[Concierge Column] A magazine made just for you | Magazine Concierge Kusumi

UMEDA TSUTAYA BOOKS has many concierges and sales staff with specialized knowledge in their respective fields. This is a column corner that respects the individuality of each staff member, and covers not only the genres they are in charge of, but also books, daily life, and even things that don't fit into the above. The tenth installment is brought to you by magazine concierge Kusumi.

A magazine made just for you

The best way to spend a day off is to relax at home and read magazines. The other day I got my hands on issue 16 of "UNION".

"UNION" is a magazine launched by Hiroyuki Kubo and Chiharu Momo, stylists who work in fashion magazines. The magazine was launched in 2012 with Momo's desire to "create a magazine that allows readers to enjoy fashion and culture visually and stimulates the imagination of the viewer." The magazine focuses on beautiful photography.
In addition, the magazine is based on the concept that "beauty is always timeless," and since its launch, it has collaborated with artists from around the world and is sold not only in Japan but also overseas. For this reason, the text is in English (it was bilingual at the time of its launch), and this is also based on the desire to "provide a magazine that can be shared worldwide, like social media."

UNION has always pursued beauty and continues to spread its message around the world.
The long-awaited latest issue, released this year, is comprised entirely of personal work by 10 photographers. Every time I turn the page, I can't help but sigh at the beautiful photos. I'm always moved by discovering new works. I think it's only possible with a magazine to enjoy the work of so many photographers in one volume.

In addition to this "UNION", many other magazines are published every day. When I see many magazines while preparing the sales floor every day, I am reminded that the creators are trying to convey their thoughts to readers in the form of a "magazine" through trial and error.

The magazine UNION, which we introduced this time, has changed its cover and logo many times, but has been renewed to be even better. Also, fashion magazines that are released every month often feature the same items from the same brands. However, the reason why the same items look completely different depending on the magazine is because of the way each magazine presents them to its readers.

Editors, stylists, photographers, and many other people were involved in creating this magazine over a long period of time, and I strongly feel that it is not aimed at a large number of people, but at "you" who looks forward to it. I hope you will enjoy the process of how a magazine changes and the differences between each magazine.

PROFILE｜MagazineConcierge Kusumi

Born in 1989 in Tokushima Prefecture, he moved to Osaka when he went to university. When he was in the early grades of elementary school, a large bookstore opened in his neighborhood, and he began to visit the bookstore almost every day for about six years. He also got information about everything he was interested in, such as fashion, movies, music, architecture, and design, from magazines, and naturally became fascinated with the fun and appeal of magazines and the advertisements they contained. He majored in media information at university, and after graduating he worked at an advertising agency. Even there, he was unable to leave magazines, and spent his days introducing the magazines he had purchased to his colleagues and superiors. At the time, while researching the photographers of the photos featured in the magazines, he learned about TSUTAYA BOOKS and Magazine Concierge, and left the advertising agency. After working at other bookstores, he is still here today.

Books introduced this time

"UNION #16"

Purchase the product here

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