By Bianca Mendez When news broke last week that SELF was shutting down its print publication, Ed got a bit teary-eyed and thought about all the other amazing titles we’ve lost over the years. Thankfully, SELF will still live on online, but there are other magazines that are only remembered through back issues and Tumblr pages. While every magazine once had a special place on newsstands, these are the ones we’d most like to see make a comeback. Fingers crossed!
Sassy (1988-1996)
In its time, Sassy broke out from the crowd of teen magazines, covering controversial issues, like teen pregnancy and STDs. Founded by Jane Prattm Sassy was blunt, smart, and thought-provoking, which is why so many people loved it. Heck, there’s books and Tumblr pages dedicated to the teen magazine. It definitely paved the way for today’s crop of magazines and today you can score an issue on Ebay for a hefty sum. Sassy, gone way too soon.
Teen People (1998-2006)
If you were a teenager in the early 2000s, you have vivid memories of running home from school to get your hands on the newest issue. A magazine intended for both boys and girls, Teen People was the ultimate go-to for celebrity gossip, fun quizzes, and real-life issues like abortion and mental illness that were never sugar coated. To this date, it was Time Inc.’s most successful magazine launch. Plus, the covers always looked super fun. Who can forget that Nick and Jessica cover?
CosmoGirl (1999-2008)
Cosmopolitan’s younger sister publication, CosmoGirl, was founded by editor Atoosa Rubenstein who mindlessly scribbled girl in lipstick on a copy of Cosmo — and a new magazine was born. CosmoGirl had its beauty, features, and celebrity content, but what stuck out was Project 2024, a program where they interviewed high-profile women like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi to inspire young girls to achieve their wildest career dreams. The editors got the name after figuring out that they’re youngest readers would’ve been 35 by 2024, old enough to run for President (a documentary film was even made about a few of ’em.) Sadly CosmoGirl folded in 2008. Here’s hoping those CG!’s still run for office!
Lucky (2000-2015)
Lucky mag will always have a special place in our hearts.When it launched it 2000, it was a breed of its own, blurring the lines between advertising and editorial like what e-commerce sites are doing today. The magazine was like your best friend telling you about the awesome designer sale she hit up and scored this awesome new bag, always showing the hottest buys of the season. Sadly despite its strong efforts to stay relevant in the age of digital, it was shut down for good in 2015.
Jane (1997-2007)
Also, created by Jane Pratt, Jane was supposed the fill the empty hole that once was Sassy. Geared towards women between 18-24, the magazine ran edgy cover lines like Sassy, but never quite lived up to its predecessor. It folded in 2007, two years after its founding EIC left.
Fitness (1992-2015)
Fitness came into the scene in 1992 providing the lowdown on workouts, nutrition, and weight loss advice. In 2015, the magazine merged with Shape, but FitnessMagazine.com still lives on.
YM (1932-2003)
YM was the grandmother of teen magazines, introduced in 1932 when two magazines, Calling All Girls and Compact, merged. In seven decades it has gone through three title changes; “Young Miss”, “Young & Modern,” and finally “Your Magazine.” In the early 2000s, the magazine had a Sassy-esque vibe partly due to the arrival of Christine Kelly as EIC who used to work at Sassy. Sadly, in 2003, the magazine folded.
Bianca Mendez is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who has contributed to Refinery29, TeenVogue.com, Bustle and other publications. Her perfect day in NYC consists of trying the latest fitness class followed by a night of wining and dining. Check out more of her work at biancammendez.com, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
This New York City Law Could Impact Your Next Salary Negotiation
»