Selections || The Design Issue

          The Design Issue marks a new look for Selections as the magazine is re-launched with a new focus on arts & culture. With two exclusive covers designed especially by Studio Putman, in Paris, and Rana Salam, in Beirut, the issue presents the leading lights from architecture, product design, fashion, and design innovation across the region, with guests from Europe also. Zaha Hadid is in conversation with architectural critic Hilary French; design guru Justin McGuirk reviews this year's Salone del Mobile; Rabih Kayrouz is photographed in his Paris atelier; Sheyma Bu Ali considers Thomas Heatherwick's scheme for Abu Dhabi; and we review Richard Serra's new desert installation. We look to street culture with Rana Salam and peek in to the world of Olivia Putman in our Curated By section.

MEET OUR FASHION WRITERS

As a publication that takes an international perspective, Selections draws its contributors from far and wide. The magazine's two leading fashion writers Avril Groom and Thomas Rees both hail from London. Beyond their location and their passion for fashion, however, these two sartorial sages are quite different - which we like as they each bring their own point of view on the world of dress.

Avril has many years' experience writing about fashion and luxury for excellent publications of global standing, including the Financial Times How To Spend It magazine. Attending the catwalk shows in Paris, Milan, London and New York, she brings a sophisticated knowledge of the fashion industry and its moods to her seasonal catwalk reviews. Jewellery is also her thing, and Avril visits the major fairs to report on all the latest creations by leading jewellers and watchmakers - a favourite topic with Selections readers.

Thom, meanwhile, spends his days working as a Trends Researcher at LS:N Global, the editorial arm of trend forecasting agency The Future Laboratory. With this insider knowledge he puts together trend reports for Selections each season. Thom studied Fashion at the University of Brighton, so he's a dab hand at designing and styling himself. He knows absolutely everything about menswear and almost absolutely everything about womenswear. Based in the East End, at the heart of London's creative fashion scene, Thom is always in touch with up-and-coming labels and new styling details. We love his fresh eye and sense of humour - and his adorable Italian greyhound called Jelly.