Paperdoll Portfolio # 2

LE COOL

WHAT IS LE COOL?
le cool is a publishing company that is passionate about cities. Founded in
2003 in Barcelona, we constantly seek out the best experiences on offer,
through the eyes of those who know the city best. We aim to highlight the
secrets of a city for a select audience, in a unique and emotional way. We
highly value editorial and design values in everything we do. Current local
editions: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam. Forthcoming, Istanbul
and London.

LE COOL MAGAZINE
le cool is a free weekly email magazine featuring a selection of cultural
events and leisure activities, revealing what is worthwhile and the things
that you really shouldn't miss. We filter out the best events, exhibitions,
films, concerts & DJs, as well as a careful selection of extraordinary bars,
restaurants and other fine places around the city. All our content is chosen
because we believe it is worth our readers' time, and will never be traded
for money or favours.

LE COOL COVERS
Each week a new artist, graphic designer or photographer is asked to
design a cover for le cool, which reflects his or her view of the city. In the
Amsterdam edition we have published covers from artists like DHM,
Zender, Ottograph, Tinkebell, Postpanic, outoforder, and many more. A
selection of covers are pictured on the right.

Anneloes van Gaalen,
Amsterdam editor
le cool magazine

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

"When you visit Barcelona, do you know which side of the tracks is the
wrong side? Or where you'd go to find a Catalan hangout? An English
newspaper? A fancy hotel library to read it in? Or where to see a
declining drag queen (and Dalí muse) named Violeta La Burra? That's
why you need a copy of "le cool Changed My Life —"A Weird and
Wonderful Guide to Barcelona" le cool has become the travel guide for
the been-there-done-that set. Any old guide can list hotels and
landmarks and decent restaurants. le cool will not only send you to the
most authentic tapas bar, but it will also tell you which bar stool to
occupy. "
– The New York Times

"This chunky little volume reads more like your hippest good friend. Its
pages resemble a graphic art magazine more than the typical text-heavy
guidebook. Inside is a selection of locals’ favourite parts of the city, with
directions and roughly sketched backstreet maps to the coolest cafés,
such as La Bascula, an organic café hidden down an alley in a candle
shop. What you won't find is how to get from the airport to La Rambla or
the cost of admission to the Sagrada Familia. Instead you will find an
intriguing mix of some of the best Barcelona has to offer a youthful
audience, away from the tourist hordes"
– The Independent’s list of the Ten Best Travel Guides in the World

"This chunky little red book is a guidebook with a difference. It’s written,
compiled and designed by Barca-based contributors, and shies away
from the usual boring cityguide style. Like the city itself, the design is
vibrant and quirky – the grid has been chucked out of the window and it’s
a feast for the eyes, but if you’re looking for something in particular, there’
s still a handy index at the back. It’s an “eclectic, personal selection of
the best in the city” and for anyone who wants to do more than trawl up
and down Las Ramblas swigging cheap Cava, and get to grips with the
real Barcelona, it’s essential reading. Get your hands on one ASAP."
– Grafik

"The le cool guide to Barcelona is a tremendous book - made by
soliciting information from locals on their favorite undiscovered, insider
spots, and beautifully laid out in a great, designy, lush edition. I've got a
copy and it's a terrific read: witty and exciting, makes me want to get back
to Barcelona! This is really a fine guide."
– Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing

Also featured in: The Observer, Vogue, Metropolis, Neo2, Gridskipper,
Olive, The Sunday Telegraph...