Stephanie_J_NEET_PINKWORLD.jpgCall me old-school, but I am a big fan of real-life zines and magazines, j’adore.

So imagine my surprise when I developed a serious NEET habit. No, not for keeping things clean, because lets face it, that would be just crazy, but for the funk-da-crazing, awesome online magazine NEET.

It’s filled with cutester treats, super-cool fashion spreads and kick-ass people - go check it out, but not before you meet, Stephanie J, the editor girl behind your soon-to-be new favourite magazine!

Describe the girl behind NEET in 5 words…
ginger, fashion junkie, internet geek

What is NEET magazine exactly and how did it go from an idea in your head to a real life online mag o’ fabulousness?
As a member of many different internet communities (Flickr, Deviantart, Livejournal, Myspace) I came across so much fantastic independently-created fashion and design - from crafters in their bedrooms to the bright young things just out of fashion school to a team of designers brainstorming together for the love of it - and I wanted to bring them together into one showcase! The obvious answer, due to time, money and accessibility, was to create an online magazine - there weren’t hardly any online magazines then (back in 2005) so N.E.E.T. was the first of its kind.

How long does an issue take you to put together and how do you decide who you’re going to feature?
N.E.E.T. comes out quarterly, and each issue takes two months to put together. I am considering the possibility of going bi-monthly!
I receive emails from shops/photographers/writers etc who are interested in contributing, and use Flickr, Myspace and other sites as research tools. I know instinctively who will fit the aesthetic of N.E.E.T.

What inspires the look of the mag and style of the magazine?
The look of the magazine is reflected by the content, and vice versa. There’s a symbiotic relationship. I lay out, design and organise all the content in the magazine (I don’t have a team of people, unlike many of the readers assume!) and have experience in art and graphic design, so it comes naturally.

What rocks about being an Ed-girl?
Working from wherever you want and whenever you want; the sheer amount of people who love N.E.E.T. and want to be involved; the fact that N.E.E.T. is inspirational, not just aspirational like many other fashion magazines out there are.

What 5 tracks would be on a NEET soundtrack?
Anything indie - I reviewed Kate Nash in the N.E.E.T. unsigned ‘’Soundtrack to the Summer’ piece back in July 2006, before she was even signed!

What’s your style bible - book/mag?
I gain inspiration from everywhere - music, tv, film, media - but most inspirational are just people themselves - us! Streetstyle sites, fashion blogs from all over the world - showing people how they really dress.

How has setting up an online mag been for you - can you give us an insight please?
Fascinating and rewarding - the fact that N.E.E.T. has become a pillar of the independent fashion world is amazing. It’s definitely been worth it.

What’s a typical day in the life of SJ at NEET mag?
Researching on the internet, answering emails, coming up with themes for the new issue.

Quick fire round - what’s your fave:
colour: orange
magazine: Elle Girl (RIP), Happy Magazine (RIP), N.E.E.T. (forever!)
Place: the pub
City: New York/London

What’s your motto for life?
Love the life you live and live the life you love.

What advice would you give to wanna-be creative girls who want to set up their own online magazine?
Make sure you have a unique-selling-point - N.E.E.T. is obviously about independent (as well as vintage and eco-friendly) fashion. I don’t think there’s the market for ANOTHER magazine about Gucci and Prada, or Topshop and H&M, when the big publishers have been doing it for so long; the market is oversaturated.
Make sure you have the skills to create a magazine - graphic design talent, literacy, proof-reading etc. and make sure you have the time, passion and organisational ability to create a whole magazine.

The colour pink. Discuss.
I’m not a fan of Barbie pink - hot pink and fuschia all the way!

Now go and check out Stephanie’s online zine of awesomeness: www.neetmagazine.com