French sexy mag L'imparfaite presents an alternative view of erotica (NSFW)

Date
6 July 2015

I know what you’re thinking – “oh, jolly good – another indie mag repurposing erotica” – but happily, Paris-based magazine L’imparfaite does much more than most sexy mags. Founded in 2009 by graduates from the prestigious Sciences Po Paris institute of political studies, the publication was conceived as a kind of revolution. “The journal drew much attention by offering critical inquiry into gender and sexuality and by literally undressing the future elite of French politics,” the editors explain. “Since then, the journal has extended its reach beyond the academy and welcomed contributions by writers and photographers from around the world.”

Focusing on the sociopolitical aspects of sex, L’imparfaite approaches it as an innately human activity, dressing it down and displaying it openly rather than venerating it as an immaculate ideal. Narrowing in on the aesthetic properties of such stories, the magazine then retells them in the form of poetry, photography, interviews and illustration. “ L’imparfaite is not a journal for the gay community or the straight community, for men, for women, for trans- or cisgendered folks,” it explains. “Rather, it is a catalyst for those curious to explore how sex and eroticism can be a window into the world.”

Furthermore, it’s an exceedingly good looking one. This issue was art directed by Aude Debout and VLF Studio, continuing the publication’s growing reputation as a “one-of-a-kind aesthetic object," with features by Camille Vivier, Arnaud Lajeunie, Walter Pfeiffer and Mrzyk and Moriceau. I for one can’t wait to get my hands on it.

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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L’Imparfaite: Issue #6

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About the Author

Maisie Skidmore

Maisie joined It’s Nice That fresh out of university in the summer of 2013 as an intern before joining full time as an Assistant Editor. Maisie left It’s Nice That in July 2015.

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