like a memory box. By night, films created during the development stages of the brand will be projected onto the store ceiling, literally coating the earthy space in Truaxe's vision. Other design notes include bare wooden tables, fragmented blue tiles around an exposed chimney stack, and untreated walls.

Truaxe had been working on Avestan for the best part of a decade. It's commonly thought to be one of his most prized and personal projects, and the Avestan team are deeply committed to holding the brand in the place where he left it. Adding to the sense of memorial and mysticism, no notes or details of the fragrance will be shared, encouraging personal exploration of the scent. This writer experiences clay, charred wood, pepper and cumin; like an ancient, fire-cracked tagine. The unnamed scent will be priced at £38 for 50ml, following the honest pricing approach that Truaxe was so passionately committed to.

Avestan fragrance brand launches first physical location in London

(Image credit: press)

Avestan fragrance brand launches first physical location in London

(Image credit: press)

Avestan fragrance brand launches first physical location in London

(Image credit: press)

Avestan fragrance brand launches first physical location in London

(Image credit: press)

INFORMATION
avestan.com

Elly Parsons

Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.

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