For a wardrobe-like library, JUDY ANTON-ANSARI

tops the best dressed’s reading list

Judy Anton-Ansari wears dress by Paule Ka at Harvey Nichols, shoes by Christian Louboutin at Saks Fifth Avenue and earrings by her own label, Tobi the Cat Candy. Hair: Stephanie at Salon INK. Make-up: Bobbi Brown at Bloomingdale’s. Shot on location at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC

220|Harper’s BAZAAR INTERIORS

Words and styling by SHANNON WYLIEPhotography by LESTER ALI

OnceTIME

UPON A

o put me into a sentence is a diffi cult thing to do,” says German-

born-Dubai-based Judy Anton-Ansari, 38, who has made it her

mission to make the UAE better-read. From a love of reading, Judy has developed a business built around

her passion. “I’m the person who couldn’t live without books,” she sighs,

“new media or not, a beautiful book is still a beautiful book.” Last year, Judy teamed up with Potterton Books from the UK to provide exclusive, out-of-print and fi rst edition titles to Middle Eastern customers. She now creates bespoke libraries for private and corporate clients, stocked with seriously covetable coffee table titles covering interiors, entertaining, fashion,

“Books are an escape to another world” – Judy Anton-Ansari

Harper’s BAZAAR INTERIORS |221

jewellery, garden, decoration and lifestyle. Leveraging the skills of her husband’s family-owned business, Shaheen Interiors FZE, the one-of-a-kind libraries are already a favourite with the ruling families across the Gulf. “If you have the space and interest, go for it,” advises Judy, who can help imagine-up the ideal place for your books to sit pretty. “Any sideboard, windowsill or bedside table is perfect for showcasing your coffee table book treasures,” she urges those who may not have the space or inclination to build an entire library.

More than simply a business venture, books, Judy says, have shaped her life. “For me, books have been an escape to get to another world, to live someone else’s life, to learn something absolutely new, to admire something truly beautiful.” In 2001 Judy took a leaf out of Karen Blixen’s Out of Africa experience and ventured to Nairobi to relive the steps of the Baroness, who wrote her bestselling classic among the wilderness, and to see where the eponymous Oscar-winning fi lm was made. “It’s probably my favourite book of all time and I’ve seen the movie a hundred times. I can still remember now sitting in that house,” she smiles, adding that the experience was made even more memorable thinking, “of Robert Redford sitting there sipping afternoon tea.”

But it is where publishing meets fashion and design that Judy’s worlds really collide, as evidenced by her own personal collection of tomes signed by the likes of Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, Diane von Furstenberg, Manolo Blahnik and Oscar de la Renta. “I’ve been in love with Tom for a long time,” she giggles, “But meeting Oscar de la Renta was as equally exciting because I’m in love with his clothes.” Alongside her own wardrobe fi lled with Christian Louboutin, Oscar, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton, Judy is starting to branch out with her own creations. “I’m designing jewellery, I’m designing dresses,” she confi des, “all the pretty things. I’ve collected quite a bit of bling over the years!” Indeed her own jewellery line, Tobi the Cat Candy, which is made in Italy, is already fl ying off shelves in boutiques across America, but, “bringing it to Dubai, that’s the next step.” ■

Judy Anton-Ansari’s libraries and books are available by calling +971 (0) 50 551 4731 or emailing treibgutmiddleeast@hotmail.com

TALKING POINT

Best BOOKSJudy picks her favourite

coffee table books

Fashion HISTORY

Alongside coffee table tomes Judy also offers original Christian Dior

sketches from the 1970s

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS (Dhs1,965)

CARTIER: JEWELERS EXTRAORDINARY

(Dhs1,045)

MAUBOUSSIN: EDITIONS DE REGARD

(Dhs4,605)

THE ART AND CRAFT OF GIANNI VERSACE

(Dhs580)

DREAM HOMES OF LEBANON AND

BEYOND(Dhs840)

CHANEL BY JEAN LEYMARIE

(Dhs260)

BE DAZZLED! NORMAN HARTNELL

SIXTY YEARS OF GLAMOUR AND

FASHION(Dhs380)

CHRISTIAN DIOR SKETCHES (from

Dhs8,500 to Dhs10,500) “They are believed to

have been designed for Nan Kempner who was a great American socialite and charitable hostess in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

To own a true piece of history created by the

master himself? Unbelievable. Not

repeatable and once they are gone they’ll be gone. I still play with the idea of getting one for my own

dressing room.”