Details (stylized inall caps) was an American monthlymen's magazine that was published byCondé Nast, founded in 1982 byAnnie Flanders.[2] Though primarily a magazine devoted to fashion and lifestyle,Details also featured reports on relevant social and political issues.[3][4] In November 2015 Condé Nast announced that the magazine would cease publication with the issue of December 2015/January 2016.[5][6][7]
In 1982,Details was launched, as adowntown culture magazine, by Annie Flanders, a former fashion editor, at a meeting of former employees of the newly defunctSoHo Weekly News, including Ronnie Cooke, Stephen Saban, Lesley Vinson, Megan Haungs andBill Cunningham.[8][2][9][10]
TheLos Angeles Times detailed how the magazine changed hands a number of times in the years thereafter:
"In 1984, to save the publication from bankruptcy, Flanders sold a controlling interest for $300,000 to a British publisher. He in turn unloaded it in mid-1987 on a New York entrepreneur."[2]
In October 2000, its redesigned[23] format stemmed from a relaunch following the transfer of the magazine from Condé Nast to sibling divisionFairchild Publications.[24] Between its last issue at Condé Nast and first at Fairchild, publication ofDetails was temporarily suspended. This allowed for extensive redesign and strategic repositioning of the magazine.
From 1991 to 1999 the magazine produced sampler CDs that were sent out to current subscribers free of charge. While the CDs concentrated on then-current music, older songs were included as well. The initial CD was produced by Andrea Norlander ofMTV, who oversaw concept, musical content, design, and marketing of the project.
1991:Music Matters [Summer 1991]
1991:Music Matters [Holiday 1991]
1992:Music Matters Volume 3
1992:Music Matters Volume 4
1993:Music Matters Volume 5 (There were one and two CD versions of this volume.)
CartoonistArt Spiegelman was comics editor ofDetails in the mid-1990s; in 1997, he began assigningcomics journalism pieces to a number of his cartoonist associates.[25] The magazine published these works of journalism in comics form throughout 1998 and 1999, helping to legitimize the form in popular perception.[26]
In December 2002,Details featured American pop starJustin Timberlake on its cover, accompanied by the text: "Can we ever forgive Justin Timberlake for all that sissy music? Hey... at least he got intoBritney's pants".[27] This cover and headline were featured retrospectively in the 2021 documentaryFraming Britney Spears, which highlighted how Timberlake benefited from the media narrative surrounding his breakup with Britney Spears, while Spears herself saw her image suffer.[28] This same cover features another story, "Forget feminism: why your wife should take your name."[28]
In 2004,Details published a piece titled "Gay or Asian?", which featured a photo of anEast Asian man and "tips" on how to tell the difference.[29] Some of the text that accompanied the photo: "One cruises for chicken; the other takes itGeneral Tso-style. Whether you're intoshrimp balls or shavedballs, entering the dragon requires imperial tastes." The article generated protests over its racism and homophobia, and over itserasure of gay Asian men. To protest, LGBTAsian American individuals and groups came together and held demonstrations.[30]
^Kuczynski, Alex, "Details Editor Ousted and the Magazine Will Go to Fairchild, Jamie Billimoria Being the Editor,"New York Times (March 21, 2000): C13.
Peres, Daniel (2007).Details men's style manual : the ultimate guide for making your clothes work for you. New York: Gotham Books.ISBN9781592403288.OCLC144228454.
