PMR: X Summer Mini Issue

The second issue of X magazine was released during our very own fashion weekend last summer, which explains the reasoning behind the lack of reviews on the blog itself. As the magazine front sits quietly on Stardoll, I decided to being you all a more recent past magazine review post, as I delve into the details of X's Summer 2013 edition. Remember that in a magazine, instead of putting the page numbers, I will use brackets. The cover is [1/20]. This magazine contains 20 pages.

Cover: 7.5/10 I'm almost a text critic when it comes to magazine covers on Stardoll. As important as the cover graphics is, I think interesting and well set out titles can really make or break the opening page. In this case, the cover is strikingly simple. The pops of blue from the poncho and the yellow from the text really shine through on this almost mediocre graphic for X.  

Graphics: 8/10 All the graphics in X are undeniably pretty top notch, although we weren't treated to particularly many this issue. The obvious stand out is the Be You graphic [18/20], which really highlights Jack's phenomenal artistic presence. Although this is a mini issue I was still slightly disappointed with the lack of graphics in the issue, with only 5 full graphics making it to the final cut.

Writing & Articles: 10/10 Although the graphics are stellar, the articles are where X really stands out from most other magazines of the current time. Articles and writing have become far less popular in the modern day Stardoll magazine and X is one of few magazines to keep the original tradition running. There are multiple articles on Mexican fashion, Frida Kahlo and feminism, which are all written wonderfully. 

Editorials: 7/10 I enjoy the trend report shown in the magazine, but I feel that it does not work well with the edition only being a mini issue. In a full magazine I would be fine with it, but in the mini it leaves me wanting more - which I suppose is what every magazine intends to do, so props for that. Other than the trend report there are no other editorials. It's a mini issue sure, but please give me some of that graphical goodness!

Creativity: 8.5/10 On a whole I thoroughly enjoyed the Mexican inspired route Jack decided to go down for the issue. The bright colours really worked, and it was an interesting blend of simplicity and brights. I particularly enjoyed the colour blocking used on page [16/20] as it reinforced both the magazine's theme and the strong ideas in the article. 

How did this magazine score?

 41 out of 50 points, at 82% or B+

Final Comment: On a whole this issue of X magazine achieved what it set out to do, but I feel that not every aspect works with the concept of the mini issue and a few extra pages to beef up the magazine slightly would have made a huge difference to the overall feel. "More editorials" is not usually a comment I could imagine myself giving to this particular magazine so I am sure that this flaw is a mere one issue thing which will be corrected more than happily in the next issue. 

TTT, what did you think? Agree or disagree? Comment!

A HAUTE REVIEW

On October 12th the fourth issue of Haute Magazine, owned by Lindsey (lovegossip4life), was released for the entirety of the Stardoll world to see. With Kirsten Well, the owner of The Stardoll Lookbook gracing the cover it was bound to be an interesting issue, but how does Haute Fall 2013 really rank?



On first glance, the issue is evidently stunning, but as you go into more depth the pages seem to become more and more repetitive. The same background of the New York skyline is continually used throughout the issue, and though cohesion is a must, it's also very important to have a variation of shoot locations and colours to keep a good balance between both so the issue is interesting to read, or just glance, through.

The cover is exceedingly well made and Kirsten looks like a true 'blogging beauty' in all of the cover girl shots chosen and created by Lindsey. In fact, all of the graphics in this issue of Haute were up to an a pretty solid standard. Flawless? Not quite, however there is no denying that they are a pretty strong bunch of shots. My one problem though is the lack of themes; everything is inspired by the city theme which makes it hard for anything to stand out.

The articles, although admittedly wonderfully written, are just too long. Although interesting articles are a must in a magazine it must be appreciated that the majority of people prefer shorter, easier to read, articles to sift through. Personally, I would try to keep a few longer articles mixed in with some snappier articles of smaller length.

All in all, an evidently beautiful and well thought out issue of Haute which still manages season after season to deliver. There are a few small points preventing Haute from reaching it's true peak however, and I believe that once these are tackled, Haute could be well on it's way to a near flawless issue.

★★★★★★★★

PMR: Glamour Magazine

*PMR - Past Magazine Reviews*
I continually find myself wondering whether the old and original magazines of Stardoll, such as Style, Eternity and Fierce, really were better than the few magazines that stand in the current day Stardoll. Today, magazines from the hey day of Stardoll will be put to the test to see if they really are that much better than the issues of today.

Glamour Magazine, owned by Dodence_bt, was a magazine that began in March 2009, with 2 issues to date. Today, the second 'Louis Vuitton' themed issue will be ranked, reviewed and rated to see if it comes up to scratch with the other magazines around of then and now.

Click the image to view the magazine

Graphic Design: 8/10 There's no denying that Mario is an incredibly talented graphic designer, and he still was back almost four years ago in July 2009. There is still room for improvement of course, and you can see quite a difference in quality between the warrior photo shoot and Louis Vuitton editorial. The shading on doll's faces is phenomenal, which is a part of graphics many forget about now. Roi World and I-dressup hairs are used in the magazine, alongside regular Stardoll poses, but this does not take away from the overall beauty of the design.  

Fashion Editorial: 10/10 Glamour Magazine has content and that somehow seems to be missing from almost every magazine around in the current day. There's an interesting article alongside the warrior styled shoot and three beautiful Louis Vuitton graphics to go with the article. The ideas are good and the theme of Louis Vuitton is prominent throughout the entire magazine. 

Trends Shown: 10/10 As well as the two articles and shoots from previously in the magazine, there is also a three page spread on current trends, including fringed clothes, jewels and and boyfriend jeans. Not only is there a spread there is also articles on each of the different trends which is an added bonus to those who enjoy content as well as pretty graphics.

Writing Style: 9/10 The writing style is great however proof reading and checking the articles wouldn't go a miss as there is some punctuation mistakes, which can easily be found in most magazines however. I particularly liked the 'Warrior In You' article and found myself continuing to read through it all, which isn't something I tend to do with current magazines. The Louis Vuitton article was also interesting but the covergirl interview lacked excitement and was based too tightly on LV.

Overall Layout: 8/10 The ratio of one graphic to one article is good as it gives an equal amount of content and graphics although I would have possibly liked a few more graphics, or an additional editorial, on the side. I also found the same colour of background continually being used slightly boring as there are other ways to keep things cohesive without using the same background.

How did this magazine score?

45 out of 50,  at 90% or A-