It pains me to know that Alef magazine, my favorite publication will ease to create more exquisite designs of their glossy magazine. For as long as I discovered the first issue a few years back I fell completely in love with Alef, their mission statement, the design of the magazine, and the editorial and content. There are not many professional, creative, unique fashion magazines created for the Middle East which is why Alef is so special to me. Alef to me marks a change, an act of progress in the Middle East and with each issue the magazine has been getting better and edgier and closer to their target and aims. Their content is a collect of Middle East tidbits. Designers, artists, events, boutique openings and news of a pack of creatives are documented and presented in a clean and busy manner, much like a bazaar. But what Alef really does to me is introduce me to my own culture and makes me very proud to be Arab. I can relate to the stories, to the fonts, to the title, and the writers. I can relate to the news and to the familiar faces in the pages. The pages are so thick and glossy I wait patiently to get home in my jams and make me a cup of tea before I start scouring each page one by one. Alef magazine have a written a short apology and excuse on their web page claiming they have some issues with the publishers in the Middle East and they will stop making the magazine for now. I am not satisfied with that answer and am pestering the staff for an interview to talk about the legacy that Alef is leaving behind if they ease to end printing and making my beloved Alef. Since Alef's quarters are based off Ladbroke Grove where I have been visiting frequently due to my work with Boutique 1 magazine I am hoping also to pop by if I nail the interview to snag me the last copy of Alef. Seeing as I hardly can find it in the UK I see it as some sort of loyal fee. Anyways all shall come together shortly.
FASHION, LUXURY & LIFESTYLE- Alef's Mission Statement
Just as Alef translates into the letter A in Arabic, Alef represents the first magazine of its kind in the Middle East. A fashion, lifestyle and luxury title, it aims to inform, inspire and entertain readers through a commitment to the highest levels of content and design . Alef’s editorial mission is to bring together emerging and established artists in an exploration of fashion, luxury and lifestyle; to showcase the cultural contributions of the region ;and to create an aesthetic that challenges both Western and Middle Eastern presumptions . Although developed with the support of Vila Moda, one of the Middle East ’s most eminent retail emporiums , Alef is not a “magalogue”—it is a completely independent title that will feature editorial coverage and advertising from the world’s most prestigious luxury brands .We are united by a passionate belief in Alef’s tremendous potential as a vehicle for cultural innovation .We hope that you will join us.
1 comment:
Hey! Came across your blog while searching for fashion blogs. Keep up the cool postings.
As for your longing for Alef magazine. Well, there is a new magazine that is going to launch in September from Abu Dhabi, that is supposed to rival Alef (had it still existed). I went to a focus group, and it sounds fabulous--except for its name: UNFAIR. Yes, can you believe that? A magazine for Arab women on arts, fashion and culture with that name. To be honest, they didnt have a compelling reason for such a name, except it being provocative, and eye catching.
Check out more on facebook if you're interested. There's already a facebook page for the magazine.
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