8 posts tagged “magazines”
Someone in the US get me a copy of V60!
Screencap of her shoot...(taken from V's official site)
And she's coming to Manila on the 11th of August.
Sweet.
'Nuff said.
Chica Time
Attended the Preview Ball last Friday with friends Mike, MJ, and Teena and got the chance to say hi to these lovely ladies:
1. My very first cover subject Anne. She was so beautiful. I was like a pin that got bowled over!
2. This month's cover girl, Angel. She was personally molded by God. What a face!
3. My tres chic fashion editor Liz. I negotiated for another cover. Wish with me!
Raket Launch
Oh, and I just got bunny-fied. August!
Over the workweek, I got an SMS from the editor of the magazine I contribute to. She was asking if I could write an article and gave me a deadline of Tuesday this week. Man, it's been more than a year since I saw my byline on anything other than my blog, so I instantly grabbed this opportunity of a lifetime. I was asked to drop by a photographer's studio to conduct an interview with the cover girl. And not just a cover girl, but a cover girl I've always admired from the sidelines. How's that for a reunion with my reading public?! Five points for me!
This was my first time profiling, as my past contributions were more of the reviews kind. I'm sure it's not like they have faith as gigantic as China but they took the risk of getting me to do the job. I worked nights last week and the interview was slated for 1pm, so you could just imagine how short my sleep was. Before I dozed off to wake up at 11am, I even had to read past profiles and research on my subject.
I must admit I was excited but tried my very best not to show it - even to myself. As poinltless as it may seem, I succeeded in eluding myself from the proverbial tummy butterflies and kept a stiff upper lip from the time I woke up to the time I travelled to the location. But upon riding the elevator on the way to the photographer's studio, it's as if those butterflies inside me morphed into pterodactyls and tore my digestive system apart with their abrasive wingspan. This is it! My very first article in years and a cover story at that!
Of course, I referenced the Holy Grail of fashion cinema (The Devil Wears Prada) and thought myself an Andy Sachs, the eager beaver attempting to make a mark in the chaotic world of publishing. I think I'll win an Oscar for my imagination. Fortunately, the editors were neither Annas nor Mirandas; they were simply into 'the work' - proofreading articles in between outfit changes, and letting out artistic epiphanies that made the finished product better than planned. (Side note: Magazine editors eat!) They made time for li'l old me though and initiated small talk and discussed work details like deadlines and expectations. For my part, I shrank into a wallflower in their mammoth presence at the start and only warmed up after a dose of caffeine (Coke Light) and an EASY time talking to my subject.
More details soon!
Every reader-friendly topic has been written about or featured in most Philippine magazines. That possibly explains why a lot of titles revamp their graphics and typography at least twice a year - it masks the sad truth that there is nothing new to write about, or that it was the second time the subject appeared on the cover of that magazine this year.
(Not to say that the semi-annual makeover is wrong. I love the concept of makeovers and am amazed at how the local publishing community has pushed the envelope a dozen times within just a few years in the pursuit of creativity and global-level competitiveness.)
As a loyal reader of Filipino work, however, I know what's new, what's tired, and what's crap.
I scanned the last five copies of a few magazines I frequently purchase and observed how many times the phrase 'with a twist' was used as appendage.
"Home-cooked Filipino cuisine with a twist"
"Modern with a twist"
"Romantic with a twist"
"Asian (interiors) with a twist"
"Boho chic with a twist"
I say enough of twists! Couldn't we find an exact adjective to tell how food tastes or how hemlines flow? Could we just use some other phrase in the absence of an accurate descriptor? (Ex. 'hers is a gargantuan sense of style that is tempered by Calvin Klein's design philosophy' sounds more exact than 'eclectic with a twist') And enough of 'modern.' There is a 'modern' 'anything' that I don't even know what modern means anymore. Don't even get me started on 'postmodern.' Give those words a vacation!
Better yet, stop becoming 'reader-friendly' and acquaint us with something unexpected instead.
Reijiro mentioned a few days ago that the magazine industry here in the Philippines thrives on giving cover subjects makeovers to attract readers. (Hey Reij, do you remember saying that? I do.) Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Here's an example from Preview Magazine.
You see, Filipinos know this girl as a comedienne (?) who barely leaves anything to imagination. Seeing her in 'couture' will make the shopper curious and want to see more of the subject. Then they buy the magazine. Good job, Preview, for making her beautiful and giving her zee upgrade.
Call this trend a good thing or a bad thing; it works.
Btw, this is how the subject is typically clothed:
I'll take picture number one anytime!
