The Face Issue 26

The final print issue feat. Robyn, True Whitaker, Sophia Stel and many more.

The first ever issue of The Face appeared back in 1980, establishing itself as the original style magazine. It relaunched in 2019 after a 15 year hiatus, and announced its closure with a sudden Instagram post last week. A closure this sudden has certainly felt abrupt, particularly given the recent launch of the magazine’s Chinese arm and the lack of explanation—it’s an announcement that has been met with an outcry of grief as well as a sense of confusion. And with no mention of its demise in the issue, clearly nobody on the edit team knew what was coming.

Following a reshuffling of the editorial masthead that saw longstanding editor-in-chief Matthew Whitehouse step down after the previous edition, managing editor Jessica Heron-Langton sits at the helm of this final issue. The likes of electropop musician Sophia Stel and singer-songwriter Robyn are cover stars—shot by long-time contributors David Sims and Juergen Teller, respectively. 

The issue opens with the usual columns directing readers towards fresh talent to know about and listen to, starring Scouse rapper Esdeekid and low fi lowcaps American duo ‘ear’. Elsewhere, a trip to Clacton in Essex—Nigel Farage’s constituency—and an account of his rise into mainstream politics penned by his 2024 Labour opposition continues the magazine’s history of political coverage, while an interview with actress Naomi Watts and her daughter Kai, and a candid conversation with Tracey Emin maintain the celebrity quotient.

The Face: born in London in 1980, the original, definitive style magazine. Reborn for 2019. Endless discovery for a new generation.

Launched by Nick Logan in London in 1980, The Face is the original, definitive style magazine. From the beginning it was a cultural trailblazer, covering music, fashion, film, TV, society, politics and global current affairs. And it covered them with invention, innovation, wit and class – and not to mention with groundbreaking graphic design. The gallery of cover stars is as eclectic as it is iconic: from Kate Moss to Alexander McQueen, New Order to The Stone Roses, Grace Jones to David Beckham, Beyoncé to Björk. The talent behind the stories was legendary, too, as the magazine worked with the best writers, photographers, stylists and designers in the world. The Face didn’t only report on the culture. It became the culture. For over 25 years, The Face was at the heart of British and international creativity.

Now, in 2019, The Face is reborn. A new team with a new vision for a new age, but proudly retaining the magazine’s founding vision and core principals. A forward-thinking, multi-platform title staying true to Logan’s pioneering spirit. The Face will continue to champion fresh talent in music, fashion, TV, film and beyond; fly the flag for provocative, rigorous, long-form journalism; and celebrate the best in style and graphic design. It is a space for immersive, dynamic, multi-faceted stories. It is a space for fun, passion and enthusiasm.