March Madison

My review of Madison mag for the archfashion site

Elegant Beginnings

It’s fair to say that Madison magazine is like no other in its league, and this month’s issue is no exception. Laced with in-depth features, a fashion spectrum that covers high-end trends for ‘work’ or ‘play’, and a selection of career, health and living editorials, the Madison reader is intelligent, sharp and shamelessly stylish. The March cover is the perfect reflection of the magazine’s stylish elegance, featuring all-round nice girl Rachel Bilson, swathed in a palette of soft neutrals and subtle peaches, whilst luxuriously sitting in front of a beach setting. The perfect transition from the hyperactivity of the festive season, to the serenity of the autumn months. Editor, Lizzie Renkert, touches on the devastation of the Queensland floods in her opening letter and the trivialities of discussing the trends in the current issue. However, Renkert then goes on to say she hopes Madison can bring a little sunshine into our lives when all is gloomy, which is precisely what this issue does.

First-up is the regular ‘trend’ section featuring hot-off-the-catwalk styles to incorporate into your A/W wardrobe asap- think muted tones of tan and taupe (an obvious colour staple), and bag du jour, the statement envelope clutch. But, the more iconic ‘fashspiration’ comes later in the issue with the first introductory pieces for autumn. In keeping with the magazine’s ‘elegant’ theme, the fashion team compile ‘Fashion’s new elegance-new season saviours’- a go-to spread of the season’s new power-players and key pieces to keep you stylish in the colder months. These include the maxi skirt, knits, stripes, cropped pants, the timeless blazer and a touch of leopard for a hot-right-now trend. Many of the pieces featured in the fashion spreads are pricey designer labels, but for those who are on a tighter budget there are still some great chainstore buys that will keep you looking effortlessly stylish and on-trend.

A prominent feature of Madison is its ability to move beyond the purely superficial, and create informative, in-depth editorials and features on topics such as fashion and beauty. This month, take a fashion history lesson, in Nicholas Fonseca’s Head of the Class, an insight into the spirited and remarkable journey of renowned fashion icon and costume designer, Edith Head. Much of our knowledge of on-screen costume design stems from contemporary designers and trends, however, the impact fashion guru Head had on 20th century Hollywood style is still largely present today. Fonseca outlines Head’s iconic career in a revealing profile piece, charting her transition from costume designer, to the creator of Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. Not only does the piece provide a ‘behind-the-scenes’ insight into the Hollywood movie industry and elusive Tinseltown glamour, it also describes and depicts in great detail a fashion maven who styled the world. In true Madison style, read about fashion in another era and prepare to be enthralled.

Whilst Madison showcases a great range of fashion and up and coming trends, the magazine differs from other predominately ‘fashion’ mags in its features department. Current affairs, relevant issues and controversial topics are all reported on and dissected in true investigative journalism style. A hot-topic this issue is the ever-growing problem of drug abuse, as Rebecca Wallwork reports. In A Father’s Love Wallwork talked to Journalist David Sheff about his gruelling experience, as he battled through his son’s extreme drug addiction. The story was a compelling read, providing an alternative perspective into the world of addiction and mental illness. For those who are some-what removed from the issue of drug abuse, the article will allow you to gain a clearer understanding of the motives behind illicit substance use, and the struggle to become ‘clean’.

So, for a mixture of elegant, yet hip fashion, the latest beauty loot plus how to use it, and features covering everything from current affairs, entertainment, careers/finance and home living, this month’s Madison is where it’s at- and if that’s not incentive enough to dig in, then surely the free Becca cheek and lip stain will be!