Le Labo Dedicates “SHIU 25” City Exclusive Scent to Beijing’s Sacred Courtyards
The niche perfume studio taps the quieter expression of the Ho tree to evoke an enveloping atmosphere of centered calm.
Summary
Le Labo's SHIU 25 anchors powdery iris, olibanum and warm woods around the serene, balancing Shiu note.
The scent draws inspiration from Beijing's He Yuan Lab, a restored Siheyuan courtyard blending wabi-sabi aesthetics with ancient heritage.
Available exclusively in Beijing year-round, it'll be available globally for a limited time.
Le Labo expands its coveted City Exclusive Collection with SHIU 25, an Eau de Parfum dedicated to the city of Beijing. Conceived as an homage to traditional spaces built for quietude and inner return, the fragrance captures the soul of the house’s historic Beijing He Yuan Lab — a culturally protected Siheyuan courtyard nestled in House 19 at Wang Fu Central.
Global Brand President and Creative Director Deborah Royer describes the creation as “an invitation to find centered calm, self-reflection, and a moment of pause in a world that rarely grants one”. By weaving the spirit of ancient craftsmanship with modern contemplation, SHIU 25 serves as an olfactory refuge where creation flows effortlessly from stillness.
The scent narrative centers on Shiu, the quieter and more serene expression of the Ho tree, long revered for its ability to bring balance and inner peace. In this intentionally compact composition, ethereal notes of powdery iris and sacred olibanum float weightlessly above a grounding foundation of warm, anchoring woods. The experience unfolds like a serene walk through hidden courtyard gardens, where gentle shadows dance across well-worn wooden floors and the creative spirit awakens in sacred silence. Soft, resinous, and deeply comforting, SHIU 25 wraps the wearer in an enveloping atmosphere of centered calm, offering a quiet return to the timeless wisdom of the senses.
In true Le Labo fashion, the fragrance is presented in the brand’s iconic industrial-apothecary glass bottle, topped with a minimalist metallic cap and finished with a personalized, typewriter-style label detailing the scent name, date, and owner’s name. For display, the collection is housed in raw, crate-like wooden packaging that reflects the house’s signature wabi-sabi aesthetic, bridging utilitarian design with unpretentious luxury. While SHIU 25 resides exclusively year-round at the Beijing He Yuan Lab, it travels worldwide for Le Labo’s annual City Exclusive event. Discovery sizes (1.5ml) and sample sets become available globally on August 1, 2026, followed by full-sized bottles launching from September 1 through September 30, 2026, on the brand’s website and in select labs worldwide.
