The Magazine Shop

The Outpost goes where few Arab publications dare to go: an endearing and honest look into life in the Arab world and the possibilities of moving foreword and practicing a better way of life. Based out of Beirut, it’s a magazine that strongly believes in looking at the past, thinking about the future and living for the present.

Through the pages you will find essays depicting extraordinary people and fascinating stories, memories and accounts of life in the Middle East & Arab world. The Outpost is the type of magazine that will make you feel inspired, full of optimism and really make you think of possibilities, which is much of the reason why they topped our end of year list last year. 

We caught up with editor Ibrahim Nehme to discuss The Outpost's realm of probability, the brilliant theme of the current issue and where that wonderful cheque of 'happiness' from the third issue comes from. 

'We wanted to shed light on a force of positivity that exists across the Arab world' 

1. The concept of being a magazine of ‘possibilities’ is a extraordinary & inspiring one. How has the reaction been to The Outpost?

I’ll use your words and say that the reaction has been extraordinary and inspiring. Extraordinary because we weren’t at all expecting the positive reaction from both readers and media, locally and globally, after our launch. And then we started noticing is having some kind of positive impact in the real world, which was inspiring for us.

2. How important do you think it is to house a platform for optimism and change?

Very, especially in a place like the Arab world where the narrative is overwhelmingly negative. We call it the narrative of impossibility, because it's really all about that - open any media outlet reporting and the region and odds are that the narrative will be about the impossibilities of living, working, or just being in the Arab world. This is why we set out to be a magazine of possibilities; we publish narratives of possibility in order to eventually counter those of impossibility. 

3. I loved the cheque of ‘365 days of happiness’ showcased on the front cover of your current third issue (pictured above). Whats the story?

I found this check while walking one late summer evening in Hamra, a neighborhood in Beirut, where I found a stack of books thrown on the sidewalk. I stopped to flip through them and the cheque was found wedged in between the pages of one of the books. We later discovered that it was issued by a man called Hikmat Khodor in 1974, one year before the war started as New Year's greetings. I find the story absolutely fascinating. Also, it shows how important imagination is in offering a space for positivity, even in the darkest places. 

4. The theme of your new issue is ‘the possibility of warming our hearts’, can you tell us a bit more about that?

We were working on this when the war on Gaza broke, and we saw what was going on in Syria and Iraq and elsewhere in the region. We wanted to shed light on a force of positivity that exists across the Arab world, which we thought was important to highlight during these negative times. 

5. What do you see for the future of The Outpost, does it relate to the future of the Arab world?

We have big plans for the magazine but they're obviously dependent on funding, since we're independent. I see The Outpost's future relating to the future of the Arab world, yes, because our mission is closely tied to the future of the Arab world.

http://www.the-outpost.com/

As this year comes to an end, we look back at our favourite publications that we've been reading over the past 12 months. It's been a great year for magazines with so many new exciting titles being released, you'd hardly believe that 'print is dead'.

it's been a pleasure stocking such unique titles at the shop that push boundaries not only in content, but design and concept too. Sometimes it's easy to forget that there are dedicated people out there, working on publications that will stand the test of time and offer inspiration to those who search for it.

We encourage you all to pick up a magazine in the new year and not just flick through the images but really read what these people have to say, they are carrying the torch of print and leading it into new, exciting territories.  

1. The Outpost 

The fact that The Outpost exists is a blessing in itself. A magazine dedicated to possibilities of a better life in the Middle East & North Africa, offering inspiration and hope to those who decide to keep an optimistic outlook.

'it may seem odd that you're holding a heartwarming issue at a time when our hearts are breaking into a million little pieces every day'

Though it is easy at times to be pulled down from what is going on around you, sometimes you just need someone to help lift you back up and keep you going. The Outpost fills this role with style, integrity and hope. 

2. Wax Poetics

Wax Poetics offers the qualities that every music publication should thrive to have, a true dedication to it's art and culture. The amount of research & study that goes in to make every issue never ceases to astound and with the brilliant selection of archival images they get their hands on, it really is a recipe for success.  

'From day one, we wanted to tell the stories of our culture's heroes'. 

Editor Andre Torres offers 'real talk' every issue, making it public when the magazine was close to it's demise last year. It's hard for an independent publication to survive and perhaps WP is a great example of the importance of support from an audience to sustain something truly unique and historically important. 

3. Apartamento 

Stylistically, it's no lie that Apartamento has shed design inspiration to dozens of new publications coming out in the past few years. That perfectly satisfying size, the consistently simple, yet elegant layouts, the personal & warm photography, that 'futura' font. It pushes the boundaries of what an interior design magazine can be and we love it for that. 

Of course, the content is always on par. The interviews carried out are filled with so much joy and engaging content that you'd feel like you really are in that the house of the many guests featured in the publication. 

What Apartamento have tapped into is that although it's easy to get a great person to interview, adding in a well spoken, interesting interviewee who knows who he's speaking creates brilliant content with many memorable stories for you to take away. It's a magazine that keeps giving and lasts much longer than it's shelf life. 

4. The Carton

The Arab worlds food magazine savour. Never have we had such a beautifully designed food publication with such exciting content in the region. The Carton showcases a culture that has been obsessed with food for centuries, addressed from various angles, be it sociopolitical, anthropological or historical. 

Every issue sees a new theme to be explored in it's entirety, through angles most people wouldn't ever consider. This is research at it's finest, thinking outside of the box to create an end product that is to be cherished.

With a re-design that's seen the publication turn into a hardback, bi-annual print, The Carton are on top of their game and it's exciting to see them grow whilst staying true to what they do. A perfect balance of looking back at your roots for inspiration whilst looking up and beyond to create something fresh and exciting.   

5. Delayed Gratification 

'Slow Journalism'. This is the main theme behind Delayed Gratification, a quarterly news publication that takes in all the important matters that happen every three months, analysing these big events with detail, thoughtful journalism, analytical diagrams & engaging photography. 

No, Delayed Gratification is not a newspaper. It is a beautifully printed and designed independent magazine that stands to challenge what it is to be a news publication. 

In a time when we are processing mass amounts of news on a daily basis from multiple platforms, sometimes it's important to look back and reflect on what has happened in the world and cherish these moments, be it good or bad. 

6. The Gourmand 

The Gourmand is a nostalgics best dream. A food & cultural journal that studies the world of food from every possible angle, often looking back at the past to compare how the experience of food was then and how it is now. It borrows styles from different era's in time, such as the rather excellent 60s style recipe section at the back that reminds me of my moms old cook books.  

You'll find stories in these pages that your likely to have never heard of if you aren't involved in the food industry, and these are stories that need to be heard. The publication pushes the boundaries of what food print can be, often acting as an exciting, no limits journey that never ceases to surprise each issue. 

What makes The Gourmand stand out in a sea of food publications is it's lack of care for what other publications are doing, by simply highlighting interesting oddities in the food world through style and timeless content, they have created a publication that every food interested person should own. 

7. WTD

Few architecture magazines look and feel as good as WTD does. Based out of Dubai, the publication showcases Middle Eastern designs & buildings, often exploring and appreciating the raw and ever-evolving process.

The biggest strength of WTD lies in it's ability to appeal to both architecture enthusiasts and new comers. They are approachable; catching your eyes first with their beautiful photography, layouts and soy-inked paper, and then further lured in with fantastic, personal stories, in depth studies and historical overviews into some of the regions finest buildings and urban landscapes. 

With the conservation of historical land marks in the Middle East constantly being under threat by 'new' and 'bigger' projects, WTD stands as a nod to what we have achieved architecturally in our culture, in all it's beauty, style and uniqueness.  

8. Little White Lies 

I will go out of my way to make a big statement: there has never existed a movie magazine like Little White Lies, period. Few titles can match the balance they have between well constructed and researched journalism with such wit and integrity.   

A film magazine with a knack for beautiful illustrations, design and an ethos of ‘truth and movies’ is almost too good to be true. It's a highly enjoyable read that sees a different movie every other month get deconstructed, exploring every aspect of a movie and often meandering into unforeseen, entertaining territories.

Little White Lies is a rare beauty, one that stands to convey honest representations of movies and its culture and they do it flawlessly.  

9. MOOD 

MOOD brings together two things most people enjoy with pleasure: food & music. Creating a publication that celebrates these past times together, marrying them on a silk bed of warm heartedly good fun. The photography in MOOD is always superb, with vibrant colours popping out of the every corner of the page and with the matching content, both sincere and engaging, you've got yourself a fine magazine. 

'We noticed such a strong correlation between the two subjects and the lack of content around where they meet'

Through travel features, MOOD explores all the world has to offer, visiting different countries, going to their music festivals, interviewing musicians & chefs, hanging out in record stores, music venues and bars. Theres a lot about MOOD that we like and we're looking forward to seeing where they go next. 

10. Kinfolk

We all know that imagery is important, whether you use it to create a certain atmosphere or to express a certain story or concept - Kinfolk is a magazine that knows this. Through the feel of their uncoated paper, sincere stories and photography harkening to a more natural world; Kinfolk creates a warm, humble feel that makes you feel all sentimental inside. 

The concept is simple; Kinfolk is a magazine about gatherings, the kind of close family and friends nestled around a wood chipped fire, with great food and a better atmosphere. Through features such as stories, poems, recipes, interviews and photography, Kinfolk express and encourage people to enjoy life’s more simple endeavours. 

What sets Kinfolk apart from other minimalist lifestyle/food publications is the fact that the publication has created an open community, inviting everyone to take part. By hosting actual gatherings, they are bringing their ethos to life and thus creating a full experience. 

Honourable Mentions 

Brownbook

Since we are part of the same company, I felt this would be biased to include in the list. They are howevor doing great things with some of the best photography I've seen this year. 

Anorak 

A wonderful children's publication that out weighs the quality of every other kids magazine combined, offering well crafted tales and illustrations from the industries finest. A guilty pleasure for adults too!

The State

The State is a publishing practice based out of Dubai, U.A.E, focusing on south-south relations, alternative conceptions of the future, and language. They produce some of the most thought-provoking, exciting pieces of journalism in the region.

OOMK

A highly visual, handcrafted small-press publication focusing on the imaginations, creativity & spirituality of women with a specific focus on Muslim women. It's a publication that's so important to the region and needs to be read. 

Photography fans! Don't miss out the second instalment of Faces of the UAE tomorrow night at@thearchivedubai starting at 6.30PM. We've got brilliant photographer Sarah Dea coming in to walk us through her body of work taken in the UAE, whilst sharing stories along the way. See you there! 

Join us in celebrating the launch of Brownbook Magazine's new 'Professors' issue with a special lecture by Dina Faour, associate professor of advertising at AUD. 

We're excited to announce the speaker for our second Crit Club! This time we've got Lucio Frigo, founder of MATERIA, a real estate development platform working on some fascinating community-based architecture projects in Mozambique.  Join us on Weds Nov 5 in DIFC for an insight into his work. Hope to see you there! 

Big thanks to everyone who came to visit our stall at Downtown Design last week! We had a super time meeting you all, good vibes all round! We were lucky to have been visited by two big players in the print industry who blessed us with great conversation! The fourth image sees Suzanne Trocme, editor of Wallpaper at our shop while the fifth sees deputy editor of The Gentlewoman, Caroline Roux gracing her presence in the store! 

It comes with a heavy heart to announce the closure of our Media City branch this Wednesday, 15th October. A big thanks to all the regulars who made it such a magical space, we had a blast! We will be re-opening our DIFC branch next week so please stay tuned and visit us over there, we have a lot of fantastic stuff planned! 

We also intend to open up a new store soon so watch this space.