Turning Pages: Editorial Design for Print Media

Ever wonder how your favourite magazines thought up that interesting format? How they decided upon what fonts to use and which layout worked best on their front cover? Evert thought that they just sort of... slapped it together without too much thought and it just looked pretty by some magical twist of fate or something? Well guess what, that's not true.

'Turning Pages: Editorial Design for Print Media' examines exactly what it takes to create a cutting-edge, successful publication. Split into 9 chapters, ranging from structure and typography to layout and visual language, with an entire chapter dedicated solely to the most important aspect of a magazine - the cover.

Featuring interviews from editorial designers who are at the top of their game as well as work from emerging talents and visual examples and breakdowns of the content of cutting-edge publications such as Volt, Self Service, Manzine and Wallpaper, this book really highlights the significance of excellent design within the publishing industry.

Now, we're already huge print media fans here at Tantrum, but after reading this book, we developed a much clearer introspective of the anatomy of publications and the sheer amount of effort and talent it takes to produce the magazines and newspapers that we take for granted. Oh, and not to mention, the baby pink hardcover looks super-cute on our bookshelf...


'Turning Pages: Editorial Design for Print Media', R. Klanten, S. Ehmann, is published by Gestalten and available here.


Words: Navneet Gill 

Dancing Backward In High Heels? Only for the New York Dolls.

If, like us, you've been feeling like your life has been lacking a soundtrack recently, then salvation is about to come in the form of the New York Dolls' new album, Dancing Backward in High Heels.

This is the Dolls' 5th studio album, featuring original NYD members, David Johansen (vocals) and Sylvain Sylvain (guitar) with Brian Delaney (drums), Jason Hill (bass) and original Blondie guitarist Frank Infante.

DBIHH is best described as modern nostaligia, with a new twist on a classic style. Streetcake, Funky but Chic, and Kids Like You are definite highlights, and new single Fool For You Baby is a great example of what to expect from the album.

Dancing Backward In High Heels proves that when it comes to good music, it's talent that matters most - and that you too can be forever young. What else could we ask for?

(Well, just because we love you, you can read an interview with Sylvain Sylvain here.)

The album comes with a bonus DVD of unseen and live material too. If that's not enough to impress you - and if it's not, seriously, what is wrong with you? - you can also see the NYD live at the O2 Academy Newcastle (27 March), Manchester Club Academy (29 March), and two exclusive nights at The Old Vic Tunnels in London (30/31 March). Tickets are limited, so make sure to get yours as soon as possible!

Dancing Backward In High Heels by the New York Dolls, available from all the usual sources.

Words: Kirsty Gillespie

Huge thanks to Noble PR.

We don't care if Monday's blue.

So it might not exactly be a Monday today but let's be honest, it's not like we need to use that excuse to show you the SS11 collection from Stockholms hippest label - Cheap Monday.

Influenced by Latin denim styles and L.A's celebrity culture, the SS collection keeps that effortlessly cool Scandinavian edge through combining those infamously garish elements with Cheap Monday's trademark minimalist style, which results in, well, we'll just let you take a little peek at some lookbook shots so you can see for yourself...

With these incredibly cool, wearable and more importantly - affordable pieces, Cheap Monday prove that it's not just denim that they do well, and with their corresponding accessories lines (yep, think sunglasses, shoes and even underwear) we're thinking that Cheap Monday are a label we wouldn't mind being spotted in EVERY day of the week.

words: Navneet Gill

images courtesy of Cheap Monday
check out www.cheapmonday.com 

Regal Rose knows the score.

We all love a bit of jewellery, right? And I don't know about you but we love pieces that have a bit of a story and a little bit of an edge. Forget the cutesy little flowers and dainty teapots, we'd rather have miniature skulls, serpents and crosses. Sure, it may be a bit creepy but that's kinda how we roll.

Regal Rose totally get what we're after, with chunky statement rings, featuring skulls, armour and, erm... unicorns as well as bohemian feathery earrings and a cool but macabre ear cuff that resembles a ribcage, they totally have that whole creepy but cute thing nailed. Here are a few of Tantrum's fave pieces.

All of these pieces are available for less that £15 each (they totally look like they should cost waaaay more, don't they?!) so there's no need to feel bad about spending your hard-earned cash! 
And for all you lot out there who love the whole notalgic, quaint little pieces, fear not, Regal Rose have got you guys covered too! 


Freya Silver Raven Skull necklace - £10.99
Armed & Dangerous double hinge cage ring - £11.99
Mai Snake Wrap earring - £14.99


all available from www.regalrose.co.uk

Words: Navneet Gill

Creepin' up the backstairs.

The fashion world is notoriously fast-paced. What's en vogue this week is out of style by the next, and in this insanely short life-cycle of fashion, it's kind of nice to find iconic pieces that you can actually keep wearing for seasons and years to come. The rock 'n' roll scene provides us with just that. 
Think about it. Leather jackets, Doc Martens, studs and distressed denim are pretty much ALWAYS cool, right? And when it comes to rockers' footwear, they don't come much cooler than Brothel Creepers, which just so happen to be the kind of shoes that Underground do best.

In recent years, creepers have gone from becoming underground icons to becoming catwalk favourites - featuring on the runways of Thierry Mugler, Charlie Le Mindu and Ashish. All I can say is Jeepers Creepers! I just can't wait to get my hands on a pair of the black suede Wulfruns!


words: Navneet Gill

images courtesy of Blow and Underground shoes.

Visit Underground's website to see more amazing footwear!

Graphic Design for Fashion

Okay, so we all know graphic design is a massively significant area in the fashion industry, but it wasn't 'til we sat down and read 'Graphic Design for Fashion' by Jess Hay and Simone Pasztorek that we understood just how immense the impact of graphic design really is in the fashion world.

Split up into four chapters, the book explores a few different aspects of fashion in which graphic design is the most influential: Branding, Invitations, Lookbooks and Packaging. It features work from some of the most amazing graphic design studios worldwide which have collaborated with the likes of Paul Smith, Viktor & Rolf, Yohji Yamamoto, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony and ACNE to help create the brands as we know them today. 

Graphic Design for Fashion explores the creative processes that go into designing iconic logos for branding, memorable event invites and eye-catching packaging, and the relationship between the graphic design studio and the designers and brands they work with, all presented in a format that is truly worthy of the inspiring content of the book itself. 

From the minimalistic yet striking layouts to the subtley embossed hardcover, Graphic Design for Fashion is one of those books that inspires you before you even open it. And in our opinion, it's a total must have for every fashion/graphics/book geek.


words: Navneet Gill
image courtesy of Laurence King Publishing

Graphic Design for Fashion by Jay Hess and Simone Pasztorek

Buy it on amazon

Summer Glow for Spring

Here at Tantrum HQ, we've been dealing with winter weather for far too long! If, like us, you're getting a bit tired of dull, pale skin then worry no more; The Body Shop have answered our prayers.

To celebrate LFW, the lovely people at The Body Shop have teamed up with the London College of Fashion to produce a limited edition range of make up that will leave your skin looking bronzed and beautiful in preparation for summer and best of all, it's cruelty free!

With their lush illuminating face base, tired skin will look fresh and glowing. It's perfect as a base for foundation or can be worn alone for a more natural sheen.

And just to spice things up a little, add the tailored cheek tint in hot pink to give those apples some rosy definition.

These celebratory treats are the perfect way to kick off your summer beauty routine, but catch them quick before they're gone!

Illuminating Face Base - £14.00
Tailored Cheek Tint - £10.00

Ashish AW11

Let’s face it, no LFW season is complete until someone brings out the tartan and safety pins in a nod to our glorious nations most instantly recognisable contribution to music and indeed, fashion. Yep, were talking about good ol’ punk, and this AW it was down to Ashish to bring the British sense of rebellion to the runway. 

Set to a soundtrack by MIA, the collection featured typically punk pieces like skinny tartan trousers with zips on the knees and ankles, shredded denim jeans and jackets torn apart and held together with safety pins, Ashish updated the clichéd punk looks by adding his signature sequins to create more of a glam-grunge feel, fitting to the ‘poor little rich girl’ theme. Collaborating with Underground shoes, Ashish showcased his own take on the classic footwear of Britain’s non-conformist youth – Brothel Creepers, which came with tip-ex, allowing the wearer to customise their own in true DIY punk style.

Our favourite pieces from Ashish’s AW11 collection included the cobwebbed-knee tights (inspired by punky elbow tattoos) and the insanely cool moth-eaten holy jumpers, emblazoned with slogans like ‘Teen Idle’ and ‘Holy Crap’ (Ashish, if you’re reading, if you send those over to Tantrum HQ we’ll love you FOR.EVER.)

Ashish has a habit of epitomising cool London style and he definitely did that with this tongue-in-cheek collection. An inspiration for this collection was said to have been ‘girls wearing their boyfriends clothes’ and well, whether they’re our boyfriends clothes or not, we’d LOVE to be wearing Ashish this AW season!

words: Navneet Gill

photos: Nedim Nazerali

Bellow for Sister Crayon

Beautiful melodies, soaring vocals, and songs covering a diverse range of important and touching subjects - yes, Sister Crayon are here.

Debut album Bellow is undoubtedly a triumph. Seeming almost other worldly, the album dives straight under your skin and takes you to the most wonderful places. Ixchel, The Lady Rainbow is upbeat while managing to be utterly haunting, with some of the most intricate piano work we've heard in a long time, while Anti-Psalm carries a pulsing bass and a truly hypnotic chorus.

Latest single I'm Still The Same Person is another instant classic. It has more of a synth vibe too it, seeming to mix etheral vocals with dark undertones as if they were a totally natural combination.

It has been said that "stumbling onto Sister Crayon is like finding a book of apocalyptic poetry in the confessional booth of an old, burned out cathedral" - do yourself a favour and find out just how true that is.

Bellow by Sister Crayon - out now.

(Album, quote and pictures courtesy of Silver PR.)

Falguni & Shane Peacock AW11

Falguni & Shane Peacock's AW catwalk show was held at On/Off's new venue in Covent Garden's Mercer St Studios and though the dreary London rain was putting a downer on our mood, we had no doubt that Falguni and Shane's collection would live up to their exotic last name.

Featuring their signature use of embellishments and animal prints, the Peacock's toughened up their act with panelled bodysuits which gave a nod to AW's impending sci-fi trend. Of course, there was the usual selection of beautifully designed dresses, featuring heavy embroidery and feathers, but by adding accessories like dangerously cool spiked leather gloves to the mix, Falguni & Shane ensured that whilst still in touch with their habit of making exquisite evening-wear, they still know how to shake things up a little.

words: Navneet Gill

photos: Nedim Nazerali

Meadham Kirchhoff AW11

So, it may well have been the fastest fashion show in the history of, well, EVER, but Meadham Kirchhoff's AW collection, entitled 'A Cosmology of Women' was also, without a doubt, one of the best we'd seen all AW11 season.

All 24 of Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff's looks lined up at the catwalk exit before marching in an orderly boarding-school fashion down the runway, round the creepy car-crash-style shrine placed in the middle of the catwalk and right back up to the exit again so quickly that the it was near impossible for the fashion writers and photographers to capture on the furiously fast-paced collection. 

Set to an eerie soundtrack (because what macabre situation is complete without the Psycho's 'shower scene' noise...) the collection featured the prominent use of a typically haunting colour palette - black, white and red and the contradictory use of soft, sheer chiffons paired with heavier fabrics and chunky cable-knit socks. Embroidered with tiny childhood relics like lipsticks and dogs, the collection was brought alive by pinafores, buttoned-up shirts and innocently girly bows and blonde curls (given that edge by the ominous black roots). The 'Cosmology of Women' (which also featured menswear) just sceamed 'psychotic schoolchildren chic', and brought a welcome change from all the sci-fi inspired looks we'd seen at almost every other LFW show.

Yeah, we know, witchcraft is a popular and often cliched theme for the Autumn/Winter season but Meadham Kirchhoff gave it a refreshing new edge with their hauntingly nostalgic take on all those horror stories set in spooky old English boarding schools that your big brother used to tell you when you were little. For all those missing the quirky sense of British eccentricity that Luella brought to the fashion week stage, fear not: Meadham Kirchhoff have arrived and they're making sure that trend-rejecting offbeat fashion is alive and well. We couldn't be happier, well, unless one of those cutely creepy witchy hats decides to fly its way over to us this upcoming season!


words: Navneet Gill
photos: style.com