Independent publications
I love magazines. I love the way they always hit the spot and deliver no end of visual and written delights. I love how no matter what you’re into there’s a magazine for it and - more recently - an independent magazine.
Independents are great because they are different and totally focused on their niche. They don’t have to bow to the obligatory requirements of a larger conglomerate; or pretend to be appealing for anyone other than their desired audience.
They are original, interesting and deserve the research required to find them and the price each magazine costs.
Here are my recommendations for purely decadent perusals.
Heiter
Not only is Katharina (editor in chief and founder) utterly wonderful and inspiring, as you’ll find out if you listen to the episode I did with her on my podcast; but Heiter itself is a brand that is a breath of fresh air in an overly competitive and disconnected world.
Actively bringing together women from around Europe who want to connect and create and build meaningful relationships, Heiter offers a magazine, an e-magazine and in-person events as well as the Heiter Society. Whether you’re a small business or just wanting to connect with other women on the continent, this is the perfect soft space to start building those meaningful relationships.
Focused on slow living across fashion, lifestyle and career - this is the brand to invest in if you’re looking for a strong community with meaning and soul.
Discover more about the little joys of each day on the website.
SLOW Journal
A similar vibe to Heiter Magazine and another passion project by another lovely individual who believes in quiet rebellions against consumerism and unrealistic digital expectations. Jane built SLOW Journal to reflect her love for a sustainable, ethical and slow living ethos. She champions independent businesses with a similar kind mindset and works with them to curate each issue of SLOW Journal which is part lifestyle magazine and part independent business directory.
Well worth purchasing if you are looking for a chill, high quality indie magazine focusing on lifestyle and brands - especially if you’re in Australia where this publication is based.
If you want to find out more of join the directory then check out the website.
Slightly Foxed
Sophisticated, timeless and delectable - Slightly Foxed is the magazine equivalent of a warm country kitchen enjoyed in the group of interesting friends who love books and aren’t afraid to have opinions about them.
This is a quarterly magazine perfect for bibliophiles and anyone who prefers reading reviews and commentator pieces to flicking through masses of pictures.
This is a high quality publication, totally independent also with their own publishing house through which they publish their own editions of books. I think Slightly Foxed is wonderfully decadent and the issues are A5 sized and slim so perfect for putting in a bag or taking out on the train.
Discover more about the magazine for booklovers on their website.
A Rabbit’s Foot
I love this publication. It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s full of gossip and high quality stills and it’s all about cinema. Because really, is there anything more glamorous than cinema?!
Founded by Charles Finch, each issue covers a different country’s cinema history. It goes into all aspects of cinema and movie making from the stars who give it pizzazz to the technicians who work in insane conditions to capture the perfect shot, the stunt doubles who fearlessly do the most terrifying stunts and the composers who give each scene such meaning.
Anyway, get yourself a copy. You won’t regret it.
Join the Rabbit’s Foot Club and enjoy some glamour on their website.
PIER Journal
Purely for those of us who are Dorset-based, PIER Journal is a free, fun, cool and independent volunteer-led publication championing everything creative and indie across Dorset.
There’s something special about this publication and anyone involved in it (like myself, I help with distribution) knows that something like this is rare to find and deserves as much community support as possible because it makes the community better.
Buy a copy if you’re not local or if you are then pop into a local indie shop and inquire about a copy. Find out more on their website.