London shopping: Magma

Lacking inspiration? Feeling lost and parched in a creative desert? Just need to buy a cool gift for someone who’s got everything? Then head to Magma in Clerkenwell for an instant hit of creative refreshment.


This cool spot is a haven for design-types, stocking a wide selection of the latest books on graphic design, art, pop culture, typography, photography, fashion, film and animation, illustration, and architecture. The staff are friendly and knowledgable and can help steer you in the right direction.


But Magma is more than a book shop, with other fun and design-driven products such as stationery and accessories, badges and pins, and vinyl toys by Kid Robot and Nathan Jurevicius.


There is also a wall of the latest design, art and fashion magazines, including overseas and hard-to-find publications.


The front window displays a range of artist-designed t-shirts, like David Shrigley’s cute-n-tragic penguin with an arrow through his heart (£32) and A. Johnson’s (the guy behind the Robinson juice adverts) elephant spouting rainbow drops (£30).


The tiny cigarette-packet-style of classics by the likes of Tolstoy, Conrad and Hemingway make a great gift, as do the beautifully printed tea-towels and hankies by Sukie. The selection of children’s books are also carefully considered, featuring clever graphics and gorgeous illustrations (my personal favourite is Everybody Poos by Tara Gomi).


Magma has a new (non-book) store that has just opened on Earlham Street, which is dedicated entirely to products. Stay tuned for the review.


Magma
117-119 Clerkenwell Road
London EC1R 5BY
Tel: 020 7242 9503

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm

Nearest tube: Faringdon

For more shops in East London, click here.