Marc hearts books (and so do I)


I love fashion and I love books, so I’m champing at the bit at the idea of the newly poshed-up Louis Vuitton store in New Bond Street which opens this week. It has been conceived as ‘the home of a collector who loves only the best and most rare’, according to the Daily Telegraph. One of its star features will be a “librairie” of select British contemporary art books and bespoke commissions by the likes of Anish Kapoor, Chris Ofili and Gary Hume.

Marc Jacobs is something of a bibliophile. In addition to a well-curated fashion-art-photography book section in his South Audley Street Marc by Marc Jacobs store, there’s a Marc Jacobs bookstore pencilled to open later this year in New York’s West Village. (The name? Duh, Bookmarc of course.)

If you’re in the market for a nice fash-art-photog bookshop experience in London, may I also recommend:

Phaidon Books, Piccadilly: A good selection of books and an equally good selection of blank cards – excellent for last minute gift-buying for that fussy, fashion-literate friend.

Claire de Rouen: The go-to store for an obscure or rare find as well as more of-the-moment books. Secreted on the first floor of The Soho Original Bookshop in Charing Cross Road, it has a cosy, in-the-know feel about it without being the least bit pretentious (did I just contradict myself there?). Now that Boders is gone, it’s one of the best places to find elusive, international fashion mags.

Waterstone’s, Piccadilly: The art-fashion bit has moved from the 5th floor to the ground floor but it’s still a lovely, genteel browsing experience. Why not buy a book and spend an hour in the 5th floor cafe perusing it?

Idea Books at Dover Street Market (pictured): Are you insanely rich? Do you love 80s new-wave imagery, 80s Andy Warhol and 80s Fiorucci-esque graphics? Then don’t miss Idea Books at Dover Street Market. The books are all vintage, sourced by Angela Hill and cost a bomb. But if you can afford it, they’re worth it.

The Shop at Bluebird: The books are arranged haphazardly in a colossal bookcase that takes up an entire wall. The beauty in browsing here is you really feel like you have stumbled upon something and if you don’t get it now, you may miss your chance. Clever. If you go before 31st May you can also catch the Rag & Bone pop-up shop.

Liberty: Quite a small book department but oh what a pleasant one! Sit on the giant squashy sofa by the window while you page through lavish coffee table tomes. Don’t nod off.

What’s your favourite bookshop?