Paper (also known asPaper Mag) is a New York City-based independent magazine focusing on fashion, popular culture, nightlife, music, art, and film. Initially produced monthly, the magazine eventually became a quarterly publication, and a digital version was made available online atpapermag.com.
In 2020, physical production of the magazine was paused following the onset of theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The publication continued to create and release content online via its website.
Paper was founded in 1984 byKim Hastreiter andDavid Hershkovits, former editors at theSoHo Weekly News, with help from Lucy Sisman and Richard Weigand. Beginning as a monthly print magazine in the form of a black and white 16-page fold-out, it has since transformed into a quarterly print and digital magazine.[4]
In 2017, Hastreiter and Hershkovits sold the company to ENTtech Media Group, an entertainment technology company founded by formerCondé Nast and Advanstar executive Tom Florio,[13] andDrew Elliott,[14] theChief Creative Officer ofPaper.[4] Elliot leftPaper in October 2019, to become the new Global Creative Director atMAC Cosmetics.[15]
In 2020, following the onset of theCOVID-19 pandemic, print production of the magazine was suspended. The final physical issue released was the Spring 2020 edition that featuredLady Gaga on the cover. Florio toldWWD he was unsure when publication would resume, or if the company would continue with it at all, saying "Part of me is open enough to allow this thing to really roll out digitally and socially in the way where most people know Paper. Most people know Paper — like the kids, the Gen Z — through this social engagement. [Layoffs are] so terrible. I've never been in a situation where you couldn't ask more from people, but because of crazy life circumstances you have to make these decisions."[16] The magazine's digital content was unaffected and continued to be published.
Digital Director Justin Moran succeeded Elliot as editor-in-chief in July 2022.[17]
In April 2023, in the wake of reduced advertising revenues since the pandemic, the magazine's staff was laid off and editorial operations ceased. The company itself did not shut down, but was seeking alternative options to remain in operation.[18] In September 2023, Paper resumed operations with Justin Moran returning as editor-in-chief after the publication was acquired byBrian Calle & Street Media in June.[19]
In November 2014,Kim Kardashian was the cover star of the "Break the Internet" issue. Kardashian was interviewed byPaper contributor Amanda Fortini for the spread "No Filter: An Afternoon with Kim Kardashian".[20] The photos for the issue were taken byJean–Paul Goude.[21] The shoot was a re-creation of Goude's "Champagne Incident", a series of photographs from his 1982 bookJungle Fever.[22] The cover photo, as well as the rest of the spread, featured a fully nude Kardashian.
The story received over 34 million unique page-views by December 2014, more than double the number of page-viewsPaper normally received annually,[23] and went on to generate more than 70 million monthly unique visitors to the website.[16]
^Coleman, Beth (1999). "Artist 2000: Prince & The Revelation".Paper (15th Anniversary Issue). New York: Paper Publishing Company (published June 1, 1999). p. 68.
^Hastreiter, Kim; Hershkovits, David; Musto, Michael; Waters, John; Mizrahi, Isaac; Almodovar, Pedro; Oldham, Todd; Mcmullan, Patrick; Sui, Anna (2004).20 Years of Style: The World According to Paper. New York:HarperCollins (published September 7, 2004).ISBN978-0060723026.
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