Ten of the Decade’s Best Designed Magazines, Chosen by magCulture’s Jeremy Leslie
To celebrate magCulture’s tenth anniversary, It’s Nice That invited its founder, Jeremy Leslie, to select ten of the most visually striking publications from the past decade. He also reflects on the evolution and future of the small press industry.
Reflections on magCulture’s Physical Store
It’s Nice That: What are your key reflections on ten years of the magCulture shop? Any standout successes?
Jeremy Leslie: It’s hard to believe a decade has passed. For a long time, the shop felt new, but now it’s established—not old, but secure in its place. That stability is reassuring, yet we can’t grow complacent. We must keep an open mind and avoid resting on our laurels.
One early highlight was realizing the shop was much more than a retail space. It became a public hub where magazine enthusiasts could connect—readers, publishers, and aspiring publishers alike.
“It’s a public space for magazine lovers to meet like-minded people: other readers, publishers, wannabe publishers.”
Many fascinating visitors drop by regularly. For example, fashion designer Junya Watanabe admired their black tote bags so much he bought several hundred and used them in a shirt design for his next collection.
The store attracts a diverse crowd, including fashion professionals, DJs, opera directors, filmmakers, students, graduates, as well as magazine creators and fans of various subjects such as literature, music, and humor.
“Being a public space is hugely liberating, so much better than working in a closed office or studio.”
Atmosphere and Community
- The shop fosters a vibrant community mixing professionals and enthusiasts.
- It encourages mingling among diverse creative fields and magazine fans.
- The open environment inspires collaboration and exchange of ideas.
Jeremy Leslie sees the store not just as a commercial entity but as a lively cultural meeting point, vital for the ongoing vibrancy of the small press scene.
Author's summary: Jeremy Leslie views the magCulture shop as a dynamic creative hub where diverse magazine enthusiasts and creators connect, helping sustain the small press culture’s vitality.