Retail Directory 2011

Bookmarc

New York

Marc Jacobs' Bookmarc is the designer's stab at high-culture legitimacy. Its location is literally legendary - Bleecker Street's iconic Biography Bookshop, which Jacobs supplanted with his own version of the 'curated' literary boutique in September. Like the rest of Jacobs' far-flung empire - both here on Bleecker Street and globally - Bookmarc was designed by Stephan Jaklitsch, the firm's sole architect. He's wisely retained much of the shop's original bookstore bona fides, such as floor-to-ceiling, blonde wood bookshelves. Proving what's old is new again, Jaklitsch has installed a central vintage reading table strewn with gently priced, Jacobs-logoed curios, such as postcards, notebooks and journals. The shop's selection is curated in-house and is nothing if not eclectic. On the literary side, there's everything from chic, contemporary erotica and a hefty assortment of design, art and architecture tomes, to rare, collectible (and covetable) signed coffee-table books and vintage editions. Of course, Jacobs hasn't completely abandoned fashion at Bookmarc; the shop includes a small selection of bags and totes, all with a unique Bookmarc logo. Jacobs has long displayed books at his myriad fashion and accessories boutiques and most - at least in New York - will be displayed at Bookmarc, which also hosts regular live music nights and authors' signings. Look out for the Bookmarc trend expanding to America's west coast in 2011.

400 Bleecker Street, New York
Tel: 1.212 620 4021
www.marcjacobs.com