Reflecting back on 2010, we tapped the Editor and Publisher of Qlix Magazine to give her top 10 print mags of 2010
Tenisha Anderson, a self-professed print-junkie, whose brick and mortar magazine, Qlix, continues to win accolades not only for its clever style and innovative format but also for its treasure-trove of content, picks the best print magazines of the year.
The GentleWoman – Since The GentleWoman's (sister to the equally stimulating The FantasticMan) debut earlier in 2010, it’s been a magazine that pushes the intellectual fashionistas buttons. From its simple, and easy navigational layout with TOCs dividing editorial sections, to the Modernisms (mini interviews/chit chats) with some of the most provocative and inspiring women on the planet, everything is clean in this mag. The GentleWoman unequivocally makes one feel smarter about having a “passion for fashion”. www.thegentlewoman.com/
Industrie – Taglining itself as “The World’s First Culture of Fashion Magazine”, one can’t help think…”has this already been done before?” However, Industrie definitely pulls in some interesting reads and editorial spreads. From an in-depth expose on celeb-editors (editor cover stars); to the most recent ( ISSUE 02) questionable, but thought provoking, list: The New Creatives; or a "how to look good naked photo story", Industrie has cornered the market on calling a spade a spade, although not without occassional condescension. As an added benefit, the binding of the print magazine is cool and organic. www.industriemagazine.com/
Contributor – Having been an online fan of Contributor since 2009, I was excited to learn that they were going to put pixels to pages with their first print issue out earlier this year (2010). Though the print version comes off as a celebrity focused fashion pub (nothing wrong with that), the print version of Contributor is consistent with providing uber cool fashion stories, just as on their website. And the articles are just as interesting, especially (from ISSUE n°01) Antonia Nessen’s musings on her love of nostalgia, and Daniel Björk’s musings on stylish straight Swedes. www.contributormagazine.com/
Tank - I love this magazine not only because it remains the preeminent source of up-to-the-minute news from Europe's fashion crowd, but because this year in particular, they’ve changed paper stock and binding, giving us a raised, glossy stock for the cover, a matte paper interior, and spiral binding for flip-through prowess. www.tankmagazine.com/
Lula - Pretty never goes out of style, and I’m keeping this review of Lula magazine short and sweet. I’m always impressed with just how whimsical and pretty this magazine remains, while providing content (both visual and textual) that keeps its audience on their toes. One of my favorite issues this year was ISSUE 10. The cover tribute to Strawberry Shortcake and the gang is 100% Lula and exemplifies the off-beat content combined with the effervescent, happy quaintness of the magazine. ISSUE 11 was guest edited by the Rodarte girls…such a treat! www.lulamag.com/
T Magazine (The New York Times Style Magazine) – This publication is (both online and off) is always a great go-to for more commercial content within the fashion industry and its inside players. Plus, although it's a mainstream mass-targeted publication…you can always count on T Magazine to throw in editorials from the expected (review of Victoria Beckham’s handbags…love squared) to the unexpected… (an interview on Nicki Minaj and her Roman alter ego). What's not to love? www.nytimes.com/pages/t-magazine/
Monocle - Because Tyler Brulé is a demi-god on the relevancy of print, while providing other ancillary projects (i.e. Monocle Shop, Monocle radio, Monocle Alpino (newspaper) and now Monocle TV) to ultimately support the #1 medium of the Monocle brand—the print magazine. Plus, where else can you read about Cire Trudon (an historic candle maker in Normandy); or read a fashion story inspired by Korean Christmas; or learn (even if it is via an advertisement) that the W Hotel has just opened in Taipei? http://www.monocle.com/
I Love You Magazine - During a visit to NYC this year, I ventured to one of the many Universal News stands and came across I Love You Magazine, and yes it was love at first sight. My interest, I confess, was piqued all the more by the matte paper stock throughout and the various typography. While normally I am not a huge fan of “editor’s letters”, the letters Christiane Bördner pens make me recant such a statement. It's lapidary storytelling with few words.. www.iloveyou-magazine.com/
Self Service - I'm hooked on this magazine for the simple fact that the size (I’m a huge proponent of unconventional formats for magazines) of Self Service is equal to a large child’s fairy-tale book (even at $35 a pop!). I’m also enamored with the off the cuff tone of certain articles, and the fact that the editors take intriguing cover quotes from subjects they’ve interviewed (i.e. issues 30 and 32). www.selfservicemagazine.com/
