Fab read!

Just wanted to write a quick post on Vogue India's first issue. First things first: I didn't think much of the cover. Technically it was perfect, but I found it a tad boring. Also, it seemed to be channeling Vogue China's 2005 inaugural cover. In fact, I liked the China cover better as the clothes had texture and made the cover interesting, where as the Indian cover looks like an ad for L’Oreal.

But never mind that. I've discovered that there's a lot of truth to the adage 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. I just picked up my copy yesterday (after my local vendor said it was all sold out... how fab is that?) and I can tell you it's a riveting read. Haven't finished the entire book yet (it's quite a hefty issue), but the articles so far are well-written and meticulously researched. The writing is intelligent, mature and knowledgable, and you know the people dishing out the goods know what they're talking about. Unlike other magazines, where I get the distinct impression it's being written by amateurs with little knowledge of the industry and what's worse, an eye for things that are purely cool.

Being trendy is one thing, being on trend quite another. And that's where I think Vogue scores high marks. Yes, it caters to a high-end market and only luxury goods really advertise in it, but I discovered yesterday that it also talks to you in a manner that seeks to educate you enough to have your own take on fashion. Everyone else just demands that you wear what's hot right now. Vogue tells you if you can't afford Balenciaga you could shop cheaper and still be on trend. It's not called the fashion bible for no reason, huh? I can already see other fashion magazines running for cover.