When I was young and very impressionable, Follow Me was the Australian fashion magazine. Photographs by the talented Grant Matthews (e.g. above) and super styling by his then wife Nicole Bonython ensured that Follow Me was just that little bit ahead of Vogue Australia. We didn't have our own Harper's Bazaar or Marie Claire then, and sweetly cool original titles like Frankie and Peppermint were but a glimmer in their mother's eye.The Polachrome fluoro cover above brings to mind M.I.A.
Of course inside there are some things that seem odd now, like all-white oversized Japanese fashion shot in a surgical theatre, an ad for Klorane Mink Oil Shampoo (no, really) and plenty of models dragging on cigarettes.
10 comments:
Oh, I loved Follow Me. I think about it every now and then with nostalgia. I remember that cover.
You've got a good memory, Jo! It's a shame it's not still around, Australia's first 'cool' magazine, or in my memory anyway...
Oh shivers, I think I vaguely remember this. Just scanning your blog for images right now :)
I used to illustrate for it back in the day. Nice to see people still remember it. I really like your illustrations by the way.
Pamela Woods
Wow Pamela! I can imagine that I would have looked at your illustrations in awe. At the time, Follow Me was the coolest thing around. I have a few issues still...now I hope I come across one that includes your work. Thank you very much for commenting and it's so lovely that you like my work too!
I adored FollowMe!... a magazine that was way ahead of its time. I remember when I first bought it thinking it was an overseas glossy because it was so sophisticated, and was so surprised and proud to discover it was a Aussie publication! I still have all my issues from the '80s (including the wild moving 'hologram' cover of Kelly Emberg in 1985.) andd I don't think I'll ever part with them.
Thanks Eddi! Yes, Follow Me was COOL, and I believe it was the first ever Australian magazine to be that. Frankie is cool too, but in a very different ironically- daggy way. My how times have changed, despite (ironically!) that Frankie would probably reference some of the looks and styling of the 80's Follow Me.
I am the daughter of Bruno Giagu & Victoria Ross, who created Follow Me, and you have all made me cry... thank you for remembering their creative vision with so much love. They are two of the most incredible, and inspirational people I will ever know; as were the wonderful team who worked with them.
Allegra.xx
www.AllegraGiagu.com
Hi everyone :-) I am the daughter of Victoria Ross & Bruno Giagu, the creators of Follow Me, and all it's umbrella publications. Thank you so much for all your loving comments and memories of their incredible vision. They still are two of the most inspirational and creative people I will ever know, and it has brought a tear to my eye to know that so many others feel the same way, and that they, and their amazing team touched you with their talent and devotion.
With live,
Allegra. xx
www.AllegraGiagu.com
Hi Allegra,
How amazing to be descended from such creative talents!
It's a shame that there isn't more on Follow Me on the internet -- maybe you could rectify that situation in some way? I would be happy to delve into my collection of Follow Me magazines and do another post one day too.
Great to hear from you!
Sandra
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