Worn

WORN is a fashion magazine unlike the others. Based in Toronto, Canada it comes out twice a year, and discusses fashion, art, photography and different cultures. In their own words:

Since we do not report on trends or promote the newest items on the market, our content is as interesting and relevant today as it will be five years down the road. Although we love and support Toronto fashion, we include content from all over Canada and the rest of the world. WORN hasn’t missed the fact that there are scads of fashion magazines out there. But we feel something is missing: opinion and intelligent commentary that’s untainted by advertisers’ demands. [...]We strive to embody a place between pop culture magazine and academic journal that opens new avenues in art and fashion theory by hovering where these two ideas intersect, connecting with fashion scholars and artists. We pay attention to how what is worn is made, interpreted, transformed, disseminated, and copied.

I think their mission statement is very interesting and refreshing, away from fashion stereotypes and closer to personal style.

* To show a wide range of beauty, one that includes diversity of culture, subculture, gender identification, sexuality, size, race, and age.

* To offer provocative thought on fashion and aesthetics in an accessible way.

* To refrain from polarizing fashion into concepts of “in” and “out,” or “good” and “bad”.

* To differentiate between personal style and the fashion industry, and recognize that the two don’t necessarily have to align.

* To answer, always and above all, to our readers and not our advertisers.

* To celebrate the universal appeal of fashion, outside of time and trend.

* To have a sense of humor, but not at anyone’s expense (with the notable exception of our own).

I ordered a copy online a few weeks ago, and I highly recommend it. Interesting content, beautiful pictures and layout, all in all a great addition to your collection. And if you don't believe me, maybe you will believe Miss Suzie Bubble:

“I was enamoured with the personal tales, well researched articles and opinion pieces on a variety of subjects that with some historic or technical string are related to fashion, but are definitely unexpected, and in some cases unexplored.”

You can order a past copy online or wait for their latest issue coming out April 10. Here's just a small selection of articles found in previous issues:

Taking self portraits (issue #7)
Starting a fashion museum (issue #9)
One man and his 300 pairs of women's shoes (issue #8)
Wedding dresses and other emotional baggage (issue #6)
The realities of working in a New York auction house (issue #4)

Pretty interesting, no? I'd love to hear from you if you're a WORN fan!

images and text in italics courtesy of www.wornjournal.com