Listography: Magazine Love

Here at Assemblage, we both have quite unhealthy addictions to magazines. For me, it began with the discovery of Lula magazine (with issue 5, to be precise), and has now evolved into a fully fledged obsession with impeccably designed publications. Read on for my round-up of the best independent, alternative magazines around.

1. Kinfolk

The Grandaddy of the alternative magazine circuit, Kinfolk has matured into an extensive lifestyle brand (Ouur), that covers apparel, events, books and lifestyle products alongside the original cult magazine. I've heard tantalising rumours that an accompanying magazine is currently in the works. Each issue is based around a loose theme, with recent issues including the Imperfect issue, the Saltwater issue and the Home issue. With a clean and minimal layout and the perfect balance of content (50:50 well-written articles and awe-inspiring photographs), it's no wonder that it is at the top of its game.

2. Cereal

Akin to Kinfolk, Cereal has a simplistic aesthetic that translates from the pages of their print publications to their Guided by Cereal travel guides (hosted online and on Instagram). Each issue is split into three main chapters that focus on three places in the world. These destinations are then explored throughout a series of photo essays and unusual articles. Case in point: issue 7's focus on New York includes a celebration of the Lincoln Centre, a collection of photographs of the best places to brunch and a magnificant view into innovative concept store, The Apartment by the Line.

3. Ernest

 

I discovered the first issue of this little gem whilst searching for a pint sized magazine to pop in my suitcase that would keep both myself and my boyfriend entertained as we travelled from Hungary to Croatia. I'm now eagerly awaiting the arrival of issue two. The publication divides itself into neat little sub-sections that cover pretty much everything I am interested in: Inventory (self descibed as "a smorgasbord of well-spun yarns, curious artefacts, inventions and cool things to collect"), Curious Histories (as diverse as a profile on the prolific scientist Nikola Tesla and ancient myths detailing sea monsters), Spaces (both indoor and outdoor), Workmanship (think, forgotten skills), Adventures (issue one details an epic trek of Iceland), Timeless Style and Wild Food. If you love to explore and spend time outdoors and have a curious disposition; this one is for you.


4. Cherry Bombe

This biannual magazine primarily focuses on women and food. You might think that's quite niche and not really your thing - but, trust me! It's full to the brim with beautiful photographs and interesting features, celebrating the entire process of the food that we eat. Even if you're a nightmare in the kitchen, like me, you'll find it hard not to fall in love with the relatable articles and the interesting women that they interview. You might even be inspired to put on a pinny and get to grips with a bag of cookie mix.

5. In Clover

There's currently only one issue released of this new magazine, but it's already up there on my favourites list. Refreshingly, In Clover is print only, with a minimal online presence restricted to a blog and Instagram feed. Created by Bryony Hipken as a final year university project, for those who still love print, In Clover was carried out of the classroom and onto the carefully selected shelves of magazine retailers across the country with the help of two friends who now function as Art Director and Creative Director. Expect a love of the great outdoors, foraging, cooking, exploring, dining, photographing and travelling.

6. Oak The Nordic Journal

Again, just a fledgling publication (issue 2 has recently been released), Oak is possibly best described as the Scandinavian version of Kinfolk. Hailing from Copenhagen and focusing on all things scantilisingly Nordic, Oak covers topics as diverse as The Royal Danish Ballet, an informal interview with Rene Redzepi, an account of a journey to the very edges of Norway and an essay on the beautiful, alluring yet elusive Nordic light. All of the articles are extremely well informed and accompanied with typically beautiful photographs. It will also make you wish you were Scandinavian.

7. The Plant Journal

Gardening is seeing an upheaval at the moment. It is currently hip to fill your apartment with plants (cacti, succulents and yukkas if you're really trying hard) and to grow your own vegetables and herbs in your garden/window box. Enter, The Plant Journal: part gardeners-guide, part informative articles detailing how gardens grow and part beautifully shot photographs of the natural world.


8. Yen

 

Heralded as the thinking girl's lifestyle magazine, Yen takes all of the elements that you'd expect to find in standard women's monthly glossies and adds attitude. Expect profiles on celebrities who are actually interesting (Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinsson grace the covers of the two issues I own), articles on music, films and books that actually make you think and features on local Australian talent - alongside all of your fashion, beauty and travel needs.

9. Another Escape

It seems like all good things are coming out of Bristol these days. Another Escape is based in this creative hub, but takes it's content beyond the UK and sells us daydreams of far-flung places and creative individuals. Expect articles detailing the lives of bamboo bicycle builders and Korean papermakers.

10. Tiny Atlas Quarterly

 Another first issue to add to my collection, Tiny Atlas has been around for some time online and have recently published their first printed annual. Split into four sections named after the four seasons, a series of photo essays based around travel are accompanied  by tips on where to stay, where to eat and where to shop. It's easy to get swept away and start making a list of all the places that you'd love to visit. 

(Disclaimer: the following are magazines that I have not yet read, but that I would love to get my hands on)

Love/Want

Wilder

Gather Journal

Golly

Nourished Journal

-Emma

Listography: Location Location Location

 Nate Zoller for Herschel Supply

I love to travel. As cliched as that sounds, nothing pleases me more than the anticipation of visiting a new place. I settle down with a newly purchased guide book, recommendations from friends and my trusty pal, the internet and make a loosely structured plan of what I want to see. 

There's a messily edited page in my notebook that lists the places for which my heart yearns. Some of these are constants; places that have been on my wish-list for years. Others are recent additions. Here are my top six.

 Hello America

1. America.

I'll begin with the one that's been on my list for decades. I've always wanted to visit America. When I was a child, I was jealous of school friend's trips to Florida. My teenage years found me craving the Big Apple. Now the list goes something like this: Oregon, Washington, California, Louisiana, New York State and Texas (for starters). 

The ultimate trip would be cruising along the highways in an RV; parking up whereever took our liking and eating under the stars. I want to run down gigantic white sand dunes, hang out in Portland, hike through dense forests, swim in Lake Tahoe, admire the view at Big Sur, go whale watching, walk around Haight Ashbury and drive down endless roads.

Guided by Cereal

2. Bristol/Bath
There are so many corners of the UK that I have yet to visit. Of all of those places, the South-West has been calling my name, Bristol and Bath in particular. 

Both cities seem to have a lot going for them both aesthetically and culturally. There's inspirational street art (See no Evil), feats of engineering (the Clifton suspension bridge), spas fed by natural hot springs, beautiful local countryside (not to mention the proximity of Stonehenge) and impeccably curated independent shops (Found). And only a train ride away!

Unknown, via Pinterest

3. Iceland
Everyone I know who has visited this lonely isle (Abigail included) has raved about it's otherworldlyness. There's nowhere else quite like it on earth. One of the reasons that Iceland appeals to me so is the diversity of the landscape and of the potential activities. One day you could be lazing in the blue lagoon, the next exploring the shops, bars and galleries of Reykjavik, followed by chasing waterfalls, hiking across glaciers and volcanic sand, whale watching in stormy seas and gazing down at the place where two tectonic plates collide.

Colourful toy towns, the northern lights, some of the most striking scenery on the planet and a thriving creative community beckon.

Unknown, via Pinterest

4. Provence

This one has been partially covered, as I spent two very brief days in the region en route to Barcelona earlier this summer. These fourty-eight hours of early morning markets, fresh water lakes, picturesque villages and jaw-dropping views have only stirred up an existing wanderlust for this southern French region.

I would love to visit in the height of lavender season; driving through the countryside from town to town, basking in a sea of purple fields. 

Unknown, via Pinterest

5. Scandinavia

The only issue that I would have planning a Scandinavian retreat would be choosing whether to visit Norway, Finland, Sweden or Denmark. All four countries have a deep allure, based around a fusion of dramatic landscapes and that distinctive Scandinavian design aesthetic that creeps its way into everything from interior design to fashion and art.

Proximity to water always appeals to me when planning trips; fjords and archipelagos beckon strongly. 

She Loves Mixtapes

6. Edinburgh

Back to the UK and up north to a Scottish city that I'm sure would steal my heart. Edinburgh seems to have it all: thriving nightlife, independent shops, interesting architecture, proximity to the sea and a mountainous surrounding.

August would be too obvious a time to visit, the city bustling with the festival crowd. Instead, I would love to trawl the cities streets and admire the views in Autumn, amongst a sea of sunburst hues.

-Emma