EDITOR’S LETTER
I’m chalking 2018 up as memorable yet chaotic year. She was filled with high highs and low lows with Trump mania, the #MeToo movement, catastrophic weather events, royal weddings, the Thai football team stuck in a cave and our nation’s leader consecutively running the country and raising a newborn. This has not been a boring trip around the sun. To offer some respite from the year that was I present The Escapism Issue. Whether that means seeking distraction and relief through informative reads and beautiful shoots or literally jumping on a plane and escaping everyday life with a trip away (be it a coffee and craft-beer jaunt around Portland or taking a restorative and restful break in Bali) we’ve got you covered.
As Christmas nears you’ll also have gifts for your loved ones front of mind. To get you in the giving spirit we’ve chosen over 100 of the most coveted items, organising them so you can be guided by the stars, more specifically, astrological signs. So whether you’re buying for a Pisces or a Virgo, or wanting a little add-to-cart moment for yourself, there’s sure to be something that appeals. Turn to page 45 to start the shopping list.
It’s been an incredibly memorable year in fashion, too. The return of Birkenstocks a few years back should have prepared us for the surprising fashion trends that entered our collective conscious, but we were still surprised about the voracity with which bike pants and Crocs multiplied through fashion’s trending layers. And how could we forget some of the more controversial creative leadership changes at top fashion houses (Hedi Slimane, we’re looking at you). It’s nice to know there’s always the unexpected to expect from fashion.
On that note, Fashion Quarterly will get a change of its own in the New Year. I’ve had an incredible tenure as editor of this iconic title, but the time has come to extend my love of fashion in other directions, leaving your magazine in the best of hands with the talented new editor, Zoe Walker Ahwa – a woman I respect greatly, and who brings a wealth of experience in the publishing industry along with her.
Enjoy the issue!