An Ongoing History of The IN Mag by Editor-in-Chief, Isis Nicole
Photographed by Ji Yeo
Photography & Production: Ji Yeo
Writing & Styling: Isis Nicole
Being tasked with writing my own story, I’m letting loose with the spirit of what led me here in the first place—inspiration! Throughout this intimate reflection, you will see details about my struggles, strategies, and success as founder and editor-in-chief of IN MAG. So without further ado, please enjoy the ongoing history.
IN MAG Issue 1 (2013)
The first issue of The Isis Nicole Magazine (IN MAG) was themed “Inspired.” Looking back, I was undeniably supported by niche communities on Tumblr, which really helps—if you ask me—when you’re creating from home.
I set a goal to raise money on Gofundme and people—from the communities I mentioned earlier—contributed as much as they could to help make the first issue happen. I actually did not reach the set goal amount, however, I remained focused and resourceful: deciding to write the entire magazine myself, looking into low-cost printers, and emailing bloggers for press.
Thinking back to that time, I remember having this impression that editors needed mountains of magazines to ship, but that actually might have been wasteful given I was just starting out. This is how I ended up using cloud-printing services, even still today.
On the cover of issue 1 of IN MAG is jazz singer-songwriter Lili K. She’s based in Chicago, and at the time was known for her vocals on Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap, “Good Ass Intro” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid and Kiara Lanier.
Also featured in issue 1 of IN MAG is Britney Tokyo (who would go on to become a celebrity nail artist for Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and CL), director Ayla Montgomery (who filmed the first nail art documentary called Nailgasm), and avant-garde jazz musician Sam Gendel who I learned of through the R&B group called, inc.
During this issue, I was out of college and working as a florist in Chicago. I didn’t know a network of photographers yet so I sent out disposable cameras—that my mom helped me get—then assigned each feature different subjects to capture for their photo diary.
My friend at the time, Helen Koh, contributed as the graphic designer. She later went on to work at major architectural publication.
I think issue 1 of IN MAG came out really cool, and I got the idea to send out disposable cameras from a men’s skateboarding magazine that I enjoyed. I say this because it’s a connection not many people consider given the vibrant-feminine editorials.
IN MAG Issue 2 (2014)
By the time issue 2 of IN MAG released, I was still attempting to follow—what I thought was—an industry standard of a magazine life cycle. This is the first and only spring/summer edition during our super short-lived bi-annual run. Its theme was “IN CROWD” playing on my name, Isis Nicole, and this was the first double cover for IN MAG which stars, DJ Mess Kid, by way of Detroit and rapper, Gita, by way of East Oakland.
The idea was to showcase talent that I liked in music, fashion, and photography. I was still sending out disposable cameras—and also thankfully reaching out to photographers and writers for submissions—as it came together. During this issue, I was working for my divorced aunt and uncle as an au pair for a short-while, in Chicago. It was turbulent and uncomfortable, but I had managed to still find a way to try new things for IN MAG.
If someone were to ask my greatest superpower, it’s that I’m able to run rings around setbacks. I might cry but when it’s all said and done, I solve problems. I’m also not afraid to give different things a go, even if it’s not perfect. I was experimenting more with colors and full-length interviews in this issue that Damon Shuler contributed to as graphic designer and in making this issue, it taught me an important lesson on resilience as well as pace.
IN MAG Issue 3 (2014)
The theme of each issue of IN MAG originates from firsthand notes in my life. I’ll be going through something or learning from something, and try to connect with people who are open to exploring personal discoveries based on the decided theme.
This was when our creative director, Hannah Black, joined. We met by chance at a Glossier activation that I got to help with in Chicago. I remember how the two of us were so shy during our first work meeting at a cafe called Wormhole, which was actually nowhere near our apartments. When we finally started to open up to each other as friends, we learned that we lived close to each other and decided to start working from our places. Soon after, this is how I met our lead editorial photographer, Hannah Siegfried, who was Black’s college BFF and former roommate.
During this issue, I thought I was “In Love” at the time (that’s the title of its theme)—and I joke that I was wrong because of the immature and unhealthy nature of that relationship. But in reality, I actually learned to fully love myself a year after its release.
Another funny thing about this issue—and my life connected to it—is that I thought that I had made it when this launched. I felt like this because this was the first magazine from IN MAG’s archive that was sold in a store.
After my shift, while I was at this point, 25, relying on SNAP, and working at Chipotle, I had managed to successfully stock IN MAG next door at my favorite record shop Reckless Records in Chicago’s Loop, and immediately put in my two weeks notice the following day.
While a small community of three people were supportive by buying the magazines at the shop, $75 was not enough to cover rent. To this day, I’m not sure what my thought process was on how I was going to survive! But looking back, I’m glad I had the sense to find a new job at a local market and also started to dog walk on the side.
Because of my low-income, I qualified for food stamps, which was super necessary at the time since I had lost so much weight. I was down to 90 pounds—living off of my free meal per shift at Chipotle—before the new jobs. So being able to buy food really helped me in process of recovering from dietary routines that weren’t helpful to me. I was taking necessary steps to show myself love.
On the cover of issue three of IN MAG is singer-songwriter/actress, Daryn Alexus, who’s project “Green” on Soundcloud made me fall in love with dreaming big again. I was able to connect important dots and really push for growing IN MAG during this time of its release.
IN MAG Issue 4 (2015)
And with that came the theme of “Independence.” I was free of a lifestyle and a relationship that would have held me back. Through sending hundreds of pitches over emails, IN MAG was beginning to catch attention from press including Nylon, Asos, and Broadly during the release of issue 4.
As things joined together, issue 4 of IN MAG became our second double-cover featuring Babe Simpson and Babeo Baggins from the non-binary rap group Barf Troop. Our mutual Tumblr friend, Charlotte Rutherford, photographed this cover in Los Angeles, and it also features stories with singer / actress, Abra, fashion designer, James Flemons, (creator of Phlemuns), and director, Milah Libin.
Many of these names would return for a full circle moment at IN MAG—which I will touch on as the story continues. I just want to share—because I can’t say this enough—how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to look back on where many of us started and to celebrate where we all are now.
In Chicago, Reckless Records, Quimby’s, and Women & Children First sold IN MAG issue 4, and we celebrated with a late launch party at Eastroom during winter 2016. We even produced a video campaign for this issue in London directed by, Oshaya, starring models, Donnika Anderson, and Nicole Carvalho.
Seriously, if there’s anything you want in life—and you have the time and headspace to create an opportunity—go for it and don’t ever stop.
IN MAG Issue 5 (2016)
We’re playing with the big boys now! “Infinity” represented the countless mornings and nights spent coordinating editorials on multiple timezones. It also reinforced that our dreams would come true. At this time, I had said that I wanted the world to recognize our full worth, and just as we had worked toward, we were able to share IN MAG’s story to a larger audience.
In my personal life, I had just moved from Chicago to be back home with my mom in California—and it wasn’t an easy transition at first. I was, 26, and really lost in terms of adulthood and finances. I felt like I didn’t know how to pull myself toward stability. I started nannying again, and thankfully—this time—it was for a family who truly supported my wellbeing. Because of this, I also learned how to be a better sister, daughter, woman, friend, and editor—through this work experience which would continue for another two years—before moving to Brooklyn with my fiancé.
Issue 5 of IN MAG stars singer / actress, Abra, on the cover, and it was photographed by our friend, Anna Fearon, in London. Fearon would soon after travel to visit us in California, where we celebrated our launch party at a gallery in Oakland. There’s footage on our Instagram if you want to see us having fun with karaoke.
The idea of this issue was a callback to those who’ve been featured—sort of like a where are they now meets what’s to come. We also recreated portraits from the past, explored the lives of a boy band, and did a fragrance collection based on zodiac signs.
Another cool thing from this issue is that Abra says it’s one of the best sets she’s been on to date, and even turned our editorial into a t-shirt sold at Urban Outfitters. We also got two T.V. show offers (which didn’t end up happening) but it was really exciting to do a casting call and learn more about cable networks. Again, anything is possible when you’re able to focus and follow your dreams.
IN MAG Issue 6 (2017)
With our spot-on history of capturing standout talent, it made sense that we were starting to feel “Incredible” for the release of IN MAG issue 6. This was a double cover starring singer-songwriter, Rina Sawayama, photographed by our friend, Isaac Kariuki, and cgi influencer, Lil Miquela, who was created by Trevor McFedries and Sara Decou. I suppose it’s also important to mention that this was Lil Miquela’s first magazine cover—which released around the time when she was still a digital mystery. No big deal.
We celebrated our launch of IN MAG issue 6 at the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles which felt mind-blowing. Lil Miquela made a playlist for us for the party that was DJ’d by our former cover star, Mess Kid—and the entire journey leading to that night was legendary. Thinking back, I remember coming down with a sickness at the party because I just couldn’t fathom our progress in real time. So many people traveled from cities far and wide to be with us in Los Angeles, including some of our previous contributors.
It was a dreamy time. I had every intent to feel like a boss by wearing this royal blue power wrap dress and floral print heels at the start of the event—and at some point in the night, I had to take off my heels to collect myself emotionally. I got in my head at the party! There are times when I’m in the process of making things happen, and imposter syndrome tries to take the wheel. So during those spells, I quite myself down and take a moment to remember how incredibly fortunate we are to be able to do what we love.
If you’re a creator, I think it’s important to find ways to get in the headspace that allows you to fully enjoyed your accomplishments. For me, taking a few minutes to reflect and give thanks to your community and yourself (almost like a prayer) often helps.
IN MAG Issue 7 (2018)
I never thought I’d live in New York City. The idea seemed so difficult given my finances, plus I wasn’t even sure if it was a place I desired to be. However, my fiancé had a lifelong dream of moving to New York City to get better at stand-up comedy, and so three years after we starting dating, we moved to Brooklyn.
Hannah Black had already completed our next double cover for IN MAG issue 7 with singer-songwriter, Ravyn Lenae, photographed by our friend, Elizabeth de la Piedra, in Chicago and—eight hours after my fiancé and I landed in our apartment in New York City—I went right to McCarren Park for our cover story with, Aaron Philip, photographed by our friend, Sophie Hur. By the way, this was both Philip and Lenae’s first magazine covers.
The New York Times was there with us. I got everyone pizza and waters. I remember being joined by a small audience of two men—seated on a nearby park bench—and they were completely mesmerized. That was a wholesome day spent shooting, and the first time in a long time that I had been on set.
Sometime in September, a month before our release of IN MAG issue 7, I was still looking for work and tried introducing myself to the NYC-based creatives I had been following. I went to a networking event at Club Monaco and met our friend and senior photo editor, Ji Yeo. At the time, she was taking photographs for the event and I couldn’t turn away from her because I thought she favored a K-pop star. She had no clue who I was talking about, but we still exchanged our contact information and actually didn’t reconnect with each other until NYFW 2019. She expressed interest in joining the IN MAG, and the rest is history in the making.
I developed an understanding of our editorial cycle, realizing that it takes nine months to put together our print, making IN MAG our real life baby. We officially stocked at MoMA PS1 and an “Increase” was happening —physically and spiritually—upping our game as an independent magazine.
Team Work: Ji Yeo, Isis Nicole, and Hannah Black
IN MAG Issue 8 (2019)
After a year of living in Brooklyn, I felt it was important to ask for “Invincible” determination. Facing rejection in the media job force, and having to nanny for a family who was callous—issue 8 of IN MAG became a tangible reminder that there is no room to give up or allow negative self-talk into my future.
Starring on the double cover of IN MAG issue 8 is singer-songwriter, Anajah Hamilton, and actress Jiwon Uhm, both photographed by our friend and senior photo editor, Ji Yeo. We celebrated its launch at The Break and this was our first sponsored event with the support of Flora Wines. At the party, we had a customized cake and these cool limited lenticular prints of Anajah’s cover that came with the issues. That was also our first time hanging out as a team (Black, Yeo, and myself) which I really can’t wait to have more of in the future when it’s safe to do so.
It took a lot of brainpower to make this come to light—and I have been hooked to this special type of challenge ever since. Pro tip if you plan to host an event in NYC, do not say whatever time until late unless you mean it. People will support you, no doubt, just make sure you take control of when something is planned to take place. I like to be in bed by 11 P.M. and learned the hard way!
All jokes and tips aside, this was an extremely exciting time that gave us authority to go big. We felt, as a team, that we could chase anything our minds could think of, so long as we faced life with strength. We explored chaos, purpose, and fame, considering the status of our covers, as well as ourselves—debuting our IN MAG issue 8 cover with Anajah on Rihanna’s lingerie brand Savage X Fenty—taking our dreams to a whole other level.
