Things That Have Made Me Feel Something: Recent Magazine Pickups
“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”
Thank goodness that statement doesn’t apply to magazines!
Over the past few months I’ve added a few new issues to my magazine collection.
With so many great covers and stories from various publications hitting stands each month, I try to be intentional with what I pick up. These are the magazines that made it home:
1) The Cut, Sept 2024, “A Special Issue”
September was a busy month for me. From my birthday to NYFW to traveling across the country, I spent more time on airplanes than I usually do. And though, most times I opt for sleep or continue my scrolling via wifi access, I still made it a priority to pick up a new magazine to dive into. On one occasion as I hurried to board my flight, I stopped by the airport convenience store & grabbed a copy of The Cut.
One of my favorite online publications to read, The Cut is New York Magazine’s women’s fashion and lifestyle publication. This specific print issue is so special, because it is The Cut’s first solo issue. Before, articles from The Cut were included in New York Magazine, but never had there been an issue printed solely with their unique content.
Beyond how iconic being the first is, I also grabbed this issue because it features Chloë Sevigny in suits inspired by legendary male movie characters for her 50th birthday, (I love a good suit on a woman) thirst traps from Usher, Amelia Dimoldenberg, colorful closets from stylish New Yorkers, (I’m manifesting their homes & wardrobes for myself) and so so much more. This publication is great for the reader who likes lifestyle perspectives, doesn’t mind reading extensive quirky cultural stories, but is just as interested in strong imagery and of course current fashion.
2) ESSENCE, Sept/Oct 2024, “The Fashion Issue”
It’s no secret that Essence Magazine is my favorite magazine in the world. It’s been a staple to me, as it relates to Black womanhood, for my entire life. I remember growing up and sometimes we would randomly get copies mailed to us. I look back and wish I would have taken better care of those copies and held on to them. So in my adulthood, I am ensuring I grab the issues that interest me most.
My latest pickup is the Sept/Oct issue of cover star Tems. I first seen this issue in person on display at this year’s NYFW Essence Fashion House. Following the event, as a birthday present to myself, I purchased a copy. With a focus on fashion, this issue features Tems written & styled by the incomparable Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Sabrina Elba, Aleali May, Kamala Harris, June Ambrose, JT, and more Black woman centric stories.
Of all the magazines featured on this list, visually this issue is the strongest from start to finish in my opinion. The imagery is always so rich and energetic, & I am also a big fan of Essence’s current print design direction. (The font choice & way the words frame around JT’s body >> #chefskiss) Leading the conversation as it pertains to Black woman fashion, I give the styling in this issue 10’s across the board.
3) GQ, Oct 2024, “The Business Of Being Beyoncé Knowles-Carter”
Before I considered purchasing this issue of GQ in print, I read the full cover story from my phone, on a bus from New York to New Jersey. I sat in the window seat a few rows from the back of the bus, dark noise blasting through my headphones, world tuned out. By the time we arrived at my stop, mixed feelings of daily fatigue and evening hunger were smothered by hope and the yearn to keep learning & creating.
Beyond Beyoncé’s inspiring words on Cowboy Carter, entrepreneurship, ancestry and what’s keeping her inspired, I was also so mesmerized by the images. For a while now I have been wanting to purchase a copy of GQ because of how strong their spreads are. From Bryce Anderson who photographed Bey, to Jack Bridgland who has photographed multiple times for GQ, this publication has done such an amazing job establishing & maintaining a clear voice and visual identity as it pertains to print publications of this decade.
Along with Beyoncé, this issue features Lamar Jackson, artists’ Wes Lang, Kindred Motorworks, as well as personal finance advice. The contents of this magazine pushed me out of comfort zone to learn more about topics I don’t usually gravitate towards. (ex. cars, lol)
4) W Magazine, Oct 2024, “The Originals Issue”
What do you do when you’ve had a light shopping day in Manhattan, your phone is about die and you’re hungry? You buy a copy of W Magazine and eat some pasta in Little Italy!
No seriously, early this October I found myself back in New York, with a free day before Culture Con. After a slow morning, I headed to Soho for a bit of browsing and shopping. Before I knew it, the sun had gone down, my phone’s battery was quickly depleting, and my stomach growls were loud. I popped into Iconic magazines and grabbed what at the time was an unreleased copy of W Magazine, because I wanted something to keep me occupied over dinner and my commute home.
As I flipped through the pages over spaghetti, I felt moved. (And no it wasn’t the strawberry frozé talking) I like this magazine because it’s physically larger in size than most other publications (10in x 13in) and its boasts with fierce photos. From the ads to the stories, this issue made me want to pick up my camera & shoot!
With features of party photos from Nadia Lee Cohen, a look book in layers, Vote posters from elders, a feature on Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian’s book Inside the Homes of Artist: For Art’s Sake, and of course images of ASAP Rocky shot by Rihanna. (22 pages of photos… that’s my kind of carryin’ on!) And the best part is there’s even more to discover in this issue.
5) Harper’s BAZAAR, Nov 2024, “The Voices Issue”
Last but certainly not least, to round out this list I picked up the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Covered by who I believe to be the man of the year; Kendrick Lamar. When this publication went live with the cover story on Instagram I jumped! Then I ran straight to my group chat to gawk over one of my favorite best dressed musicians and certified haters.
Interviewed by SZA, I enjoyed the laidback feel to this cover story. I appreciated most, when Kendrick shared that to him, his hit song Not Like Us, “is the energy of who I am, the type of man I represent.” He also shared, “This man has morals, he has values, he believes in something, he stands on something. He’s not pandering. He’s a man who can recognize his mistakes and not be afraid to share the mistakes and can dig deep down into fear-based ideologies or experiences to be able to express them without feeling like he’s less of a man.”
I know that this response was met with mixed feelings, but I believe that Kendrick was being honest. Throughout his career & the entire rap beef with Drake, Kendrick continuously emphasizes that no matter how big he gets or how deep he is into the rap game, he will always have feet on the ground and his family to serve as north star, because no matter what, he is what he (and I) believe to be a real Black man in America. I think that that reigns true throughout the rest of this issue.
Featuring stories on #WinWithBlackWomen, Derek C. Blasberg in conversation with Cleo Wade & Nicole Richie, a spread on Boho-Chic and a brief feature on Judy Chicago. Editor-In-Chief Samira Nasr has done an impressive job not only bringing voices together this election season, but also working with photographers to capture imagery that feels mighty but humble.
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry.
I encourage you to check out what magazines are available at your local newsstands, book and grocery stores.
And if you are interested in virtual magazine spaces to stay up to date with what’s currently on stands, I would recommend the following Instagram pages:
I hope this list implores you to explore and expand.
Thank you!