Claire de Rouen is a shrine to fashion and photography books, tucked away above a sex shop on Charing Cross road. The entrance is somewhat maze like - go through Soho Original Books on the ground floor, and take the staircase to the right that leads to the first floor gallery, which in turn leads to the bookshop - but this only adds to the illicit thrill of the place. Stock ranges from books by Nick Knight and Diane Arbus to rare, out-of-print, signed and collector editions, including an original autographed copy of David Bailey's 'Flowers, Skulls and Contacts'. Claire is often found pottering about the small space, her adorable pug-cross Otis at her feet.
