Going, going, gone Dutch. (Dutch)

Member Name: peel.rebekah

Product:	Dutch
Date:	26/02/01 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent subject coverage

Disadvantages: Price

Dutch is published in the Netherlands (hence the name), with departments in Italy and France, but is internationally contributed to by a plethora of talented journalists and photographers.

I first discovered it in an out of the way book shop in Paris; Being a little adventurous, I gave it a whirl, and was decidedly elated when, article after article, I found I was not being condescended to. The articles were so well written, so diverse and informative that I instantly added Dutch to my list of 'must reads'.

Gone are the pseudo-cool layouts of yesteryear's Sky and Face, vanished are the glib commentaries of how to BE; This is a magazine for grown ups (at last), that want to stay in touch with culture and appreciate knowledgeable writing.

The main topics covered are as normal: Fashion, music, art, film, sport. Yet the approach is non-biased, thoroughly researched and refreshingly international; You may well find an article about a Glasgow School of Art student, next to an essay on the arrival of consumerism in Russia, next to an interview with the last star of the American cult movie scene.

The layout is simple; Easy on the eyes, a good sized, frank font is used throughout, more in the style of an art magazine than a lifestyle one. Articles are clearly indicated on the front pages (not too many, mind you), and the magazine is a healthy two hundred pages long (approximately).

The photography is refreshingly good; A lot of excellent black and white work that we don't tend to see too much of these days, and fashion pictures that actually show you the clothes (what a novel idea). The illustration does not have the cool restraints that magazines like Wallpaper have; Again, originality and high standards.

There is, however, one major drawback to this magazine - the price: In England it is available for ten pounds (the last time I bought a copy in London, that is). In France you can pick it up for
80ff (about 7.50), and in the Netherlands at 12.50 f (don't ask me what the conversion on that is).

If you add up the cost of all the other magazines you buy per month, and then divide by two (as Dutch is only bimonthly for the moment), I think you'll come to the same conclusion as me: This covers all the bases that other magazines do (and more), informs you more coherently and will impress your friends (a lot). Buy it.

Summary: