Magazines in a time of coronavirus: The Skirt Chronicles

Inspired by MacGuffin, which bases every issue around one seemingly mundane object, we asked the editors of our favourite magazines to share an object that brings them comfort. Touch now carries the risk of contagion, but strangely, that new reality has made the physical contact we do have — and the physical things we surround ourselves with — feel more precious. Up today, Sarah de Mavaleix, Sofia Nebiolo and Haydée Touitou of The Skirt Chronicles tells us what’s giving them hope.

“We make The Skirt Chronicles in Paris where the three of us live. We usually meet every Monday at one of our apartments to make this publication we hold dear to our hearts. Since the confinement was declared by the French Government on March 16th, these Monday meetings are maintained. Only, they are not held in person. Just like everybody else, via the magic of our modern age devices, we keep on making a magazine à distance.

We discuss current affairs, whether illusory or not. Copies are still being shipped as much as possible, contributors are sending ideas, and Volume VII is somehow somewhat in the works. So the magazine itself is the object that we keep returning to during this time; the act of making a magazine is allowing us to dream and look forward.

Hearing one another’s voices each Monday is a nice way to start what is supposed to resemble a week, five working days followed by two leisure days. We try to remember: we don’t have to make the most of a pandemic. We just have to stay safe to protect others and help in any way we can.”

— Sarah de Mavaleix, Sofia Nebiolo and Haydée Touitou