125 Magazine
Encyclopedia
125 is a London based, internationally available showcase for new work and ideas by photographers, illustrators and artists around the world. Originally marketed as a 'gallery-space-in-print' and something of a vanity project, 125 has gradually become a highly collectible example of what the industry calls luxury publishing with a loyal following around the world.
platform for new work by both established and emerging talent existed. The first issue (themed Fashion) was released exclusively in the UK and received critical industry acclaim and a nomination in the Magazine Design Awards but was not a commercial success. In the following years the magazine has undergone a number of design and content changes and is now a 300 page, 2 kg 'gallery' of new work and ideas by photographers, stylists and illustrators around the world.
and St. Lukes advertising agency.
,Sean Ellis, Don McCullin
Rankin (photographer)
, Magnum Photos
and many others .The magazine has always sought to provide an unbiased opportunity for creative talent operating a submission process unlike traditional magazines - simply announcing a theme and deadline, with content for the magazine chosen from a postbag by the founding partners.
This process has not been without its flaws with problems arising out of the sheer number of fashion photographers and stylists submitting to each issue and unofficially "calling in" product from fashion houses and PR companies with no guarantee of publication. In more recent issues it appears that the contribution format of the magazine has changed with more and more high profile names commissioned to shoot, Rankin
, Richard Kern, Perou
, Christopher Griffith, Alice Hawkins, Mick Rock, Shinichi Maruyama, Ernst Fischer, Tim Simmons and more.
, and particularly Rankin (photographer)
's Rank Magazine which was a short-lived independent showcase as proof that such a magazine was a viable proposition.
Back in 2003 the magazine world was a far less saturated industry with very few independently published titles, Tank, Exit and Big Magazine being the closest rivals to 125. In the intervening years the number of independent magazines produced in the UK has increased exponentially due, in large part to the boom in fashion advertising revenues, the marketing power of UK based distributor Comag Specialist and the growth of the Borders Group
whose very relaxed attitude towards the sale of independent magazines (as opposed to the restrictive financial terms and conditions imposed by WH Smith) allowed the industry to flourish.
Background
125 Magazine’s founding partners and the core editorial team are photographers Perry Curties & Jason Joyce, and art directors Rob Crane & Martin Yates who took the decision to start 125 early in 2003 after the realization that no genuinely unbiasedplatform for new work by both established and emerging talent existed. The first issue (themed Fashion) was released exclusively in the UK and received critical industry acclaim and a nomination in the Magazine Design Awards but was not a commercial success. In the following years the magazine has undergone a number of design and content changes and is now a 300 page, 2 kg 'gallery' of new work and ideas by photographers, stylists and illustrators around the world.
Print Sales
125's most unique feature is its print-sales service which makes all the photography in the magazine available as limited edition art prints through its website. Inclusion in the service is not compulsory but all contributors are offered the chance to participate, with income divided equally between photographer and 125. According to the 125 website they have sold in excess of 8000 prints online and through exhibitions with various companies and galleries including Paul Smith (fashion designer)Paul Smith (fashion designer)
Sir Paul Smith jr, RDI, is an English fashion designer, whose business and reputation is founded upon his menswear. He is both commercially successful and highly respected within the fashion industry....
and St. Lukes advertising agency.
Contributors
Each issue has a theme and contains the work of 20-25 contributors as well as interviews with leading creative talents such as Nick Knight, Glen LuchfordGlen Luchford
Glen Luchford is a British fashion photographer and film director.Luchford first signed with the New York Agency, Art and Commerce, at the age of 24. In 1997, he signed exclusively to Prada, and has since shot advertising campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Levi's, Mercedes-Benz and Calvin Klein...
,Sean Ellis, Don McCullin
Don McCullin
Donald McCullin, FRPS CBE is an internationally known British photojournalist, particularly recognized for his war photography and images of urban strife...
Rankin (photographer)
Rankin (photographer)
John Rankin Waddell, working name Rankin, born 1966, is a British portrait and fashion photographer.-Life and career:Waddell was brought up in St Albans, Hertfordshire. At the age of 21, whilst studying accounting at Brighton Polytechnic, he realized that his interests lay elsewhere and dropped...
, Magnum Photos
Magnum Photos
Magnum Photos is an international photographic cooperative owned by its photographer-members, with offices located in New York, Paris, London and Tokyo...
and many others .The magazine has always sought to provide an unbiased opportunity for creative talent operating a submission process unlike traditional magazines - simply announcing a theme and deadline, with content for the magazine chosen from a postbag by the founding partners.
This process has not been without its flaws with problems arising out of the sheer number of fashion photographers and stylists submitting to each issue and unofficially "calling in" product from fashion houses and PR companies with no guarantee of publication. In more recent issues it appears that the contribution format of the magazine has changed with more and more high profile names commissioned to shoot, Rankin
Rankin
-Places:*In Australia:**Division of Rankin, an electoral district in the Australian Federal House of Representatives, in Queensland*In Canada:**Rankin Inlet, Nunavut**Rankin Inlet Airport, Nunavut**Rankin River, Ontario...
, Richard Kern, Perou
Perou
thumb|perou by frances|rightRalph John Perou , known professionally as Perou, is a British fashion, portrait and music photographer who has also appeared as a judge on Make Me a Supermodel UK and on season 2 of Bravo TV's American Make Me a Supermodel...
, Christopher Griffith, Alice Hawkins, Mick Rock, Shinichi Maruyama, Ernst Fischer, Tim Simmons and more.
Influences and Competitors
125's founders have cited I-DI-D
i-D is a British magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art and youth culture. i-D was founded by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. The first issue was published in the form of a hand-stapled fanzine with text produced on a typewriter...
, and particularly Rankin (photographer)
Rankin (photographer)
John Rankin Waddell, working name Rankin, born 1966, is a British portrait and fashion photographer.-Life and career:Waddell was brought up in St Albans, Hertfordshire. At the age of 21, whilst studying accounting at Brighton Polytechnic, he realized that his interests lay elsewhere and dropped...
's Rank Magazine which was a short-lived independent showcase as proof that such a magazine was a viable proposition.
Back in 2003 the magazine world was a far less saturated industry with very few independently published titles, Tank, Exit and Big Magazine being the closest rivals to 125. In the intervening years the number of independent magazines produced in the UK has increased exponentially due, in large part to the boom in fashion advertising revenues, the marketing power of UK based distributor Comag Specialist and the growth of the Borders Group
Borders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
whose very relaxed attitude towards the sale of independent magazines (as opposed to the restrictive financial terms and conditions imposed by WH Smith) allowed the industry to flourish.