Bill Hall’s High Valley Books in Brooklyn is a Hidden Gem for Fashion and Design Enthusiasts
On a recent Sunday, the buzz of the buzzer at Bill Hall’s home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, never seemed to stop. As fashionable Brooklynites made their way through his entryway and into his sunny living room, lined with vintage fashion magazines and obscure design quarterlies, it was clear that this was no ordinary bookstore.
High Valley Books, located in Mr. Hall’s home, boasts over 50,000 volumes of books and magazines, along with a collection of ephemera that includes wood veneer samples and Lilliput Dictionaries. The store has become a haven for fashion designers, photographers, and stylists looking for inspiration and archival research.
Visits to High Valley Books are by appointment only, made through the store’s landline or via DM on Instagram. First-time visitors are treated to a tour of the store, where Mr. Hall guides them through the stacks according to their tastes. He even takes photos of customers with their finds and posts them on social media.
The store’s clientele includes brand strategists, industrial designers, photographers, and more, all drawn to the unique collection curated by Mr. Hall. With a background in rare book dealing and a passion for books instilled by his family, Mr. Hall has created a space that feels more like a personal collection than a traditional bookstore.
High Valley Books has attracted the attention of fashion designers like Balenciaga, social media influencers like Addison Rae, and online marketplace owners like Adobea Adjei. The store’s influence continues to grow, with customers coming from far and wide to browse the carefully curated selection.
For Mr. Hall, the success of High Valley Books is a testament to the power of a shared love for books and design. As he rings up purchases and shares stories about the provenance of each book, it’s clear that this is more than just a business for him—it’s a passion project that brings joy to both him and his customers.
In a world where digital media often dominates, High Valley Books stands out as a physical space where people can come together, connect, and discover the beauty of printed material. As Mr. Hall puts it, “When it works well, it’s like a little salon where people can meet. It’s wonderful.”
