Apparently, they are issuing in a “new era in alternative magazines”.

Apparently, they are “jam packed with alternative goodness”.

Apparently, they have now reached number 15 in the list for Top 20 Fashion and Beauty magazines.

Not bad for a baby magazine barely off it’s mother’s nipple.

The big guns must be quaking in their boots.

Enter a team of up-to-stuff, committed individuals with lashings of media and modelling industry knowledge, and you have Solitude Magazine; a nationally distributed magazine that aims to swing open the doors to the world of the alternative, in all its forms, and in a personal and unique style.

Certainly the very first thing that grabbed my attention when I read the magazine cover to cover, (whilst sipping a Chardonnay at my three hour hair salon visit last week … yes…Lusher with a capital L), was that it lacks the plastic perfection that oozes out of many of the magazines listed above them in the Top 20, and instead, brings individuality, creativity and beauty in difference.

I’d much rather see photographs of men and women with real faces, interesting expressions, piercings, tatts, unique hair designs, fabulous colours, wearing amazing clothes and costumes.  I expect that the people who will buy this magazine will be like me…very utterly and completely over the plastic Barbie “I’m too cute for my tiny, undersized bikini with my perfect arse, tits and teeth” look.

So…we have a tick in the modelling and photographic box.

How about the content?

Solitude is definitely an all-rounder.  In the Dec/Jan 2012 issue, it offered up a fantabulous article on the “The Art of Burlesque” by Lila Luxx (definitely worth a read for all those chicks who have emailed me asking to explain what burlesque is), a really interesting review of what’s sizzling in the alternative music scene and an expose into the fashion world of Second Life (an online virtual world – and very VERY addictive).

On top of that, Solitude featured some articles on where to get some seriously scrummy wardrobe additions, upcoming events, model interviews, an Ask Our Psychic section (every fab mag HAS to have a psychic), and photo-rich coverage of local alternative events.  Solitude Magazine is definitely eye candy.  The photographs are divine, the models are unique and the fashion is … swoonable.

With a 20 year background in media myself, I rate it at the top of its genre and, genuinely only had two minor criticisms.

Firstly, many of the ads and events covered seemed to be slanted particularly towards a Brisbane (and maybe, Sydney) audience.  To be fair, I know that Solitude is new, are based in Brisbane, and that they do take advertisers from all over Australia, and of course, that there are only so many stories they can cover in one magazine. I’m just not sure that I felt that all the states were represented.  So much beautiful alternative loving-up goes on down here in the south…I hope they shine their light on us before too long.

Secondly, I would love to see a few more in-depth feature articles that dig right into the nitty gritty of the hidden zones of the vast and varied alternative lifestyles.  I’m pretty sure this is coming though, because Solitude’s Director, Daryl, gave me a sneaky hint into the next issue, pegging it as a bumper release focussing more on the ‘personal’ from people in the alternative industry.

Solitude certainly has it’s niche all sewn up, with it’s inaugural event, Brisbane’s Unleashed coming up next March, set to skyrocket the magazine even further up that Top 20 list.

It will definitely appeal to all those seeking a mag tailored to the ever-growing love for all things Kustom Kulture, pin up, rockabilly, steampunk, vintage, peculiar, offbeat and dare I say it again…alternative.

Available online and at newsagencies nationally, (and about to launch in New Zealand), this is a part of the print media that is carving a permanent piece of rainbow-coloured turf out of all that black bitumen currently available.

Solitude Magazine can be found at www.solitudemagazine.com (True Blood fans unite and dance in vampiric rejoicing as soon as page loading begins) and on their facebook page.

For Angelica Minx readers who want to love up some Solitude, you can purchase it directly from them at $7.00 a copy including postage if you buy directly from their site AND within 14 days of this post.  Be sure to mention that you are an Angelica Minx reader to obtain the deal.

Note: Angelica Minx was not paid, coerced or promised anything for this post.  She did receive a copy of their magazine to review but, in the future, she will also accept expensive bottles of bubbles and maybe some Mayan Gold chocolate for good measure.

All photographic credits go to Solitude Magazine and D.H.A Media Group Pty Ltd.