26 January 2009

Goodbye My Alef - You shall be missed.

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.



Back into action. A new design for a new me

Now that I'm finally getting my life in order it seemed a perfect time to re-adjust my blog design. And though it may be not such a big deal for others it is a mega deal for me as I felt I needed a new clean white template to symbolize my a new clean slate of my life. After Christmas break I have to admit it was harder for me to adjust back into London life. This is super bewildering because for the first time in five years I was very homesick. But after a few adventures and lounge explorings I think I am back into my old self. I have many many updates for my loyal readers.

In the past week I have been:
1. Writing for Borderline magazine and in the process had to spend a night with Katja from Glam Canyon as she hosted her event at 145 Shoreditch High Street (pics and notes to follow)
2. Handed in my feature for the future issue of Boutique 1 Magazine ( have been working on it for over a month)
3. Found out that my favorite magazine Alef is going to cease to exist. RIP my beautiful magazine. I am trying to score an interview with the editorial team to scope out the situation and see maybe just maybe they might reprint for the future
4. Attended Susie Bubble's conversation at London College of Fashion. A talk on internet and fashion that was mega useful

I also am vowing to get back into the swing of things aka blogging more frequently. My life has been a turbulent express train since I have graduated and I think am finally settling into London life.