Beside countless books of various genres one can buy at our bookstores or e-shops, a wide range of exclusive and luxury books are also available in Slovakia. Can book become a beautiful and elegant item, a gem that shines in every bookcase? Can a book become an art form also in its appearance? Yes, it can, says Gabriela Belopotocká, the executive director of the Ikar publishing house, the portfolio of which includes a Luxury Books edition of intended for those who can appreciate exceptional publications.
What inspired you create an e-shop with luxury books?
Our goal has been to challenge certain stereotypes. We all know it – when you are invited to a birthday party of a friend or you want to reciprocate a favour, you often can’t think of a nice gift save for a bottle of cognac or whiskey. It’s nice, but you must admit it’s not exactly original or inspired. On the other hand, a beautiful book is a great gift for both men and women. And if you know the hobbies of your friends or family, you can hand-pick a book especially for them.
What books do you offer in your Luxury Books edition?
As the name suggests, it includes luxury publications, rare items published in limited numbers, as well as original titles you can’t find anywhere else in Slovakia. We offer gorgeous books that satisfy even the most demanding of our readers – in their contents as well as appearance. Many titles of the Luxury Edition are true masterpieces, books made by special techniques. Sometimes they are literally hand-made, bound in leather, decorated with gold and jewels, illustrated with rare drawings and paintings of renowned artists. With this type of books, we pay special attention to the printing process itself, using special a printing press and cutting-edge technology.
What genres can you find in the Luxury Books edition?
You can find a whole bunch of different genres. We offer interesting and rare fiction books, such as an original gift edition of Mario Puzo’s Godfather mafia trilogy, whose protagonist, Don Corleone, is one of the iconic and best-known fictional characters written in the last half century. Then we have beautiful books on fine arts, such as Illustrations from the Sixties by the phenomenal Salvador Dali. The art lovers will appreciate the most beautiful collection of fine arts ever published as a book called The Museum of Art. On the other hand, those who like cars will be thrilled by Ferrari 275 GTB, which guides you step by step through the entire construction of this masterpiece among cars. Others may be interested in rare editions of the Bible, exclusive books dedicated to fashion, travelling, design and architecture, cooking… These books are great in their contents but they make every bookcase appear spectacular.
In what languages can you read these books?
In Slovak, Czech, English and Italian.
There is a saying in Slovak that when something is good, you can’t get much of it. Is this also the case for your luxury books?
Several of our books included in the luxury edition are published in a strictly limited numbers, which can range from one hundred to several hundred. This is one of the things that makes them so rare.
And their price is another one, right?
Indeed. But luxury items are always expensive. There are people in Slovakia, though, who can appreciate the exclusive contents and artistic aspect of these books and are willing to pay the price. Our most expensive books were sold out the fastest, whether it was The Dali Bible, The Infinite Leonardo or The Sistine Chapel.
Is luxury fashionable nowadays?
People were always drawn to rare, luxurious things? It’s a mistake to think this a recent phenomenon. You can take a look at the history of clothes, furniture, art, but also old books, illustrated and richly decorated, bound in leather. They are rare and stored in showcases, so that not only us but also the future generations can admire them. I believe that our children and grandchildren are going to admire what we created today, including our luxury books.
What titles can we look forward to in the Luxury Books Edition?
After we published The Infinite Leonardo, which met with an unusual, even unexpected response, we are working on other books on renaissance geniuses. By the end of this year, we are going to publish a book that will guide you through the life and work of Michelangelo Buonarroti, but we also plan to publish a piece on one most important figures among painters, Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio. I can’t reveal anything else, or we’ll be too busy picking up calls from the impatient collectors.
Does your Luxury Books edition offer only books?
Almost 100%. But we have recently expanded our offer by the Accessories section. So far, we have a design Bible stand made of molten glass by Achilleas Sdoukos, a glass artist and designer. We are planning to add more pieces, but they will always be related to books one way or another.
The Impossible Collection of Wine
In this stunning new addition to the Assouline Ultimate Collection, Enrico Bernardo, the world’s best sommelier, imagines the perfect cellar filled with the most exceptional wines of the twentieth century: The Impossible Collection of Wine. Weighing the virtues of rarity, terroir, taste, and historical mystique, Bernardo’s is a list any connoisseur could only dream of. In these pages, Bernardo celebrates exquisite vintages from around the globe—from the 1928 Krug Collection Champagne to the 1951 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 to the 1973 Stag’s Leap Estate SLV—inviting the reader on a journey through history to savor an impossible collection.
Elie Saab
The designer magnifies femininity, building his fairy-tale creations with simple designs, the finest materials, delicate hand-embroidery, intricate detail, and a sophisticated fusion of cultural influences. Saab s specialty is the ultimate dress that highlights a woman s silhouette, making him a go-to designer for international stars and royaltyincluding Catherine Zeta-Jones, Beyonce, Aishwarya Rai, Emmanuelle Beart, Marion Cotillard, Berenice Bejo, Princess Victoria of Sweden, and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Words & Photos: IKAR