Wear Prada and Read for Pleasure, Too
Enjoy swimming with the sharks? Then your head’s probably been swimming with dreams of a job in the lean, mean world of publishing. But, seriously, life in the magazine biz isn’t always as bad as this year’s hit film The Devil Wears Prada makes it out to be. If you didn’t catch the Golden Globe-nominated flick in theaters, then you can now experience the fantastic fashion and brilliant performances of Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt (nominated for Best Supporting Actress), and the Oscar-winning Meryl Streep (Best Actress, of course) on the recently released DVD. Sure, the movie highlights some of the industry's not-so-flattering sides, but it's also a fairly realistic portrait of the hard work and sacrifices required to make it to the top in a challenging business that gives the world the ultimate gift of reading for pleasure. Now, you’ve done the holiday parties, made your resolutions, and are ready to take 2007 by storm. But in order to take the world by storm, you need to keep up with what’s going on in art, music, fashion, film, literature, and life in general. This is where the magazine biz isn’t so nasty...just popping by the newsstand and adding a few new magazines to your nightstand can really be more empowering than you think. So we’ve taken a look at what’s out there and picked a handful of hot ones that we know you’ll enjoy. Without further ado, we present the ones to watch--and read--for 2007:METRO.POP Billed as "the fashion magazine for the rest of us," the bimonthly Metro.Pop delivers and then some. From head to toe to must-have accessories, each issue is built around a theme that merges high fashion with ready-to-wear in imaginatively innovative photo spreads. Metro.Pop also features interviews with some of Southern California's--and the world's--most trendsetting designers, visual artists, and ideas.
FOAM Be it sand, snow, or style, FOAM (Fashion Ocean Art Music) hangs ten on the waves of surfer culture and brings its female readers along for the bimonthly ride. Equal parts entertainment (in-depth interviews with artists, athletes, and environmentalists) and earth mother (tips on sunscreen, eco-friendly makeup, and healthy eating), the magazine's mellow vibe makes for fun and informative reading. Now that's eco-tainment!READYMADE If ever there were a D.I.Y. magazine for the hipster on the go, it would be ReadyMade. Looking for creative ways to spruce up your living space and/or life without having it look like something out of the 99-cent store? Then look no further. The environmentally friendly (printed on recycled paper) bimonthly magazine offers how-tos on everything from handkerchiefs to day beds and everything in between. You don't have to be an arts-and-crafts aficionado or a Home Depot junkie to love ReadyMade; you just have to be ready to make a change.VENUS ZINE More than a quarterly music magazine for women by women, VenusZine features the cutting-edge sonic, visual, and literary artists who are pushing the alternative envelope and helping define our culture. In addition to its thought-provoking interviews, VenusZine is loaded with insightful articles, fierce fashion, and a generous helping of cool D.I.Y. projects. Smart without being preachy, sassy without being stupid, and quirky without being obscure. Viva Venus!BLENDER With so much new music, so many new bands, and barely enough time to keep up with it all, Blender magazine offers to cure the overwhelmed-by-it-all blues. Music lovers looking for a heady and irreverent guide to who's who and what's what on the pop/indie scene will find all they need in Blender's monthly mix of artist profiles, new disc reviews, and best and worst lists.