Claire De Rouen Books

This is probably one of the best books/​magazine shops in London. Quite small space but I think it just makes it more special. Awesome selection, as well of independent zines and books. Staff is also so friendly and you can easily have a nice chat with them!

I have been to bookshops all over the world and nothing makes me smile as much as seeing the grand dame Claire De Rouen in her tiny little attic shop surrounded by artistic wonders.
Claire is so knowledgeable and worldy. She has great style and that aristo kind of face where you know that in her day men used to whisk her around the globe and fall at her feet.
She was born in Alexandria, Eygpt — with that great library its no wonder she turned to books and she used to work at Walter Koenig down the road before setting up her own shop. I know all of this because everytime I go in there we have a great old natter, even though she never remembers me!
I love her fashion/​art edit and her brilliant window displays, which are on the street level at the Soho Bookshop.
Although it is expensive (arent books worth it!?) I’ve bought some great cheap fanzines here (including a Valerie Phillps one!) and they keep a varied stock of international fashion and art magazines (including Kids Wear which is full of Bruce Weber pics…), useful as the world renowed fashion school Central St Martins is a few doors down… There are also a lot of back issues of magazines, in case you missed your favourite rag.
Another London hidden gem… great for that special gift.

Despite occupying an extremely tiny room above a sex shop on Charring Cross Road, you’ll have to take my word for it that I had initially found Claire De Rouen Books (specialising in photography and fashion) through by-​chancing upon the window display and noticing the Robert Frank book «The Americans» in the window.
As you walk up the narrow stairwell, you are greeted by a little gallery display some contemporary art prints. It’s worth having a look through; even though I though most of it seemed a little overly-​stylised, there were still some prints that caught my attention.
After rummaging around in here for a while, you should go and check out the bookstore. Although quite expensive (as most art bookstores are), they have a broad selection of books that are often quite hard to find. The shop assistant was able to help me out with my query in a friendly and adequate manner, and I was pleased in general with this quaint little find.