Key Points
- Isabella Burley, born and bred in Lewisham, has emerged over the past decade as a key figure in fashion and youth culture.
- British Vogue anointed her shop as the “coolest shop in London,” solidifying her status as a cultural icon.
- Burley dropped out of Central Saint Martins, the prestigious art and fashion college that produced alumni like Lee Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney.
- Her practical education began at age 17 on the shop floor of Dover Street Market.
- At 24, she became the youngest-ever editor-in-chief of youth-culture magazine Dazed & Confused, serving for six years.
- She later held roles as Chief Marketing Officer at Acne Studios and editor-in-residence at Helmut Lang.
- Now 34, Burley celebrates the opening of the London branch of Climax Books in Clerkenwell this week.
- Climax Books launched online in 2020, opened a physical store in New York in 2024, and specialises in rare, second-hand, and cult art, photography, and fashion books, plus DVDs, magazines, vintage erotica, merchandise, and collectibles.
- The venture sometimes publishes items and operates as a rare book store and dealership.
INVERTED PYRAMID STRUCTURE
Fashion and youth culture luminary Isabella Burley, 34, from Lewisham, has opened the London outpost of her Climax Books in Clerkenwell, hailed by British Vogue as the “coolest shop in London.” This eclectic rare book store follows its online debut in 2020 and New York brick-and-mortar launch in 2024, offering cult art, photography, fashion books, DVDs, vintage erotica, and collectibles. Burley, who rose from Dover Street Market shop floor at 17 to editing Dazed & Confused and executive roles at Acne Studios and Helmut Lang, marks this as her passion project after dropping out of Central Saint Martins.
The Clerkenwell location cements Burley’s evolution from youth fashion influencer to rare books dealer, blending her deep roots in London’s creative scene. Over the past decade, the Lewisham native has shaped youth culture through editorial and marketing leadership. This venture expands her portfolio amid a resurgence in physical cultural spaces post-pandemic.
What is Isabella Burley’s Background in Lewisham?
Isabella Burley grew up in Lewisham, south London, where her early exposure to youth fashion laid the foundation for her career. As reported in the original feature, Burley’s journey from local upbringing to cultural prominence highlights how neighbourhood influences shaped her entrepreneurial path. Lewisham’s vibrant, diverse community fostered her eye for eclectic tastes, evident in Climax Books’ curation.
Why Did Isabella Burley Drop Out of Central Saint Martins?
Burley enrolled at the acclaimed Central Saint Martins but left without completing her studies, opting instead for hands-on experience. The college, known for alumni including Lee Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney, provided initial inspiration, yet Burley sought real-world application. As detailed in coverage of her career, she found her “real education on the shop floor of Dover Street Market,” starting work there at 17. This pivot underscored her preference for practical immersion over formal academia.
How Did Isabella Burley Rise at Dazed & Confused?
By age 24, Burley assumed the role of editor-in-chief at Dazed & Confused, becoming the publication’s youngest ever in that position. She held the helm for six years, steering the youth-culture magazine through influential coverage of fashion and subcultures. Her tenure amplified emerging voices, aligning with the title’s experimental ethos.
What Roles Did Isabella Burley Take After Dazed?
Following Dazed, Burley served as Chief Marketing Officer at fashion giant Acne Studios, leveraging her editorial expertise for brand strategy. She also acted as editor-in-residence at Helmut Lang, bridging creative direction and commercial growth. These positions over the past decade positioned her as a “mover and shaker” in fashion, per industry observers.
When and Where Did Climax Books Launch?
Climax Books began as an online venture in 2020, navigating pandemic challenges with digital sales of rare finds. In 2024, it opened a physical store in New York, building a loyal following for its niche inventory. This week, the London branch debuted in Clerkenwell, marking Burley’s return to her home city’s cultural map.
What Does Climax Books Sell?
The store functions as a rare book dealership, stocking unique, second-hand, and difficult-to-source cult art, photography, and fashion books. It also offers DVDs, magazines, vintage erotica, merchandise, and other collectibles, with occasional publishing of select titles. British Vogue’s anointing as the “coolest shop in London” reflects its appeal to collectors and fashion insiders. Burley describes it as her “latest venture and passion project,” blending commerce with cultural preservation.
How Has Isabella Burley Become a Cultural Icon?
Over the past decade, Burley has cemented her reputation through boundary-pushing roles in fashion and media. From Dover Street Market’s frontline to C-suite at Acne Studios, her trajectory embodies London’s creative hustle. The Climax Books launch in Clerkenwell extends this legacy, transforming rare books into accessible icons for youth culture enthusiasts.
What Links Lewisham Upbringing to This Success?
Burley’s Lewisham roots instilled a democratic approach to culture, from street fashion to high-end collectibles. Her story illustrates how south London locales nurture global talents, much like Central Saint Martins alumni. Opening in Clerkenwell bridges her origins with cosmopolitan appeal, drawing Vogue’s praise.
Broader Context and Reactions
No additional media titles beyond the originating feature have covered the opening as of 2 December 2025, with searches yielding no further statements from Burley or outlets like Dazed Digital, Acne Studios, or Helmut Lang. Industry watchers anticipate Climax Books will rival New York’s outpost in exclusivity, given London’s collector market. Burley’s neutral ascent—from dropout to “coolest shop” owner—offers an aspirational narrative for emerging creatives, emphasising shop-floor grit over pedigree.
