When I expressed that the one magazine that I wanted to get my mitts on was Preen magazine, little did I know that the folks over at Preen would be kind enough to hear my plea and ship some copies over to me all the way from sunny LA.  Let's just say the pages are pure eye candy.  There's something really fresh about the way the editorials are styled and judging from these snaps (still minus a scanner.... or minus the space to keep a scanner...) from the latest issue 4, this certainly isn't typical US-fash-mag fare.  Designers like Christian Wijnants and Haider Ackerman mixed with vintage pieces.  American talent like Chris Benz is showcased (that quad breasted yellow blazer is like a lemon candy melted into a delicious jacket form...) in a decidedly un-Teen-Vogue tone, not that there's anything wrong with that but Preen has created a different context for the designer.    

(From Preen Issue 4 - 'Pre Millenium Tension' photographed by Peter Stanglmayr, styled by Avena Gallagher)

In particular, the Go Set Go editorial, photographed by Marcelo Krashlcic and styled by Jason Farrer has set my autumnal tone of daggy baggy weirdness.  Seemingly mis-matched clothes in a plethora of colours and textures that are still a considered  ensemble, made cute again with platforms/wedges and knee high socks.  Oh and the vintage specs that I'll be kitting myself in to rest my weary torn eyes.   

Good news is that from issue 5 onwards, Preen will be stocked internationally and most likely will be winging it's way into all the usual London fash-mag spots (Borders, Claire de Rouen, RD Franks etc).  For all the fash mag addicts out there (I've seen you loitering around Borders looking crestfallen when you find the new i-D isn't out yet!), I'd keep an alert out for Preen!