GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop
The name Claire de Rouen has long been associated with a carefully curated selection of photography, fashion and art books. Her original store, hidden above a Soho sex shop, was a cult destination for artists, designers and collectors. David Bailey was a fan, once describing it as ‘maybe the best photography bookshop in the world’.
De Rouen’s legacy lives on in the current location in Bethnal Green, headed up by Chantal Webber. It remains intimate and unassuming, stocking the uncommon, the extraordinary, and cutting-edge publications alongside timeless classics. On my most recent visit, it was this rare Helmut Newton 1994 catalogue that caught my eye – just one of the gems that would grace any lucky coffee table.
More than just a retail space, Claire de Rouen remains a hub for creative exchange, hosting readings, signings and launches. I loved their Burns Night edition conversation and signing of Robbie Lawrence’s Long Walk Home: a double-volume publication with candid images of the Highland Games and extended text by John Burnside, on how the Scots and the Scottish diaspora have reformed the Games to suit contemporary cultural needs. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with future events. –Amy Rose Holland
→ Shop: Claire de Rouen Books (Bethnal Green) • 260 Globe Rd • Wed-Sat 12-6p.