Aesop turns boutiques into Queer and Women’s Libraries giving away empowering books in Berlin Brighton and Taiwan

Ephemeral libraries for underrepresented voices The Aesop Queer Library and Women’s Library temporarily transform selected Aesop stores by clearing product from shelves and replacing it with curated collections of books by LGBTQIA+ authors, women writers and allies.

These installations are built on Aesop’s belief in the transformative power of storytelling, especially when it comes from voices that have historically been overlooked or marginalised.

Visitors are invited to browse the titles in-store and select one complimentary book to keep, with no purchase required—turning a beauty retail space into a free micro-library focussed on empowerment, representation and critical thinking.

2026 editions: Berlin, Brighton and Taiwan This year, the programme includes new chapters in Europe and Asia: In Berlin, the Aesop Queer Reading Room returns to the Aesop Store Kurfürstendamm, running from 22–25 July 2026, creating a dedicated space for queer literature and discussion…