Weekend Reading Tip... Sebastian

As my face spends the majority of its hours illuminated by ever present and strangely comforting glow of a screen and countless words interjected by the odd figure whizz before my eyes, there are times when a change of pace is needed. It is at these moments that I reach for a favourite magazine. You would never know that print media was struggling in our household. There are magazines everywhere. Both of us spend far too much time and money in newsagents. Granted there are occasions where a purchase will be enthusiastically flicked through only to be put down, then filed away and forgotten, however, over the last few years there has been a shift in publications that deserve to be savoured, kept and rediscovered all over again. Hostem's in house bi-annual publication Sebastian is proving to be just that. Having finally picked up my own copy on Monday I've been reluctant to put it down.

Edited by Vague Paper's very own Matthew Holroyd, the debut issue is considered, curious, creative and intelligent. It is full of surprises. It features a conversation between artisan baker Lily Vannili and caterer Margot Henderson, a piece on New York architecture, interviews with Maureen Paley and Geoffrey B Small, advanced photography from Asger Carlsen and even a piece on horse riding penned by Katie Price. However, the real highlight of the issue is the Casely-Hayford piece.

Since its inception, Casely-Hayford have explored the intriguing duality of English sartorialism and British anarchy. It is a house that encourages change whilst being grounded in tradition. Their fifth collection, entitled The light through the darkness, consolidated their now signature style of relaxed masculine proportions, fused with an injection of London's cocktail of youth culture. Their partnership, a father and son collaboration has always intrigued me and undoubtedly sets them apart. The differences and synergy between them are far more complicated that they first appear. The Sebastian piece examines their creative dynamic and their influences very well indeed. From the influence of Joe's politician, lawyer and writer grandfather J.E Casely-Hayford MBE to the works of Roland Barthes and the rise of fast information, great insight is offered in to the House of Casely-Hayford.

"All men possess elements of anarchy in their character. Anarchy is not about the total absence of rules, but can also represent a unique expression of freedom created when conformity threatens identity, or convention restricts spontaneity; we fuse this expression of the free spirit with the very particular gestures of English sartorialism. The House aims to distil a multitude of ideas in to a simple pure entity. Innovation through tradition."

Joe Casely-Hayford

All clothes by Casely-Hayford. Photography by Edith Bergfors

I have focussed on one feature here but the issue is proving to be great read throughout. We are told that the next issue will have a different name and personality, and will be available in the autumn. In the meantime I'm happy for Sebastian keep me company.