Meet the Judges

Early fans of Opening Ceremony will remember how the brand, from the very beginning, felt like one big family—“family” being the artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, friends, and friends-of-friends who were drawn to Carol and Humberto’s hyper-creative, fun-filled world of dance parties, rooftop barbeques, and even scavenger hunts—real ones—that made a playground of lower Manhattan. As Opening Ceremony’s fame and platform grew, they moved the fun to the global stage, producing high-level mashups like their iconic “fashion films,” their faux-furry Where the Wild Things Are capsule collection, and their unforgettable 2018 runway show staged at Disneyland. To this day, all are welcome in Humberto & Carol’s world, as long as you come with an open mind and a thirst for fun. We’re thrilled to bring this legacy to the first annual Booktique Awards by having OC’s cofounders as judges. Welcome to our family, Carol and Humberto!

Here Carol tells us what she loves about coffee table books—and proves you don’t need a coffee table to enjoy them.

Of all the books you judged, which one really spoke to you and why? Ice Cold. From the spine to the front cover to the content inside, it appealed to me on all levels. 

Was there a specific page, or image, or section of any of the six books that you’d like to point out to our readers? A favorite part from any of the books that you don’t want them to miss? In Captivate!, I loved the “Back to Reality” section [page 174] because I distinctly remember that period of time and how a new style of photography was emerging. 

Did being a judge (and/or did a specific book you judged) spark new creative connections or inspire new ideas you’d like to explore in your life or work? Books, like films and music, can spark creative movements. Recently, my younger daughter has taken an interest in outer space, and while I was judging the books for the Booktique Awards, we looked at The Space Shuttle together, page by page. Now we find ourselves reading together more often. We sit together and pick a book to look at together.  

What’s your favorite thing about coffee table books, and/or your favorite type of coffee table book? I like that your coffee table book choices are a reflection of what you are interested in at that moment in time and how placing them in your space creates an opportunity to communicate those interests to others. Book covers can send messages. What's interesting is what the message is for each person. 

At Booktique, we say “Read Beautifully” and we invite each person in our community to define it however they choose. What comes to mind when you think “Read Beautifully”? A place? A favorite person? A time of day? A color? A certain type of imagery? A specific book? Any image of someone reading is beautiful to me, from seeing someone reading on the bus to seeing my girls read under their blanket with a reading light.   

What’s on your coffee table right now, book or otherwise? I recently moved so I don't have a coffee table right now! But lately I am into photography books. My friend Shaniqwa Jarvis recently published a book of her art in conjunction with a recent gallery show here in LA. Also, our friend Jerry Hsu has a new book out called Lonley City that is amazing.  

What’s a topic you’ve been wanting to learn more about lately? I want to learn more about gardening!