After what seemed like almost a year (okay, it actually was a year) we got our hands on the latest issue of King Brown this week.

As usual, it’s a bonus-packed, fun-filled extravaganza featuring some of the most talented illustrators and designers around. NYC duo Morning Breath (who you might know for their album artwork for Them Crooked Vultures), Kostas, Seonna Hong, Mick Harris, Nails, Sean Morris, Courtney Brims and plenty more make an appearance this time round.

The best thing to come out of Perth since Alan Bond, this baby is sealed in a brown paper bag designed by Magda Boreysza and includes an outdoor vinyl sticker and poster designed by Morning Breath. The print run is limited to 2000 copies, so get in quick!

When it rains it pours… and it’s about to really piss down.

In the next few days (hopefully!) we’ve got the new issues of Lula, Purple Fashion and Another Magazine all hitting our shelves in a simultaneous sweep of bi-annual awesomeness.

We’re also really excited that we will be the only store in Australia where you can buy the limited edition cover of Another Magazine featuring Marion Cotillard shot by Craig McDean. (And with Colette acting as the lone official retailer for France and Opening Ceremony taking care of New York and Tokyo, we’re pleased to be to in some pretty esteemed company.)

These haven’t arrived yet but as to the contents, the official word is:

Taking a journey to the centre of the earth with artist Doug Aitken, we see exclusive shoots by Alasdair McLellan, Paolo Roversi and Willy Vanderperre and elsewhere in the magazine meet Gavin Turk, Slavoj Zizek, Taryn Simon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Melanie Ward, Nicolas Roeg, Peggy Guggenheim, Lydia Lunch, Anish Kapoor, Courtney Love and Shirin Neshat whilst taking a look at Document, a 32-page literary magazine dedicated to the best archives and new writing.

Stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook pages for arrival news as it comes to hand.

With all the frantic hubbub surrounding the Christmas period, we’ve been a bit remiss in bringing you news about some of the newer and more interesting mag titles appearing on our shelves of late.

So, in an attempt to remedy that fact, here’s a bit of info about two of our new favourites that have popped up in recent weeks…

Founded by Marco Valli (the owner of London’s Magma chain of design bookstores and, we’ve gotta confess, someone that we feel a bit of a kindred spirit with, out here on the coalface of print media…) Elephant magazine is definitely a spectacular new arrival on the mag scene.

Beautifully designed by Matt Willey at Studio8, this issue includes:

Peter Saville on design Vs art, Fernando Gutiérrez on how the greatest things come from two people talking, Universal Everything’s Matt Pyke & Rafael Rozendaal, Spin’s Tony Brook and Adrian Shaughnessy tell us how to start a publishing company and a guide of ‘things to do in Sao Paulo when you are not dead’.

Also new, is Twin magazine from Lula co-founder Becky Smith. Stunningly bound in a hard cover book format, this is definitely not your run-of-the-mill throwaway mag.

Smith says:

I’m a big magazine nut, I’ve collected everything for years…my flat is covered from floor to ceiling with magazines. I thought about what I would want now as a fan. I want to move away from the mass marketed bog standard mag and create something that feels more unique and special. The 250 unique covers were expensive to produce but to have something that no one else has that is hand numbered – hopefully this feels special. It is the personalised touch which is very anti-magazine in a way.

This issue features a revealing interview with Sir Peter Blake (the English artist who did the cover to Sergeant Pepper’s not the Kiwi sailor who was killed by pirates), The Selby shoots the holiday house of New Yorkers Dan Martensen and Shannon Click and there’s a poetry portfolio curated by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and writing by Miranda July.

With all the dreamy imagery that made Lula the cult classic it very justifiably became as well as work from a whole host of new contributors… what’s not to like?

A collective sigh of relief at mag nation HQ today as Apartamento arrived. Finally.

We’ve literally had customers asking for this for about the last month now (although it feels like a lot longer.) There’s one guy who who comes into our Elizabeth Street store, pokes his head in at the ‘Our Favourites’ rack and then leaves with a disappointed look on his face. Every. Single. Day.

There is another guy in Sydney who calls the Newtown store every day and sheepishly asks “is it in yet”? Makes us think of a pubescent teenager on his first attempt. Bloody hell people. Yes, it is a hot magazine, one of the hottest around at the moment, but there is a whole wide world out there…

Now up to issue number four, the latest edition of this ‘every interiors’ mag includes an interview with Alessi’s Enzo Mari (featured a lavishly photographed spread of his Milan studio), Ari Marcopolous contributes photos of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon at home in Massachusetts as well as features on Mark & Garrick, Chloe Sevigny, Bertjan Pot and Gustavo Di Mario.

On top of all this, there’s a feature on Melbournians, Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey (aka fashion label Perks and Mini) shot at home by Serps Press’ Thomas Jeppe. Plus an ‘everyday life’ kid’s supplement with Andy Rementer, Geoff McFetridge and Jordi Ferreiro.

Get it while it lasts…

The new issue of Vanity Fair (the American edition, but we also stock the Italian and British versions, y’know?) arrived yesterday and ever since, hoards of teenage girls have been going absolutely and completely nuts for it.

After some close examination it has become apparent that this is due to the fact that Robert Pattinson from vampire flick Twilight is plastered all over the cover. He’s also pictured inside, in a variety of poses ranging from ‘pensive’ (reading a book) to ‘thoughtful’ (gazing wistfully at the camera) and… my favourite, playing a grand piano beside a lake with sheet music fluttering in the wind.

For your rather more mature (and perhaps rather more, um, male) Vanity Fair reader, however, there’s a very naked Stephanie Seymour inside shot by Mario Testino. And just quietly, she hasn’t looked this good since the video for November Rain.

This Friday sees the launch of an extraordinary book which commemorates the 15 year anniversary of an extraordinary magazine. One of the most popular magazines at mag nation, and without doubt our most popular online subscription title, get ready for the release of the IdN 15 year anniversary book titled “What do you love?” This massive 452 page beauty features specially commissioned works from over 250 of the amazing creatives who have collaborated with IdN over the years. Sounds like a reason to celebrate? It is.

And you are invited to the launch party.

Sydney: Friday 6th November starting at 6pm at 155 King St, Newtown. Oh, and by the way, that just happens to be the location of our new Sydney store!

Melbourne: Friday 13th November starting at 6pm at mag nation Elizabeth St, on The Third Floor.

We could ask you to RSVP, but we know you won’t, so just turn up anyway. Want more reasons to turn up other than just to celebrate great design and a great publication? Here’s one…

One of the featured artists in the book, and our good friend, Jeremyville, will be at the Sydney launch to sign the book for anyone who purchases it. We haven’t yet confirmed the string of famous designers who will turn up in Melbourne, but watch this space.

Oh, and if you purchase the book any time in November, you will also receive a copy of Tiger Gold (normally worth $40) for free. Exclusive to mag nation of course.

Ok, why don’t we even go further and really celebrate. We will also discount all the other IdN family of books by 30% until the end of November, or until we sell out, whichever comes first. Exclusive to mag nation once again!

And what about all those people who have been asking about IdN back copies… Yep, we have them in stock too.

So come along for a drink if you are in Sydney or Melbourne and celebrate IdN’s 15 years, the impending end of the decade, mag nation’s expansion into Sydney, or just the joy of great design.