London stylist creates stylish Black Panther inspired magazine
Superhero fans are anxiously awaiting the arrival of what’s predicted to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Black Panther.
The all Black cast and stunning visuals have us all shouting a resounding, YASSSS!
Set in Wakanda, a nation never touched by the outside world, Black Panther gives viewers a glimpse of an African utopia of sorts, one never colonized or influenced by others.
— Black Panther Preview: Meet Michael B. Jordan’s character Killmonger–
British stylist, Matthew Josephs loved the vibrant costumes and high-octane production behind the movie. Inspired by the mystical setting and styling of the Marvel Studios flick, the fashion expert teamed up with Disney and a group of principally Black writers and photographers to create a new magazine, Wakanda Zine.
“I thought to myself, ‘What would the cool, underground kids of Wakanda be wearing,’” Josephs says about the idea behind the zine.
According to Vogue.com, the magazine imagines Wakanda’s fashionable, Afro-futurism landscape and couples it with London flair.
— Black Panther Preview: Meet Angela Bassett’s character Queen Ramonda–
“I wanted it to have a punk spirit, like it was thrown together—high and low, traditional and non-traditional,” he said of the looks inside the magazine’s spreads.
The vision
The focus of the magazine is women’s fashion, with Joseph, who doubles as FKA Twigs stylist, scouting his all-Black troupe of models from the streets of London.
“I was really inspired by the Dora Milaje, Black Panther’s all-female crew of bodyguards, and I wanted to represent that Black feminine strength,” the U.K. couturiere noted. “Okoye [played by Danai Gurira], is the general of Dora Milaje, and was my absolute favorite character. There’s a fantastic moment with her in a wig that was just amazing, but I don’t want to spoil it for you!”
Josephs, who is a self-described “classic geek” says he grew up playing video games and reading comic books. After reading about the cutting edge plot of Black Panther, he considered it a dream to create such a fusion of his beloved passions.
Wakanda Zine is expected to become a collector’s items and will be available on a limited run.
As for Josephs, he tells Vogue he’s already looking to the future, hoping for even more melanin magic to hit the big screen, “I went to see the movie last night for the first time, and it was just so incredible to see people who look like me as superheroes. It wasn’t that way when I was a kid,” he said. “I just hope they make a sequel, so that maybe I’ll get the chance to do this all over again.”
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