As a seasoned gamer with a knack for uncovering hidden gems, I find myself utterly captivated by Isabella Burley’s creation – Climax Books. With roots that stretch across New York, London, and Tokyo, this rare book dealership is not just a store, but an experience that embodies a unique perspective and attitude that resonates deeply with me.
According to Isabella Burley, founder of Climax Books, the establishment has taken on a distinctive perspective and demeanor. She can be found seated on a bench at their New York branch, a venue that echoes Climax’s unyielding attitude – the windows are swathed in vibrant hot pink fabric, and within, a wall mirror is adorned with an oversized decal of a green woman in fishnets. In keeping with its name, Climax functions as a distributor of hard-to-find vintage erotica (in book, magazine, DVD, and VHS formats), but it also houses an extensive assortment of titles spanning art, fashion, and theory.
A brief glance at Climax’s online store reveals an eclectic collection of first edition books spanning various decades. This assortment includes iconic works like Yayoi Kusama’s 1969 publication “An Orgy of Nudity, Love, Sex & Beauty” and Wolfgang Tillmans’ politically charged photobook from 1999, titled “Soldiers: The Ninetie’s”. In addition, you’ll find more recent, though sometimes still thought-provoking, titles by artists such as Precious Okoyomon, Mindy Seu, and Somaya Critchlow. Most of Climax’s inventory is sourced from New York, London, and Tokyo – cities where Burley frequently resides.
Burley explains that Climax focuses on significant pieces from the past which might have been undervalued or neglected. The goal is to present these works in a fresh perspective for a modern audience, while also incorporating contemporary artists whom they strongly support.
Since its online debut in 2020, Climax has been recognized, but Burley, known for her influential role in modern publishing, had already made a name for herself long before then. As a teenager growing up in Southeast London, she nurtured an enthusiasm for magazines that eventually led her to the fashion industry. Her journey started at Dover Street Market where she worked and freelanced on the side. In 2013, Burley was selected to serve as the fashion editor for Dazed, and in 2015, at just 27 years old, she became the magazine’s editor-in-chief, a position she held until 2021. Afterward, she took on the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Acne Studios. Although she refrains from labeling Climax as a “pandemic project,” she admits that the time allowed her to revisit and reconsider the numerous books she had accumulated throughout her life.
Initially, Climax operated as an online business from Burley’s home, shipping books until 2023. In 2023, it was given the opportunity to manage the ground floor of Sadie Coles Gallery in London, in collaboration with the “Hardcore” exhibition, which showcased artworks exploring sexual power dynamics. This three-month temporary store was a hit, suggesting the possibility of a physical store. Later that year, Climax established a permanent storefront in London, serving both as their office and retail space.
Moving into a new city only a year following the opening of our first store is quite an accomplishment, and for Burley, there was no other choice but New York City. The literary atmosphere in New York, specifically the East Village, is exceptional and incomparable.
Although the London branch exudes a homier ambiance, the New York store serves as a bold, iconic representation – a clear flagship. Visually, it’s more daring and alluring, featuring chrome bookshelves showcasing items from the store’s history. A section of the store displays latex shopping bags and pieces from the collaborative collection with Chopova Lowena, a brand originating in London. For this collaboration, designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena have created zip-up hoodies adorned with patches crafted from vintage sweetheart napkins, each featuring an illustration of a girl tearing pages from her diary. The collection also includes graphic t-shirts and a mesh underwear set embellished with the custom Climax-Chopova Lowena logo.
Burley mentions that the climax offers a wide-open platform for collaboration, allowing individuals to produce unique items they’ve never attempted before. For example, Chopova Lowena was previously unfamiliar with creating undergarments.
In October 2023, Climax released its debut book titled “Pissing Women” by Sophy Rickett. This book was overseen by Burley and designed by Christopher Lawson, who is responsible for Climax’s visual aesthetics as well. The book features a collection of 26 black-and-white images from Rickett’s 1995 series, depicting women in office attire relieving themselves on the streets of London.
For Burley, it feels like a fitting resurgence to shape Climax’s publishing program. Just as her viewpoint on the dealership’s overall curation, the book “Pissing Women” was assembled to reintroduce historical works to a fresh audience, while also deepening understanding of the series’ creation by including previously unpublished behind-the-scenes content.
At Climax, we’ve managed to keep two distinct spheres functioning harmoniously in our publishing process,” explains Burley, referring to her company’s involvement in both historical and contemporary realms. Recently, Climax released its second book, a 550-page compilation spanning ten years of work (2014-2024) by artist Martine Syms. Her artwork delves into topics like identity, gender, and Black culture. To celebrate this release, an autograph session was held at the New York store.
Regarding future endeavors for Climax, Burley mentions she’s eager to team up with individuals across various sectors such as art, fashion, literature, and more. She keeps an open mind about potential collaborations, and while the specific nature of the next project is yet to be determined, it will certainly reflect the unique Climax perspective – thought-provoking, engaging, and stimulating.
According to Burley, “Books have formed the base of Climax from the beginning, but it has grown into something far larger, which makes the project all the more exhilarating to be a part of.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-16 00:26