Fashion Magazines (Independent Zines)

Introduction

I initially worried about creating a fashion magazine because I don’t have a huge wardrobe or money to buy new clothes. But after thinking about it, I realised that fashion magazines don’t have to be about expensive designer clothes or everything new. They can be about personal style, thrift, DIY, and creativity.

I looked at how independent fashion zines approach styling. Many use:

- Lookbook features with just a few outfits, styled in creative ways.

- “What I wore” diary entries with photos of everyday outfits.

- Thrift hauls and DIY customisation tutorials.

- Styling challenges. like for example “One jacket, three ways.”

Independent Fashion Zines that I'm inspired by:

The Sanxtuary

What they stand for

"The exploitation, creative theft, exclusion and cultural appropriation seen from other fashion publications can be prevented by one thing only: A 100% BIPOC and LGBTQ+ run publication, created with the purpose of celebrating fashion and beauty and elevating marginalized creatives."

(Sourced from their website.)

The Sanxtuary saw a gap in the fashion world and created a safe space. They created their own magazine because they saw that the industry was stacked against them while exploiting and stealing their culture and influences. The Sanxtuary is a magazine that delivers original fashion and beauty content unapologetically. It's a diverse community which inspires me to find my own style and niche.

Frutas

What is the magazine Frutas?

"A spin off of the iconic magazine, FRUiTS, documenting street style in Japan. But now we found ourselves in Los Angeles. A definite homage but with the backdrop of LA and its own  distinct vision."

(Sourced from their website.)

Frutas is an indie magazine inspired by the popular magazine FRUiTS. It was made to similarly show off the subcultures seen in Los Angeles. The focus is mainly on Latinos and Chicanos. It earned popularity because of Latinos and Angelenos love for Japanese and alt cultures. The project was made bigger and more complex to document and celebrate the beauty of being Latino in America. They want to make their contributions to music, art, fashion, and culture visible to people.

Dekopon!

About Dekopon

"dekopon is the name of a cultivar of orange that is like a large tangerine -- easy to peel, easy to share, and easy to love. 

oranges have long been a symbol of quiet love and friendship... by channeling all that is fun, fruity, and fresh, we hope to find meaningful ways to connect with one another.

through this publication, we are exploring art and fashion through the lens of love and craftsmanship with a strong focus on versatility and longevity. we want to foster a loving relationship between person and garment while contending with our nostalgia for icons of consumerism.

we are an independent publication trying to maintain low costs for our readers. we are also run by creatives of varying backgrounds; many of us are people of color, queer, and disabled. we are committed to maintaining this magazine as a financially accessible and inclusive project as best we can."

(Sourced from their website.)

Dekopon focuses on creating a zine with financial accessibility, inclusivity, and sharing the easy peel of art and fashion. I like the fact that their zines have art and artistic photography along with sometimes including art stickers and pocket fashion zines.

Conclusion

I can easily do these with my own clothes and resources. For example, I can photograph myself in a few outfits that reflect an certain aesthetic. For example, I can use layering and darker colours for alternative aesthetics, or less clothing pieces and styling for clean styles.

Another idea is to include friends. I can ask a few friends to let me photograph their outfits. That adds variety without requiring me to own the clothes.

I can also incorporate the idea of adding art stickers since I'm thinking of making a hybrid magazine.

So even with a limited wardrobe, I can create a fashion magazine that feels authentic and visually interesting. The key is to focus on personal style and creativity rather than consumption.