Australian journalist Lisa Pham hooked up with me several years ago in a jazz club in the 4th arrondisement for an interview about writing, cabaret and Paris. Since well-connected in the publishing world, Lisa forwarded me a mail late last year regarding an Australian / NZ magazine about France seeking contributors. Back in Sydney, I hooked up with the vibrant editor Stephanie Oley then happily penned pieces for her on Monaco, Marseille, Belleville Graffiti and French Fashion tips (from Juliette Dragon).
Vive La France ‘ Parlez Vous Design’ issue is out this week in Australia and New Zealand. Stephanie tells Ruby TV about it.
What is Vive La France?
Vive La France is Australia and New Zealand’s most luxurious French travel magazine. It’s published by Ikontext for the French Tourism Development Agency and caters to a well-heeled demographic of repeat travellers to France, aged anywhere from 30 upwards. We feature restaurants, shopping, hotels, attractions and events recognised by tourism authorities and systems such as Michelin as being among the best in France. The main difference from other magazines is that these articles are arranged according to region, rather than topic. As a reader, you can pick up a copy of the magazine and find a compelling destination in almost every corner of France – Paris, the coast, the south, the mountains and the central regions. This year, we feature 16 regions plus tons of information on Paris.
Tell me about this issue.
Each issue created so far has had a different theme – such as ‘food’, ‘luxury’ or the ‘Rugby World Cup’ issue of 2007 – and this year we’ve focused on design. As always, we feature a medley of high-end attractions, such as restaurants, spas, hotels and shopping destinations, but this year we’ve focused on those with a spectacular contemporary design setting. We also broaden the theme with mini features on Paris’ cool graffiti scene, the French inspirations of Aussie designer Marc Newson, new architecture soon be unveiled in Paris, and the art trail of Antibes-Juan les Pins. Plus, we got to create a particularly ‘designer’ look for the cover and pages – something we’re very pleased with, and we think readers will be impressed too!
What have you discovered about France in putting this issue together?
Even frequent visitors to France will get romantic about traditional sights such as the Champs-Elysees and women in chic suits, but the reality is that France has always embraced change as much as it has celebrated its traditions. Each issue of Vive La France, I’m amazed at the exotic flavours turning up in the cuisine, the international architecture commissioned around the country, and the multicultural pockets springing up in cities everywhere.
What is your editorial background?
You could say I started at 7, when a friend and I wrote and illustrated books together, or at 17, when I joined the editorial team of my high school magazine. But officially I’ve been editing magazines since my first job, as well as writing for various newspapers and magazines and even dabbling in radio work, and I haven’t really stopped. I work freelance now, and Vive La France is one of my creative highlights each year.
What do you enjoy about magazine editing and in particular at VLF?
When you write a single article, you delve into one story and the people behind it. But when you edit a magazine, you delve into the needs of your readership and business partners alike, and effectively create a large public platform between personal stories and public needs. That makes magazines a big and dynamic entity, and we’re especially excited about the further potential of Vive La France in a digital publishing format. Our lips are sealed for now – but keep an eye out!
Who are the contributors and who are the readers?
Contributors and readers alike are Francophiles, avid travelers, shoppers and foodies. It’s quite a meeting of minds.
When is VLF out and where can people pick up a copy?
Visit your local newsagent nationally, from later this week. The magazine comes out annually but is sold out within the first two months, so be quick! Vive La France retails for $8.95.
