Frankie Magazine Issue 88 is officially out in the big, wide world, with plenty of goodness squished between its pages. Like what, you ask? Well, Curious George and/or Georgette, there’s a guide to starting your own veggie patch, for one – complete with a handy-dandy planting chart. You’ll also find a breakdown of the best and worst places to take a dip, some rather glorious marine-inspired weaving, and paintings devoted to the art of doing nothing at all. We meet some pretty special people, as well: creative types in shared studios; a lass inspired by her cross-cultural adoption; and another who spends her days staring into space for legitimate work. We discuss things only people with cancer know; romance novels that don’t totally suck; and explore some of history’s secret languages and codes. All that, plus the usual laughs, prettiness and chin-scratchers? Sounds pretty good, if we do say so ourselves.
Back when it all began, frankie magazine founders publisher Louise Bannister and creative director Lara Burke could think of nothing better than spending their days op-shopping and drinking cups of tea. (They still can’t – some things never change.) One day they put together a plan to start a magazine. They were uninspired with what was being offered on newsagency shelves and felt nothing could relate to them. Both firm friends with similar tastes, they wanted a magazine that spoke directly to the reader, contained great affordable fashion, sweet art, interesting reads, real people and pretty photography. With the support and encouragement of youth lifestyle publishing house Morrison Media, their dream became a reality. A few years later, Louise decided to go off overseas on a big adventure, so the duo called up their friend Jo Walker to take over as editor and assist in tea-making duties. Then, when Louise returned from her jaunt abroad and settled in to work as associate publisher, the three ladies set about welcoming a whole load of lovely people to fill out the frankie family tree and help bring their little mag to the world: Frankie. Take also a look at Spaces Magazine, another publication from frankie press.