The 5 Books & Magazines We’re Reading This Weekend (NSFW)
Contrary to the official Instagram feed, it’s not all sneaker drops and new collections in the HS office. Quite a bit of printed matter comes through our doors.
Some of the selections are paper imprints from our favorite brands or agencies, others are indie publications that have piqued our interest — all feature distinctive storytelling, even if it isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes we’re drawn to a particularly ardent piece of prose, other times it’s arresting photography or an unusual layout that makes us revisit an already-read page, sometimes it’s a combination of all three.
Every week we’ll be sharing a few of the volumes that have found a permanent home on our office shelves or in the living spaces of our writers and editors.
1000 Sneakers
Mathieu Le Maux's hefty sneaker bible offers a rich selection of archival photographs and advertisements that trace the rise of global sneaker culture, and profiles the shoes responsible for helping move public interest along. Weighing in at over 200-plus pages, 1000 Sneakers showcases everything from one-of-a-kind releases such as Kareem Abdul Jabar's 1971 adidas, to detailed pictures of the earliest Keds and Converse silhouettes.
Today, the sneaker and resale market is comprised of complex global networks of amateur collectors, hardcore enthusiasts and everyone in between. Not only that, sneaker sales account for millions of dollars' worth of profit a year, and our fascination is only growing. So whether you're a true sneakerhead or just a history buff interested in the legacy of fire kicks, this is a quality read.
The Carhartt WIP Archives
Established in 1889 in Detroit, Michigan, Carhartt's blue-collar pedigree and rugged, function-first aesthetic quickly catapulted the label to a position as one of America's most beloved heritage brands. According to Rizzoli's newly released Carhartt-dedicated book, it all began with the brown duck work coat, a silhouette that is now synonymous with Carhartt's very name.
The photo-heavy volume begins at the brand's genesis and goes on to detail its unlikely collaboration with legendary label Tommy Boy Records. From there, the little Motor City brand could spread across the country as Carhartt found itself embraced by city dwellers, inner-city denizens, workmen and fashion lovers alike. If you geek out over the intersection of history, art and design, this is just the kind of visual stimuli to make you forget the outside world exists for a few hours.
Saji
"What you eat today is what you will be in 10 years," reads a teasing warning on the first page of Saji, a thin-but-pithy, whimsical volume dedicated to everyone's favorite thing: food. Although the mag itself has been in production for over 10 years, this particular issue is special in that it's dedicated to the kids. And if there's any doubt about that, the personified fork, knife, spoon, and friendly looking strawberry decorating the cover are a dead giveaway.
Yet another beautiful things about Saji is that it's published in not one but three languages: English, French and Japanese. Outside of the fanciful illustrations the edition includes mind-enriching games, fun and easy recipes, and another smaller book about a small green pepper who just wants to be liked by everyone.
FONDLE Magazine Issue 05
FONDLE stands as a collaborative effort between LA-based creatives Carlos Anthony Olives and Nicholas Kirsten. Now on its fifth issue, it's the kind of imprint that is imbued with the kind of startling and arbitrary beauty that attracts so many of us to experimental art magazines.
There's a spirited sense of exploration in the oddly-placed fonts and hodgepodge editorials that find joy in playing with everything from lighting, color, form and subject. It's not the kind of magazine you need a context to really kick back and enjoy, and that's a rare pleasure.
Family Photos
With Family Photos, photographer Brad Phillips sets out to create a new type of domestic photography. Both a provisional title and a genuine ambition, the 40-page paperback provides a sense of intimate realism into the life of his partner Cristine, taken before they were married.
Inspired by legendary artist Alex Katz's continuous depiction of his wife Ada, the photos were shot during the couple's long-distance period, from Morocco and London to Niagara Falls. Each edition comes with the option to be signed and you can pick up your copy here.
