At Bautier, we enjoy a good read. Therefore, we have sourced a nice selection of magazines and books for the shop that will keep you inspired. A brilliant publication 'that celebrates the importance of culture and place' is Lindsay. Founded and edited by Beth Wilkinson, and named after her grandfather (Lindsay James Stanger), a man who documented the world with his many analogue cameras, this magazine echoes his approach to life: with an open mind, a thirst for learning and a love for sharing stories. Lindsay is created in collaboration with writers, photographers, and artists from around the globe. It began online in 2017, released its first issue in 2018, and has just printed its second. We asked Beth Wilkinson to tell us more.
Why do you think Lindsay’s first issue caused such a whir on the independent magazine circuit?
I think being international from the beginning has certainly helped get the word out there. I self-distributed our first issue and worked really hard to find the best bookshops, museum stores and concept spaces that aligned with who we are. I self-distributed Lindsay to more than 80 stores in 20 countries. It was pretty exciting seeing it make its way into stores like Gucci Garden in Florence, Ofr Paris and LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
But I also think the content and ethos have really resonated with readers. From the day we launched, I have regularly received personal messages and emails from readers telling me how much they’ve connected to the stories or how they’ve read the magazine from cover to cover. Lindsay is a labour of love, and I think that readers can feel that when they hold it and make their way through the pages.
What’s the biggest challenge regarding self-publishing?
It’s all very hands-on, and there are a lot of moving parts. Wearing so many different hats can be challenging, but it certainly keeps the job dynamic!
How’s the second issue different from the first one?
Every issue, at its core, is a celebration of the important role places and cultures play in our world. So I want every issue to do that, but each one will do that in different ways. We’ll focus on new places, new people, new topics, but within the same format. I want there to be a consistent shell, so the reader has a sense of familiarity, but what sits within that shell should feel wildly different from issue to issue—to show off our colourful world.
What makes a good story?
A good story needs to connect with the reader and, for me, that can often come down to voice and tone. Even if it’s not a first-person narrative, you still want to hear the writer in those words—know who they are and where they’re coming from. Stories shouldn’t feel faceless. I want readers to be able to hear the different voices of our writers so that they can then be taken wherever the story goes.
With national borders tightening, diversity is threatened. Why do you think people are so afraid, and what does the magazine do to tackle it?
It’s difficult because when you make a magazine you want to create your own voice so that people understand who you are, yet as a magazine that’s about celebrating different cultures, I don’t want to put forward this homogenized view of the world. I’m aware of my own biases, and I try to challenge those. I also work with writers and photographers from around the world, and I think this is essential if I want to make a magazine that puts forward different stories and perspectives.
Where do you find the photographers and writers for the magazine?
Everywhere. In print, online, via social media. Some I seek out, and others have found us.
What magazines do you like reading and which book is on your shelf right now?
I am reading Always Another Country by Sisonke Msimang (you’ll find out why when Issue No. 3 comes out in March). And some of my favourite magazines include The Gentlewoman, Apartamento, Vestoj, The Happy Reader and The New Yorker.
What do you do when you have some time off?
I enjoy watching films, cooking, dinner parties with friends, getting out in nature—anything that doesn’t involve my phone or a screen.
What is the Lindsay Readers Club about?
I’ve just started it! I always wanted Lindsay to be more than a magazine. As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to create a community. From the beginning, we’ve run events, and they’ve been such an essential way for us to connect to our readers, and also for them to connect with one another. One of our recent events at Heide Museum of Modern Art was limited to just 60 spots, so it became this very intimate and special evening where readers could meet one another over a mutual love for textiles (that was the topic of the conversation). I want to be able to produce more of these events, and have them all over the world—a global community of like-minded, curious people who can connect in the real world.
Lindsay Magazine is sold at the shop.
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With the support of MAD
Brussels Fashion & Design Platform