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My initial inspiration for creating a theme for this issue was twofold. First, being that I wanted to find a way to stimulate the spirit and the economy of an industry that is particularly feeling the pinch of the current economic crisis. History shows that in hard times you support home, this seems logical and correct. Secondly, I began to think about what it means to be an American in the present day. We know all the clichés as we are continuously bombarded with them. This generation is in the midst of a rapidly shifting world which includes dramatic global tensions, a workforce that is facing an unprecedented crisis and a rapid fire pace in technological development to which this publication is the beneficiary.

In setting the visual tone of the issue I reached out to Jamie Isaia. Jamie is someone I have known for years but had yet to work with. Jamie’s very feminine, ethereal imagery embodies the belief that in this country possibility is limitless, in fact infinite if you work hard and dream.

We also feature a young woman by the name of Chelsea White. When I first met Chelsea I was so impressed by her presence that I wanted to devote an entire story to her. She is an artist and a graduate of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). She is just at the beginning of her journey here and I am curious to see how the city shapes her. She is one of those special people who make an immediate impact on everyone, not in a bold or aggressive way, more so she has a quiet charm that fascinates us.

Fascinating does not begin to describe the musician Matthew Miller, aka Matisyahu, who was photographed by Daymion Mardel. The Hasidic reggae rapper has been making an impact on the music industry over the past few years. With the release of his new “Album Light” and the explosion of his crossover hit single “One Day”, he is on his way to traversing from a cult figure to a household name. His story is unique and he radiates a calm confidence and charm that is anything but manufactured.

We are once again very fortunate to have Patric Shaw back for Issue 3. Patric has had a very successful fashion career both here in New York and in Paris.  For aWANTEDmag.com Patric focuses on what I feel is his true passion: portraiture. His work is honest and soulful. He always manages to find the heart of the subject without manipulation. He had his hands full with scheduling and artistic temperaments and he has managed to pull it off in the quiet, easy manner that is his demeanor.

For the first time we are featuring a beauty story in this Issue, shot beautifully by photographer Rick Haylor under the direction of Beauty Editor Gina Crozier. The images are stunning and are specifically designed for aWANTEDmag.com to speak to you, our audience.

First time contributors Phil Knott and stylist Mark Holmes salute J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye with a modern day trip to the heart of New York City. As we went to press sadly Mr. Salinger had passed away at the age of 91 on January 28, 2010. His outsider philosophy serves as catalyst for this magazine and me. I'm not so sure if he would view a fashion tribute to him in high regard. Ironically that makes me admire him all the more.

If you are going to discuss America in the modern day you have to acknowledge its past. In this issue we pay tribute to the Industrial Age and brace ourselves for the new age of industry. When I started this publication I was very fortunate in that the photographer Steven Cohen agreed to come on board and develop our still life portfolios. With each shoot he just keeps raising the bar and for that we are very grateful.

Our Arts and Culture Editor Daniel Alonso is one of the most dedicated and hardworking people I have met in my life. He brings an energy and work ethic that would rival anyone. He is responsible for all of the interviews in the American Artists Series, as well as interviewing photographer Steven Sebring on his collaboration for the past five years with icon Patti Smith. Daniel also found the time to go across the country and cover the San Francisco Art Gallery scene. After that he came back to New York and managed to interview our cover subject Matisyahu.

Lastly this issue is tribute to the country that has allowed me to make a home here and to pursue my ambition. The original dreamer spirit mixed with a can do attitude, serves as the foundation for aWANTEDmag.com. I felt that this spirit has been on the wane for some time and has been replaced by cynicism and a jaded attitude. Certainly the current administration in Washington has given us hope and also serves as a major inspiration for us.

The past nine months have been some of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences of my career. Myself, and the entire team here at aWANTEDmag do what we do because we could not imagine doing anything else. It is our passion. We do live in a cynical world, often shaped by the disappointments that life inevitably hands out to us all during our time here. I started this project because I did not want to be part of that world. I am very fortunate in that I love what I do and I have the good luck to make a living doing it. My intention is to create a place where people can escape and remember what it is like to be alive and to care about something whether it is fashion, politics, art, the human condition or hopefully, all of them. I wanted to create a place where eclectic points of view may coexist. I see this project as the equivalent to a great dinner party of diverse individuals from different worlds coming together to make for stimulating conversation. This, and a certain integrity will be the cornerstone to its success.


John Slattery