Show Me Your Books

The Aesop Queer Library is one of my favorite initiatives within the beauty space—and the fact that it remains a pillar of the brand’s campaign cycle is commendable, now more than ever. I was lucky enough to be invited back to preview this year’s ephemeral installation (a privilege earned moonlighting as an editor), and couldn’t resist peeking at the 2026 book list. “Body of Work” is the theme—a serious undertaking that could only be trusted with reverent and responsible curators.

Over 115,000 books by LGBTQIA+ authors and allies are now lining select Aesop stores across the country. This might be the most diverse collection of stories yet, in my opinion—featuring writers like Alejandro Varela, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Ocean Vuong, and Torrey Peters. Most people gravitated towards 300,000 Kisses by Seán Hewitt and Luke Edward Hall; it’s a beautiful hardback with short stories illustrated by Hall himself. (This one came highly recommended by the Aesop publicist). Another popular pick seemed to be Stag Dance, which was featured last year and is impossible to miss with its striking cover. Anything by James Baldwin is literary canon, so if you haven’t read his writing yet, start with Giovanni’s Room. Audre Lorde, too: I’m waiting to read The Cancer Journals when I’m in the right state of mind, so I chose Zami: A New Spelling of My Name.

Aesop A Rose By Any Name Body Cleaser + Bottega Veneta Agenda Clutch + Zami by Audre Lorde

The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde + Stag Dance by Torrey Peters

Wearing: Coucou Intimates The Books Baby Tee + Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue Croc-Embossed Brown Leather Pencil Skirt (similar) + Bottega Veneta Agenda Clutch, Espresso

Dressing up for the evening is part of the fun, too. My outfit was rather simple—but this felt like a nostalgic throwback to how I used to dress, especially when I worked in corporate beauty. I’d grown up idolizing Carine Roitfeld (and still do, to be clear), and had collected quite the edit of pencil skirts. This one is a vintage leather one, from Saks Fifth Avenue’s in-house label: croc-embossed, and in the most delicious dark chocolate. A cheeky Coucou baby tee on top—with “show me your b00ks” across the chest—and I felt like I was paying homage to the editor I aspired to be.

The pièce de résistance was my Bottega Veneta Agenda clutch, a recent acquisition I’ve been eager to wear. Perhaps it was a bit overkill, thematically, but I can’t imagine a better—or more fitting—evening to debut the bag. Puffed intrecciato outer to emulate a book or journal cover, gold metal frame as the pages, and the most darling detail: a silver pencil at the opening.

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SHOPMY SENSIBLE EDIT →

xx