Ione Gamble is a twenty-year-old journalist and self-proclaimed Winona Ryder wannabe, and she’s just added Editor-in-Chief to her resume. The London native launched her internet sensation Polyester Zine this fall, dedicated to celebrating “trash culture” and all things girly, proudly bearing the slogan “have faith in your own bad taste.” I caught up with Ione after her successful launch party and asked her a few questions on Polyester and what it takes to start your own zine.
What is Polyester Zine all about?
Polyester is about celebrating culture that isn’t considered the ‘norm’ and celebrating the people within that community. I found that especially in the fashion industry ‘trashy’ or ‘over the top’ fashion is never analyzed in a critical way in the same way minimal fashion is. Polyester is also about building a community and respecting this community as being important and valid, and not just a commodity. I wanted it to be a space where people could discuss cute clothes or films but also more serious social and political issues.
What drove you to create your own publication? Have you always been interested in running a magazine?
I decided to start Polyester as I wasn’t satisfied with other fashion and pop culture publications and wanted to create content I actually had a vested interested in. I don’t think I’ve ever thought I would be able to run a publication! I’ve always seen magazines as big scary elitist things, which I suppose is another thing I wanted to try and change a bit.
Your launch party premiered this fall in London at Doomed Gallery, and it looks like you gathered a ton of submissions for the accompanying gallery exhibition! How did the event come together for you?
As soon as we launched with the website we decided we wanted to throw a party. We wanted to showcase all our incredible contributors so approached them to exhibit at the launch and then also put out an open call for submissions. [We had] a great response! We just wanted to showcase not only the zine, but [also] everyone who has been involved or has inspired us along the way.
Where do you see Polyester Zine going from here? Where do you hope it will go?
I honestly have no idea. Every day I’m surprised by the response! I’d like to be able to keep making the zines regularly and keep throwing events that bring everyone involved together. I’d also like to keep expanding the website but not quite sure how yet!
What advice would you offer to other girls interested in starting their own zines?
I think you’ll always be surprised at how supportive people are and how many people will want to be involved. I think the scariest thing is starting! So I’d say just start even if you feel silly at first.
Thanks, Ione!
Images courtesy of Polyester Zine’s instagram.
