CERCLE MAGAZINE – Vol. 04 ‘Costumes’

Cercle Magazine is a thematic, annual publication devoted to art, design, illustration, science and photography expressed through the lens of one main topic. The magazine was conceived by eponymous, Strasbourg-based graphic design studio Cercle Studio, which was founded in 2013 by Marlène Astrié, Marie Secher and Maxime Pintadu. The three designers are not only responsible for the publication’s art direction, production and creation, but as a creative studio they work across various media, ranging from magazines, visual identity and art direction to books, illustration and exhibition design.

In an age of information overload, Cercle Magazine’s mission seems to be twofold: while it complements to the understanding of a specific topic by taking the time to deep dive into it, the magazine also acts as an antidote to the ephemerality of information, caused by social media’s instantaneous exchange of information. Cercle Magazine therefore aims to capture a topic within a medium that allows information to be treasured.

Cercle Magazine N˚4 looks more closely at the concept of Costumes. And naturally, it’s about going into the subject’s detail, exploring costume from different angles and viewpoints. Unquestionably, dress is a topic with multiple facets; it can be about anonymity, uniformity, rite, celebration and individuality - costumes “impose a contradiction: we show, yet hide,” say the editors. Beautifully layouted on 140 pages, issue four is an exploratory ride into the world’s of artists, fashion creators, designers and historians whose work is linked to the world of costumes. Read about famous costume designer Camille Assaf, renaissance-inspired portraits by Christina Tagliavini, theatre-centric creature costumes by designer Nick Cave and many more.