''125 Magazine'' was a

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, based publication for work and ideas by photographers, illustrators and artists around the world.

Background

''125 Magazine''s founding partners and the core editorial team were photographers Perry Curties and Jason Joyce, and art directors Rob Crane and Martin Yates who started ''125'' in 2003 after the realization that no unbiased platform for new work by both established and emerging talent existed. The first issue (themed Fashion) was released in the UK and received a nomination in the Magazine Design Awards but was not a commercial success. The magazine grew to a 300-page, 2 kg 'gallery' of new work and ideas by photographers, stylists and illustrators around the world. In 2013, the publishers and advertisers shut down ''125''. The magazine reached distribution in 23 countries, with 21 issues and 2 books.

Print sales

''125'' had a print-sales service which makes all the photography in the magazine available as limited edition art prints through its website. Inclusion in the service is not compulsory but all contributors were offered the chance to participate, with income divided equally between photographer and ''125''. According to the ''125'' website they sold in excess of 8000 prints online and through exhibitions with companies and galleries including

Paul Smith Paul Smith is the name of: Music * Paul Smith (composer) (1906–1985), American film music composer * Paul Smith (pianist) (1922–2013), Los Angeles jazz pianist * Paul Smith (English singer) (born 1979), vocalist and songwriter of British in ...

and St. Lukes advertising agency.

Contributors

Each issue had a theme and contained the work of 20-25 contributors as well as interviews with creative talents such as Nick Knight,

Glen Luchford Glen Luchford (born 1968) is a British fashion photographer and film director. He lives and works in Venice, California.Christine Lennon (June 19, 2014)Glen Luchford Opens the Rose Hotel in Venice, Calif.''Wall Street Journal''. Life and work A s ...

, Sean Ellis,

Don McCullin Sir Donald McCullin (born 9 October 1935) is a British photojournalist, particularly recognised for his war photography and images of urban strife. His career, which began in 1959, has specialised in examining the Social documentary photograph ...

Rankin (photographer) John Rankin Waddell (born 1966), known as Rankin, is a British photographer and director who has photographed, amongst other subjects, Björk, Kate Moss, Madonna (entertainer), Madonna, David Bowie and Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II. The Eve ...

, and

Magnum Photos Magnum Photos is an international photographic cooperative owned by its photographer-members, with offices in Paris, New York City, London and Tokyo. It was founded in 1947 in Paris by photographers Robert Capa, David Seymour (photographer), Davi ...

. High-profile names were commissioned to shoot for ''125'', such as Rankin, Richard Kern,

Perou perou by frances 2000, right Ralph John Perou (born May 1970), known professionally as Perou and @mrperou on social media, is a British fashion, portrait and music photographer who has also appeared as a judge on '' Make Me a Supermodel UK'' ...

, Christopher Griffith, Alice Hawkins, Mick Rock, Shinichi Maruyama, Ernst Fischer, and Tim Simmons.

Influences and competitors

The ''125'' founders have cited

I-D ''i-D'' is a British biannual magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art, film and youth culture. The magazine was launched in 1980 by Terry Jones, originally as a hand-stapled fanzine it has since evolved into a glossy publication. In 2023 the ...

, and particularly Rankin's ''Rank Magazine'' which was a short-lived independent showcase as proof that such a magazine was a viable proposition. In 2003 ''Tank'', ''Exit'' and ''Big Magazine'' were the closest rivals to ''125''.

References

External links

*
''125''/Paul Smith Collaboration

Colophon, Luxembourg
{{Authority control 2003 establishments in the United Kingdom Biannual magazines published in the United Kingdom Photography magazines published in the United Kingdom Magazines established in 2003 Magazines published in London