V is for Visionaire

Visionaire is like magazine couture. Why? Well, first of all it costs a lot. And when I say "a lot" I mean it.
But that's only the venial aspect.
It is like couture because it involves major artists and designers, and every issue is a little masterpiece, an artistic manifesto. The first issue came out in Spring 1991. Called "Spring" is an effort inspired in part by Irving Penn's book of flowers. Released unbinded (they couldn't afford binding), a copy reached fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi who sent them a note saying, ''Congratulations, you're doing a Flair for the '90s!''.

From then on, it only got better. Famous fashion designers and photographers contribute to its issues, which come out 3-4 times per year. They experiment with contents and with packaging: the current issue called "Religion", for example, comes in a box made with wood from. The artistic direction? Riccardo Tisci from Givenchy. The inspiration? An exploration of religion. There's plenty of references to funeral processions, baroque churches and religious old master sculpture and painting.

The current issue leather cover

One of the photos from Visionaire 60: Religion. Carine Roitfeld photographed by Karl Lagerfeld

Visionaire 60: Lea T by Giovanna Battaglia & Pierpaolo Ferrari

Visionaire 60: Christina Ricci by Daniele & Iango portrayed as a Spanish Madonna

For further informations visit Visionaire