Portugal’s Claus Porto

A pretty soap is an elegant token to receive—and yet a too beautiful package can deter us from actually unwrapping the gift and lathering up. The barrier of beauty was a concern for Dutch designer Anne-Margreet Honing when recently tasked with revamping the look of Portugal’s Claus Porto, a 130-year-old luxury line known for its lusciously scented shea butter soaps wrapped in arresting art deco packaging.

“Claus Porto’s strength was also its Achilles heel,” says Honing. The trick was to keep the bright patterns while “composing and adding a contemporary freshness” to their visual riotousness. They also introduced candles and bath products that can be used or displayed on one’s vanity.

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