Cultural understanding.
The definition of the word retro is: imitative of a style or fashion from the recent past.
The new wave of 'Thrift shop' fashion has peaked in recent times. A cluster of 1980's and 1990's fashion, has gained attraction in vast groups of festival going youth. The magazine will focus also in part the revival of old English resort towns. These resort towns were once the go-to destinations for holiday makers in the mid 20th century. However when packaged holidays became cheap, many people abandoned these towns to go abroad. Following many years of dilapidation and neglect many of these towns, Brighton, Blackpool, Margate. etc, are embarking on a cultural revival, banking mostly on nostalgia of the golden age of such towns. Amusements, Parks and cultural hot-spots have been key elements of such towns.
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| A look at Camden town market A display of various cultures, with the majority following the Libertarian ideology. |
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| A page from a graphic design blog about post modernism The page explains that post-modernism embraces new Ideas whilst still combining and retaining old aesthetics. |
However whilst the main narrative of the magazine was to focus upon the cultural revival, the magazine will also be partially dedicated to lifestyle as well as fashion, and although arguably this splits from the brief set, the idea that the lifestyle of the individual does shape not only their understanding of cultural norms and readings, but also their ability to question the norms to create pluralistic ideals which question mass market economics and almost hark back to the generations before in the 1960's who first made news by breaking cultural norms creating this seaside lifestyle we see today. This understanding of the past and the evolution of this hegemonic lifestyle, links heavily with Michel Foucault's understanding of 'Archaeology'. Which, in summary, is about analyzing past representations in order to understand the processes which has led to modern ideas and representations either in mass media or niche groups.
Sociology-political ideals aside, the magazine, as mentioned before, is about combining retro and old aesthetics to a modern audience. But it is important to note that the magazine must still be relevant otherwise the need for such a magazine does not exist. The magazines innate purpose is to deliver and to highlight cultural changes, in this case fashion changes, which in the eyes of our target audience is a necessity to keep relevant and trendy. Therefore in summary the magazine must include modern ideals about social mechanics through the medium of fashion. For example: Global warming: using the magazine to highlight the issue and to therefore promote a more sustainable lifestyle through Eco-friendly clothing.
Current archetypal concerns amongst progressive left-wing youth, are:
- Climate change, Global warming and sustainability
- Mental health and psychological issues amongst young people
- Globalization and the inter-connectivity of countries/borders (Eu/Brexit)
- Human rights violations and atrocities associated with modern warfare and instability in LEDC regions.
- Economic affairs after 2008
- Rise of extreme politics, primarily in western first world countries.