Maria Joudina-Robinson, Puss Puss
Puss Puss is a glamorous, glossy magazine for cat-lovers, unique in the pet mag market because of its particularly clever art-direction and feline-themed fashion shoots. We start the week off with editor Maria Joudina-Robinson as she begins work on issue three.
Where are you today?
I’m in my studio in East London.
What can you see from the window?
Haggerston train station and the park behind it.
Are you a morning or evening person?
Morning, I like to get things done before lunch and have meetings in the afternoon.
Which magazine do you first remember?
Burda Moden, a fashion magazine my mum used to buy that had sewing patterns so she would sew her own outfits. And another one called Verena that had knitting patterns which meant I always had some pretty cool hand knitted jumpers.
What’s your favourite magazine this morning?
Alla Carta! I love everything about it: the art direction, the paper, the size! It’s a magazine I always pick up when there is a new issue out.
And your favourite cat this week?
Truman the kitten from the new Miu Miu perfume ad.
Are you really a cat-obsessive, or is the theme just a useful technique to build interesting content around?
I love cats and I love magazines so Puss Puss is a way for me to combine the two things I love. I also think our approach allows us to have lots of varied stories so we’ll never run out of content.
There are quite a few pet-themed independent publications about, such as Cat People, Four and Sons and Pet People to name a few. Are you concerned that what could be considered quite a niche subject matter is getting too much coverage?
I think there is a space for all of us on the newsstand. Also, this means that there is interest in the subject and that can only be a good thing.
Are cat people different from dog people?
I’m sure there must be studies about that but as far as I know, there is no difference. An idea for an article maybe?
What are you most looking forward to this week?
Putting together issue three! We have some pretty exciting stories lined up.
What are you least looking forward to this week?
More hot weather - the studio is boiling!
What will you be doing after this chat?
Looking at cat pictures… No, really I’ll be putting together a brief for a photographer for a shoot this week that I’m very excited about!