Magazine Madness: NYLON and Charli XCX Break the Rules

NYLON January 2015

After 15-year history, Nylon had changed its Editor-in-Chief a.k.a. Founder Marvin Scott Jarrett and Publisher/Marvin’s wife, Jacclyn Jarrett in June 2014. In May 2014, news leaked that its parent company, in conjunction with style blogger network FashionIndie, had been acquired by an anonymous media company helmed by former Wenner Media publisher Dana Fields (now as Executive Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer/Publisher of Nylon) and Election.com founder Joseph Mohen. While the rumour is flying in town, Michelle Lee, the new Editor-in-Chief takes the position of Nylon in summer 2014.  

Having been collecting Nylon magazine for over one decade, (I used to collect Nylon Japan as well, since its contents tend to be more J-pop fashion, I gave up hoarding in 2008) I am both worried and excited that what’s the new face and vibe that Nylon would perform.

I love ‘Boom Clap’ this hit but never imagine I purchase Charlie XCX cover due to her cool and a-bit-Shibuya style at Nylon January 2015. In Marvin Scott Jarrett era, his choices of cover girls are sometimes too Teen Vogue (such as Demi Lovato or Hailee Steinfeld), for whom I would never admire (either their looks or talents), and the photography are usually at white background, more or less over-exposure. On January 2015 issue, the size of magazine and the use of paper still remain the same, by using the layering hue of deep purple as basic background hue of cover page, along with yolk yellow ‘NYLON’ fonts, the caption titles fonts are a combination of Courier New or Conslas, or off white, or dark fuchsia. As for the spine, magazine title ‘NYLON’, date ‘January 2015’, web info ‘www.nylon.com’ (rather than nylonmag.com) and ‘Meow’ at the middle, echoes those Hello Kitty embroidered faces on Charli XCX’s silver jacket.

As the major themes, Nylon focuses yet on beauty, fashion and music, plus the long-term columns ‘Factory Girl’ (reported by Style Director Dani Stahl) and ‘Bag Check’. For beauty looks, in January issue I adore Photographer Meredith Jenks and Stylist Tamar Levine ‘Most Wanted’ (pp. 76-83). The duo adapt the crime photo tradition (upfront and silhouette cues) and create highly neon-colourful and sassy bad ass girly looks, no doubt a great reference for party inspiration. 

As for Fashion and music, Charli XCX interviewed by Melissa Giannini is my must-read article. Photographed by Zoey Grossman and styled by Daniela Jung for high street mixed with Moschino trends on Charli XCX are fresh and fun. Unfortunately the interview contents are expectedly filled with first-person perspective description, it would be more authentic and valuable from Charli XCX’s own genuine words. Furthermore, I find fashion campaign pages ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’ (pp. 104-113) by Photographer Kristin Vicari and Styled by Siobhan Lyons a romantic dim lights.

Nylon also deals in a smart way with its sponsor, less pushy but highly artistic. For example, Nylon x Reebok mini mag in January 2015 issue is a brilliant marketing idea. Dear Nylon, I am very happy that you are still at your alternative taste and voice, in a truly looking forward vibe.

For more info about Nylon’s new Editor-in-Chief, please go to:

http://fashionista.com/2014/09/nylon-michelle-lee

For more art works from Photographer Meredith Jenks and Kristin Vicari:

http://www.kristinvicari.com/index.php

http://www.meredithjenks.com

Beauty Boom! Chanel Le Vernis Sweet Lilac #615

New year new nail! Chanel Le Vernis Sweet Lilac #615 is a cool-toned, light-medium pink with a creamy finish. Comparing to pinky Chanel May #535, the hue of Sweet Lilac #615 tends a pure white paints mixed with deep purple. There's a hint of violet shimmer in the formula but it is almost invisible on the nails but only available being seen through under the yellow light bulb of the bottle. It was mostly opaque after two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin and flowed well across the nails.

It is my first lilac coloured polish since I have been spotted this exact one for quite a while, just to wait for the further discount. Chanel nail polish bottle is no doubt a work of art, the deficiency is that the text on the bottle front is merely a sticker rather than Toppan printing fonts as the backside. Still, the brush of polish is smooth and easy to layer up. Sweet Lilac was released in summer 2014 Reflets d’Été de CHANEL, and the concept of this shimmering collection is as following:

"It’s a season of colour creativity. The shades of summer add a playful stroke to your beauty ritual, with vibrantly versatile options from Glossimer and Le Vernis Nail Colour. Coordinate shades of gloss and polish to accentuate a bronzed-skin look, or contrast lips, tips and lashes with a bright, shimmery eye for a sweet colour clash.”

My Eastern-north Asians skin tone is never bronzed look, but Sweet Lilac #615 is representing the sunny weather, which is a good reminder during Finnish dark wintertime.