When she was just 24, Isabella Burley became the editor-in-chief of Dazed magazine. After an unorthodox start at Central Saint Martens (where she spent only three months) and Dover St Market, she landed the job of fashion editor at Dazed, where she worked until she was promoted to editor-in-chief in 2015.
The editor, creative consultant, and founder of Climax Books has a sense of self-possession that only those who have worked their way up through the ranks in fashion publishing have; it's a distinct air of trust in herself—and her taste and ideas—that gives it away. Burley is warm upon meeting her. She is quiet and thoughtful and you can tell, pretty instantly, that her world is one built around deep curation of her life and work.
After all, Burley's resume doesn't end with Dazed. After her tenure at the British culture publication, the Londoner went on to work as the editor-in-residence at Helmut Lang where she ushered in Shayne Oliver's oeuvre before becoming the chief marketing officer at Acne Studios. Now, she's a (relatively) free agent, working as a creative consultant and running Climax Books, a rare bookstore specializing in art, fashion and photography books with two bricks-and-mortar stores in London and New York. Tucked away on East 4th St, Climax's almost fully chrome, mirrored interior feels like you are entering a spaceship instead of a rare book archive, but packing the shelves and sitting on the sparse, singular display table are books from both past and present.
I went to visit Burley on one of her trips to visit her store in New York's Noho neighborhood, which stocks a small range of Climax's retail offering of thoughtfully designed merch alongside the books, to discuss the Climax universe, the Climax customer, and her personal style.
Where do you work?
"At Climax Books!"
What do you do when you’re not working at the store?
"I work with fashion brands on creative direction and strategy. If I'm not working, I'm hanging out with my puppy Bambi."
What inspired you to open the store?
"New York has such an amazing book culture, I've always been drawn to it. I really felt like there was space for Climax to exist and push the boundaries of what a bookstore could be."
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
"Honestly, everything! Our amazing customers. All of the crazy books we discover!"
How would you describe your personal style?
"I'm pretty classic, but with a perverse twist."
Who are your style icons?
"'90s Parker Posey in Party Girl. The most iconic librarian ever!"How do you get dressed in the morning?
"I'm always running out the house, so I'm pretty grab and go."
Has Climax changed or influenced your style at all?
"I'm forever looking through all of our amazing books for inspiration. We're also constantly making new wearables pieces, so I'm often stealing samples from the office to wear tests a new fit or graphic. Whenever we get a new delivery of a product, I wear it non-stop! Right now I'm wearing our pink cropped hoodie all the time."
