Zines (pronounced, zeens) are independent magazines revolving around every kind of subject matter, from social issues, to art, to fashion, music, literature, photography, and fandoms. They're chock-full of artistic inspirations and novel ideas, and are a great way to support local artists and writers in your community. Zines also often tend to address the less glamorous or controversial sides of lifestyle that are frequently and conveniently passed over by mainstream media- you know, periods, body hair down there, and the politics you and your grandparents can't seem to compromise on.
If you've been suffering from a midsummer inspiration trough, flip through these creative online periodicals, or better yet, get to Etsy or find a zine/craft festival near you to purchase a print copy and support your local artists and author freelancers!
1. Cherry Mag
Cherry Mag is a feminist art and photography magazine, -and can I just say- the cover designs look straight up like something I could grab on stands. Inside you'll find lots of beautifully-captured photoshoots and conceptual shots, along with a host of doodles and hand-scripted fonts reminiscent of Rookie's very DIY lettering. Unfortunately, Cherry Mag will no longer be putting out any further issues, but you can still check out their nine previously published prints by clicking the photo above.
2. Girls Get Busy
Girls Get Busy is another feminist-powered anthology that promotes and supports girls who're getting busy through their craft, be it music, writing, or visual arts. I recommend browsing release #24 for great conceptual pieces, lovely literary works (like the one above), and a prime pink-based color scheme for optimal aesthetic consistency.
3. Grunge Art Mag
Grunge Art Mag, self-described as, "a contrast between elegance and grunge", features a huge host of photo stories and fashion editorials inspired by, well- the perfect striking of elegance and grunge. If you like playing dress-up and film photography, this mag will be up your alley.
4. Cry Baby Zine
There's nothing to cry about here. Unless of course, it's happy tears over how great the Wes Andersonesque featured shoots are.
5. Polyester Zine
Polyester explores a wide range of anabashed topics, including sex and sexuality, feminism, youth culture, mental disorders, and uniquely blatant fashion. To give you an idea, the first story I ever browsed through on Polyester, was a gallery of photos depicting girls modeling looks inspired by the designs on birth control packets. They've even featured the zine queen herself, Tavi Gevinson, on the cover!
6. Tongue Tied Mag
Tongue Tied Mag, which features an entirely teen/young adult-curated team, is all about encouraging the youth not to hold their voices, and instead- bite back. There's a little bit of everything here: poetry, fashion and new burgeoning brands to discover, social issues, recipes, and lifestyle tips. But the main kicker is the music; Tongue Tied is your go-to for honest album reviews, sick concert photography, indie playlists, and music festival survival guides.
7.Teen Eye Magazine
Teen Eye's dazzling, well-styled shoots could tumble straight from a real fashion editorial. Savvy runway talks and gorgeous golden hour shots are balanced out by the mix of art, culture, and science articles.
8. Holy Glitter Zine
Holy Glitter Zine is filled with magic and kitsch, '90s nostalgia and unicorns, and topped with a generous dusting of geek and glitter. In this creative corner of the internet, you'll find pages of playlists and portraits, articles about heroes and growing up, and a whole lot of mermaids and those sparkly stickers from your childhood with the holographic prism backings.
