Nataal Magazine, Issue 3

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• Magazine cover varies and particular cover cannot not be specified for order, but you can state your cover preference in the order notes at checkout and, if available, we will send that one.

Nataal’s debut print magazine captures the creative energy of Africa and its diaspora.

“This is a magazine for anyone who wants to engage with, be inspired by or learn about the abundant energy coming from visual arts, fashion and cultural communities inspired by the spirit of Africa,” says Helen Jennings, the editorial director of Nataal. Established as a digital platform in 2015 and growing to include exhibitions and now its debut print magazine, the Afrocentric showcase champions the artists who are shaping new global narratives around the continent, via fashion shoots, long-form writing and visual essays.

Packed with some of the continent’s most inspiring voices, the magazine presents visual explorations of some of the most pressing ideas resonating across Africa, including Afrofuturism, a desire to create new identities and strong ideas around representation.

In this issue:

For issue 3 of Nataal magazine, we asked our global community of contributors to explore what ‘beauty’ means to them. We’re wide open to the glorious diversity and personal promise held within this loaded word, and eager to celebrate the fine art of looking and feeling good. Whether it’s an attitude, a point of view, a sense of inner confidence, an expression of identity, or simply the power that comes with a slick of red lipstick, beauty can be experienced in myriad ways, and we’re here for all of that. So, from moving poetry and invigorating conversations, to uplifting visual tales that take us across five continents, the
stories you’ll discover here have set new standards.
This issue is also a special collaboration with London’s Victoria & Albert museum for its landmark show, Africa Fashion, which charts style on the continent from the independence era to the present day. Our dedicated end section of the magazine profiles some of the most vital next generation designers, photographers and artists shaping African creativity while our short film for the exhibition, Who Dey Shake by Lakin Ogunbanwo, captures the unadulterated joy to be had from donning your favourite outfit and dancing like everyone’s watching.
Two of our main cover stories feature the stellar musicians Moses Sumney and Ibeyi. Other interviews include musicians Obongjayar and Flowerovlove and fine artist Cassi Namoda while long reads delve into the metaverse, Afrofuturism and beauty disruptors in South Africa.
Plus, we have fashion stories from some of the most exciting photographers working today – Gleeson Paulino in São Paulo, Malick Bodian in Dakar, Axle Josef in Paris, Stig de Block in LA, Stephen in Accra, Nick van Tiem in Cape Town, Delali Ayivi in Togo and Kristin-Lee Moolman in Nairobi.