simplepretty

december 2014 cover

Much as I’d like to think otherwise, my magazine addiction is still running strong. However, as a perfectionist, the more I spend, the more I expect from a title. (And magazine prices seem to be heading up.) Scrolling through the internet, I was immediately drawn to Fudge magazine‘s December cover (above), despite the fact that the choice of cover model screams “teen mag”. Intrigued, but a bit skeptical, I plunked down my £12 at the local Japanese bookstore and dug in. What a pleasant surprise it was: apparently, teens and 20-somethings* in Japan are obsessed with the same things I am: minimalist, comfy fashion paired with utilitarian luxe® handbags and natural, almost-no-makeup-makeup. (Japanese culture seems to specialize in my predilection for perfectionism and minimalism.) What makes Fudge work? First off, the layout/design is divine: it’s photo-driven, which makes the fact that I can’t read Japanese less of an issue. Also, Fudge featured many of the same designers I look to for design inspiration (including Jil Sander and Margaret Howell), and added a few new Japanese shops to my online fashion research base. That’s the nice thing about being a fashion minimalist: with a few styling/accessory tweaks, the clothing choices tend to work across a wide range of ages.

I think I’m hooked: Fudge, you have a new fan.

handbags feature

coats editorial

gift ideas

all photos by jane potrykus

*fudge’s tag line is “new type fashion magazine for girls”, but magazine cafe store pegs the typical reader as a 23-27 year-old.