smaller

Issue 20 of Small on line now

Issue 20 of Small is on line now.

 

issue 19 out now

behind the pages of issue no.19

Photo by Nick Prendergast

Here's a peek into a photo story in the works by Nick Prendergast and Aften Owens (stylist) for the next issue out at the end of August.

 

small photo shoots

We are heading to the beach this week to photograph our issue 18 fashion story. It's the same location we shot 'summer lovin'  in the summer of 2008. Check out these cute bikinis from Kayce Hughes our models will be sporting.

Kayce Hughes striped knit bikini

small shops- Specks and Keepings

Every issue I put together a couple of collages for the magazine. They always develop from an accidental find- stumbling across something that trips something in my imagination and makes me want to malke a whole page around it. Last issue I found Hillery Sproatt's embroidered dolls on Etsy and was inspired to put this Russian doll themed Small Something page together.Since the issue has come out,  Hillery has started up her own web shop which has much more than just her exquisite dolls.

I have now discovered that Hillery also makes beautiful fabric mobiles and etchings, and stocks in her shop gorgeous clothing for adults , lunch sacs, embroidered napkins, accessories and much more from some of her favorite makers and artists. The whole shop is now on my wish list. The whole shop is as perfectlly produced as the dolls that originally caught my eye.

Check out Hillery's shop, Specks and Keepings here and her blog here

small art and inspiration

I love this little story. I think it illustrates why we love making this magazine.

Anne Siems (who we invited to make the illustrated fashion story for issue 17) has just sent us this amazing painting she has made, inspired by the photo story in this issue of Small.-The shoot is Wilderness Queens- photographed by our photo editor Steve Visneau and styled by Christine.

The image from Wilderness Queens

Anne Siems' story in issue 16 of Small....it just occurred to me....maybe the little Bunny with the deer antlers was the subliminal inspiration for the Wilderness Queen antlers.  Also, maybe the earthy colors of Anne's paintings inspired the props by Sarah Tippetts.

small magazine issue 17 out now

the first issue of our fifth year!

small magazine- just thinking about the next issue.....

We started Small four years ago because at that point there was nothing similar available, and we really believed small scale and independent design deserved high quality editorial coverage and exposure. The  internet seemed to be the way we could be both free to read and, importantly for us, editorially independent. We are glad to see now that there are so many online magazines featuring childrens design. Two of our favorites are LMNOP and Papier Mache.

We have let ourselves take a little break this winter, the first one we have had from producing the magazine in over four years.  We live in different hemispheres and work long distance by email and phone, doing all the work at night after our children are asleep or early in the morning before work. We are so lucky we have such supportive families and for all the amazing work from the writers, artists, photographers, designers and stylists who have made Small possible by contributing their talent and their time. We are also lucky with our sponsors. Every one of them is a great independent designer or retailer, so please take the time to look at their sites.

We have some changes planned for later in the year but in the meantime we would love to hear what you want us to keep doing and covering in Small (...and Smaller too).

While you are waiting for the next issue of Small you can always look through our back issues!

The Spring issue should be in your inbox in about a month!

the winter issue

small magazine- behind the scenes

Some outtakes from the shoot we did in a black and white photo booth in a mall over the weekend. The shoot was inspired by Andy Warhols snapshots of the factory girls, like Edie Sedgwick, taken in photo booths.The girls in our story are best friends and had so much fun jumping in and out of the booth. They self directed the whole thing.

If you are into the photography and art made in photo booths here is a great website that documents just about everything that has ever gone on in one and even where you can find an old machine near you.

small art- Consumed, a live animation

Some images from the 'live animation'- a seven day installation project by ten artists I organised last week. This project was inspired by Small which, for us, has always functioned as a space for testing new creative ideas and to provide support, infrastructure and exposure to a range of projects and artists within a framework.

Each artist had the space, half studio and half display space, for 24 hours to do what they wanted with.  I hoped it would provide the impetus for community engangement, collaboration and creative experimentation without too much emphasis on outcome. The entire project was filmed by four video cameras and a still camera and will become an animated film in the future. You can see more pics on the project blog here and some more photos here and also some more info here.

projects pictured above by the artists:

Lachlan Tetlow-Stuart

Miso and Ghostpatrol

left: Hannah Bertram

right: Emma Van Leest

other artists involved: Isobel Knowles, Van Sowerwine, Holly McNaught and Madeleine Griffith.

small shops - Tada! Shop

 

Want to shop the pages of the current issue of Small? Hadley and Holly from Tada! Shop have created a shopping list of products featured in our Autumn issue. How cool!  Check it out!  

Small magazine- location scouting in Copenhagen

We are planning ahead and starting to organize a shoot for the winter issue in Copenhagen. Monika Elena recently sent us these location shots and is going to photograph the story. If you are a Scandinavian designer and would like to be featured in this shoot we would love to hear from you. Send us a link to editor(at)smallmagazine.net.

Summer issue of Small online now!

dresses by Hoochie Coochie and Mill & Mia photo by Grant Cornett

Behind the Scenes - underwater

Chris Plavidal shot some swimmers underwater for us for the summer issue. Hands down the best working conditions!

Summer issue of Small out this week!

Small photo shoots - a film!

Our New York editor Jasmine Astronomo-Berger just got back from styling Smalls' first video shoot and sent us these behind the scenes shots. Heidi Hartwig was the director,Shawn Regruto and Bob Geile did the camera work, the talented Elisa Jimenez did the art direction, Matt Kim and JIllian Leigh Federman were the awesome and tireless production crew and siblings Jovi and Torin Bosch modeled.

The team spent two days filming. The first day was at different locations all over New York City. The second day they headed up to Westchester area north of the city where they were lucky enough to be able to shoot at at a friends' gorgeous home- well...more like a mansion- they have named Bayberry.  We are so excited to include film in Small magazine for the first time.

Check out the whole film in the Summer issue out later this month.

Update: here it is City Mice in Small

Small Magazine - Behind the scenes

Inspired by all the floral prints designers are working with this season, I pulled tons of floral frocks and accessories and our fabulous prop stylist Sarah made masks adorned with flowers and leaves. Steven Visneau photographed these beauties in local vegetable garden here in Dallas. 

Check out the story in the summer issue of Small coming in May.

Small magazine - summer shoot

The models playing around on the beach before our summer shoot!  Look out for the whole story in the next issue of Small

photographer: Grant Cornett

Small magazine- location scouting

Location scouting for the summer issue- storm over the sea off the beautiful Mornington Peninsula

photos by Grant Cornett (check out his inspiring photo blog)

Small Magazine- issue 13 Spring!

Hooray! Issue 13 for Spring is out now.

The big news is we have moved onto our own super fast server so re-save your link to Small Magazine as the old link will no longer work. Best of all now Small wil be speedy to download anytime, anywhere.

We hope you enjoy it!

Small Type - Children's Book Illustrators

1st row: pages from Vincent & Bruno in France & The Second Best Dog in the World Illustrated by Binny

2nd row: pages from The Discontented Bear by Stephen Daoud

3rd row: pages from Hansel y Gretel by Patricia Metola

If you follow us over here at Small you know we are a bit obsessed with illustration. One of our favorite features in the magazine is where we commission an artist to illustrate a fashion editorial that we style with children’s clothing. Fifi Lapin did our first spread back in Winter 2007. We are always on the look out for artists for this feature. These three illustrators would be perfect on the pages on Small.

Small photo- location scouting

I love location scouting, it is basically just 'looking around' which is always one of my favorite things to do. These are from a beautiful afternoon drive looking for somewhere to shoot the spring story for the magazine (coming out later this week!)

Lavender and wheat fields near the lovely Daylesford outside of Melbourne. Photos by Grant Cornett. 

Small Magazine issue 12 Winter 2009

Behind the scenes - winter issue 12

We can't show you too much but here are a few pictures from a very wintery shoot shot by Christopher Auger-Dominguez. Jasmine Astronomo-Berger was the stylist and Dana Curtis did hair and makeup and Daisy Payero volunteered her time and talent to help to put together the set. You might remember Christopher's work as he was the photographer behind the super hero shoot  earlier this year.

Look out for the whole story in the Winter Issue coming out at the end of this week.

Photos courtesy of Aracelis Diamantis

small inspiration 30

Pilita Garcia

Benajamin van Oost in Make Magazine

Behind the Scenes - Issue 12 Winter Fashion Story

We spent a lot of time preparing for our photo shoot - hand making vintage fabric kites, flags, a tent and a raft - thanks to the creative vision of our prop stylist, Sarah Tippetts.  Look for the story in our next issue out next week.

Behind the scenes photos by Michael Mosley

 

Small draw coloring book update

Thanks to everyone who has bought the Small Draw Original Art Coloring Book over the last few months. There are still a few left so if you would like to pick one up you still can.

We recently made a donation with the proceeds raised through the sales of the coloring book to the micro loan foundation, Kiva. Kiva is an established online organization that lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur struggling for financial independence. Kiva makes loans all over the world so you can help someone in another country or in your own town. Even a small loan can can make a big difference. You can check out more about what they do here.

Small Magazine Issue 11 Out Now!

The newest issue of Small is out now.

last night

 

The event on Wedensday night at Kicokids pop-up shop and gallery. It was a great night. Thank you to all our readers who have purchased the coloring book and to Grant Cornett, Shiny Squirrel, Kumquat Cupcakery and of course Kicokids for making the whole thing possible .

Kicokids are going to be missed in Chelsea but their whole range is still available on line.

Behind the pages 6

We spent last week organizing the exhibition and setting up the great gallery space behind kicokids for their 'farewell to their pop-up shop' event. Small is launching the new 'Small Magazine Original Art Coloring Book'  and showing photography for Small by Grant Cornett.

If you are in New York and can make it down to Chelsea for the event there will also be drinks delicious treats from Kumquat Cupcakery, gift bags, an exhibit of art from the on-line gallery Shiny Squirrell and 75% off Kicokids'  beautiful items.

 

Small Draw Original Art Coloring Book out now!

Its finally arrived and it's beautiful! We want to say thank you to all the super talented artist who have contributed a drawing to the Small Draw project over the last ten issues.

Naomi Zouwer
Amy Ross
Kate Wilson
John W. Golden
Catherine Campbell
Jen Corace
Ryan Berkley
Kareena Zerefos (Kareena also contributed the lovely cover drawing.)
Julie Morstad
Mati Rose McDonough

Proceeds will be donated through Kiva - a mico-loan foundation empowering individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. www.kiva.org. Small draw original Art Coloring Book is available for purchase here - to collect or color!

Behind the Pages - Illustrated Fashion Editorial

In every issue of Small we commission an artist to illustrate a fashion editorial. For the Autumn issue we asked one of our favorite artists, Lisa Golightly, to illustrate one for us. We are big fans of Lisa's work and we can't wait to see what she draws for us!
We style about eight outfits and send them to the artist to illustrate in their own story. Here is a quick collage of a few items that will be featured in Lisa's fashion illustration. Check out the next issue of Small, coming out August 22nd, see the whole story! 

Kiki & Polly Website, Blog and Etsy Shop.

Embroidered pinafore by Megan Park Girl

Silver Headband by Le Tour De Force

Copper Moccasin by Flora and Henri 

Blouse by Lucky Wang

Sixpence Hat by Appaman

Grey Corduroy Pant by Wonderboy

Purple Skirt by Misha Lulu

Behind the pages 5

The last thing to do for the Summer issue was to return all the clothes from the last shoot we did. First off, down to lower Manhattan to return the boys clothing to Baby Susu and then to visit Saurette and return her beautiful tunics and dresses. Right next door to Saurettes' studio is Trinity Church, which has an unexpectedly green and leafy cemetery garden tucked into the high rises. It is a beautiful patch of history and quiet in downtown Manhattan. Next we got back on the train and headed up to Chelsea. It is always so fun to visit Kicokids pop-up store in the Chesea markets.  The  Kicokids store is a beautiful space and it is a double treat going there as the markets have some of the best produce and specialty stores in New York. We stopped for a while to watch the bakers at Amy's bread and then had to sample some of the best gelato in New York. Finally the nicest cab driver in NYC took us up to the garment district to return the last items. Pink Chicken is across the street from FIT so we after we dropped off her gorgeous dresses and swimmers and the kids had admired the teddy bears made in her original fabrics, we ducked in to see the graduate exhibition.
Now it finally feels like we are ready to start on the Fall issue!

Small Summer Issue no.10

Our Summer Issue is here!

Small Shops - Hijkids                                                                                               

In celebration of the new issue of Small Magazine Hijkids is offering 20% off of all apparel!
The designers behind Hijkids are a talented group of individuals-Dresses by Misha Lulu, tops by M.O.M. and beautiful handmade skirts by PlainlyJane-all designers you have seen in the pages of Small!

Hurry! Use code small20 upon check out to receive 20% off all apparel!  That's tops, bottoms & dresses!  Valid only on orders placed/shipped within the United States. Offer expires May 27th, midnight PST.

Hijkids

Behind the pages 4

Some photos from our final photo shoot for the Summer Issue of Small. Grant Cornett photographed five beautifully red headed kids in Redhook, Brooklyn. You can see the finished story in the latest issue of Small coming out tonight.

Grant Cornett

Small Sales- Ses Petits Mains                                                                           

  

Ses Petits Mains is having a sale on their beautiful Tallulah Dress. Enter the code Tallulah at check out for 25% off. Offer runs through to Memorial Day.

Ses Petits Mains

Small Magazine - location scouting 2

Out looking for urban wilderness in the city for an upcoming shoot.

Small Magazine - behind the pages 3

A few scenes from Sunday's shoot on the roof of Studio FourB in Harlem. It was a beautiful day with lots of kids, fun outfits and, unexpectedly, a fairly strong wind that kept blowing the backdrop over. New York based photographer Christopher Auger-Dominguez, managed it all in his super calm style and the shoot came out great. Christopher also shot our Small Threads photos last Winter and this story will be in the Summer issue of Small coming out May 20th.

Christopher Auger-Dominguez

                                                                                                          

Small Shops- Kicokids Sample + Blowout Sale

May 8th and 9th
Hrs: 10am - 7pm
Location: Kicokids Chelsea Market
75 ninth avenue (between 15th & 16th st)
NY NY 10011
www.kicokids.com

Small Magazine - behind the pages 2

We spent the day visiting studios and pulling clothes for the next Small Summer shoot. It felt like the first real day of Spring and it was so inspiring to see all these amazing designers.

Dumbo, Brooklyn - Kit + Lili studio overlooks the Brooklyn Bridge. We picked out bright pattered dresses and skirts in pinks and blues. Dropped into Pomme just up the street to see their lovely retail space and get some ideas for future stories.

Garment District, Manhattan - Next we went to Wovenplay's beautiful studio space for hand printed and hand finished imaginative play clothing. The century old Tinsel Trading Company is across the street so we picked up some trim to make accessories.

Back to Brooklyn, Park Slope + Prospect Heights- Winter Water Factory for original printed tees and dresses, then to Corduroy Kid to pick up the last few items. Monica Willis owns Corduroy Kid and has supported Small from the first issue. You can see the shoot Monica and her partner Hugh did for Small here. Finally, time for an ice cream at The Old Brooklyn Parlor.

Small Magazine - behind the pages 1

We just got back from several days in the Texan countryside shooting one of our Summer fashion editorials for Small. It was so much fun we forgot we were working!  Steven Visneau photographs for every issue of Small and also puts time in as our photo editor. You will see the real story in the next issue of Small...it looks quite different from the photos above!

Steven Visneau

Subscribe to Small and get the Summer issue free in your in box when it comes out!

P.S. We went to Glen Rose, Texas. It's about an hour south of Dallas. We were very lucky to have beautiful weather-84 degrees! (a few of you asked where we were on location)

Small Magazine- location scouting 1

  
We are heading to Southern Texas to photograph our Summer Fashion Editorial

with lots of sunshine, the country and a beautiful river as our backdrop. More

from behind the scenes coming soon...