EVEN IF I say so myself, it is a great achievement for an independent magazine to achieve 50 issues, especially when 20 per cent of new ventures fail within just 12 months and 60 per cent of new businesses go bust within three years. Since launching in 2009, Glass Man has powered ahead, changing with the times, refining, and evolving its unique vision to celebrate its 50th issue.
Truly a golden moment.
Charlie Heaton. Photograph: Damien Fry
We asked some of our cover stars about golden moments in their lives. Former indie pop sensation and now Stranger Things star, Charlie Heaton tells us, “I remember the call I got when I booked my first movie. I was staying at a hostel called Banana Bungalow in LA. It was Shut In with Naomi Watts. I was walking down the street for 20 minutes calling everyone that I know, telling them. It blew my mind. I never thought I would be doing this.”
NCT DREAM. Photograph: Jiyong Yoon
While in our interview with K-pop band, NCT DREAM, RENJUN shares,“The most memorable thing I’ve done throughout my career would be having a concert. Through it, I was able to see how many fans we have and how much love and support they have been giving us. It was a moment I will never forget for as long as I live.”
His co-member HAECHAN adds: “When I think of a memorable moment, I think of the time we first achieved million-seller status. It was a moment of realising how much we had grown, but also feeling pressure at the same time. Regardless, I was very thankful for the love we received, and it was truly an unbelievable moment for me which inspired me to give back to our fans with better music and performances.”
And JAEMIN says: “I would say our concert! Though we’ve been slowly meeting our fans in person nowadays, we haven’t been able to have a concert. I vividly remember the cheers of our fans and their energy when we had our first solo concert, and I miss that so much.”
Andrew Scott. Photograph: Josh Shinner
For me, a golden moment would be editing this magazine which has allowed me the opportunity of featuring brilliantly talented people – the actors, artists, architects, musicians – we have covered in these pages. It is hard, perhaps impossible, to pick favourites, I am immensely proud of all our issues. Some stand-out moments, however, include our Jackson Wang shoot, which helped establish him as a fashion icon; shining the spotlight on up-and-coming talents such as Micheal Ward, Paul Mescal and Paapa Essiedu to working with huge stars like our recent Chiwetel Ejiofor and Adrien Brody covers.
Lucas Bravo. Photograph: Arash Khaksari
And of course, above all, a golden moment for me has been working with my Glass Man colleagues – as well as all the amazing creative teams who strive so hard to create these stories too.
And in some personal news, having been editing Glass online for 11 years and Glass Man for five, I thought the 50th issue would be an ideal juncture to hand over the editorial reins back to the wonderful team that has worked so hard together to make Glass Man the influential publication it is now. They are the most highly creative, inspiring colleagues that I have been truly lucky to work with. I look forward to the direction they will take the magazine.
Here’s to the next 50 issues.
Caroline Simpson