Always wanted to write for a magazine...

Topless Tuesday drawn by me and featuring the exquisite Abbie Mac. She’s become even more wonderfully tattooed since the image that inspired this picture was taken (thank god it was after cuz it’s hard to do justice to tattoos in drawings… at least for me it is). Anyway. She’s ace, and i was moved to doodle her… In a manner of speaking.

In recent times (the last two issues) I’ve been very critical of FRONT magazine and it’s content. It’s something I don’t enjoy when I’m reviewing a magazine I buy religiously, but I feel it necessary to pull them up when I think output is shoddy. Equally, I feel it’s very important to sing the magazine’s praises when they do something awesome. Issue 176 is that something awesome, and goes some way to restoring my faith in the publication.

There’s a lot to cheer about in this Christmas issue, so I’m gonna jump straight in. First of all the cover, featuring Nicole Neal. I love, love, love the pristine white background and masthead chosen for this particular issue, echoed in Nicole’s white shoes, socks and hat. It’s Christmassy, it evokes thoughts of a white Christmas, and it works! The gold highlights play on the Christmas theme as well, and the whole cover bludgeons you with festive cheer. Nicole’s positional choice is inspired also. It’s never advisable to turn your back on the audience in a cover shot, but this half turn and peer over the shoulder works great. Curled in a ball with her knees under the chin suggests someone sheltering from the winter cold (and with not much clothing on, someone poorly attired for the season). There isn’t a flattering way of typing this, but it’s meant with positivity… The splay of her buttocks against the hard surface she’s sitting on is wonderful. Nicole is such a breath of fresh air with this breezy colour scheme and underlying Christmasness, I don’t even mind the ma-hoosive hat she’s got on (usually a pet peeve of mine with FRONT features). I wasn’t that aware of Nicole’s work prior to this issue, but there’s something about her cover shot that excited me, and drew me in. Which hasn’t been the case in many recent FRONT first pages.

Moving inside, and I have to mention the limited edition Alt Girl cover that FRONT are selling in their shop. It’s advertised on the welcome page, and looks immense! Featuring all the ladies from the Alt Girl party special (which I’ll spend the majority of this review drooling over later) wearing not a stitch. They say there’s only 200 available, which I would assume means they’re all gone by now. I hope FRONT gets some more done though, I don’t see why they wouldn’t, I’ll definitely be getting one when I get my arse in gear. It’s the perfect gift for Christmas and there’s going to be a clamour for them… why limit the extra revenue stream to just 200? They’ve probably already thought about this, but get that image on a poster and they’d fly off the virtual shelves. Sort it out FRONT bean counters (by that I mean money men, to avoid filthy confusion).

This month’s Full Frontal has been used to flog a new Suicide Girls book. I’m usually all over FRONT when they use one of the three shoots to sell something, but I can forgive them for this, seeing as the Suicide Girls are fantastic. To advertise the book they’ve chosen well, picking the very elegant Leon Suicide. Her image on page 16 is my absolute favourite. Leon is ravishing in heels and knee high socks, clasping her hands in an innocent praying position, next to an angelic face. We get a glimpse of the artwork on the back of her thigh, and the whole image is serenely sensual. On that same page there’s a tiny interview with Missy, the Suicide Girls co-founder. I’ve been trying to get this lady on my blog for ever, and from the minute interview FRONT managed, it seems tough to get this busy bee involved with anything non-SG. On SG and FRONT though, I think a union between the two is long overdue. Many FRONT models are already Suicide Girls, or that route is a natural progression from FRONT. Surely a relationship between the two houses of hornyness could be created, to share models and mayhem between two companies bound by Alt appreciation. But that’s another conversation for another time…

Forgive my rush to get to the Alt Girl party feature, but surely you can’t blame me if you’ve seen it. Things of note along the way though are: 1) The Todd McFarlane comic feature 2) The Harry Potter boxset bit. Not for the Potterness, but purely because I love the look of the case it comes in. I want that for my pens and envelopes etc 3) Olly Moss’ silhouette art book looks fun 4) Zach Shuta’s artist profile 5) I also like the ZombiU “she’s got a body to die for” double ad.

Page 54 = the Alt Girl party special feature! Double the length and five times the awesomeness of a regular Alt Girl shoot. My head didn’t actually explode when I came across this, but it was bloody close. Starring: Rebecca, Bella, Abbie Mac, Chelsea and Keshia, this is inspired work form the decision makers at FRONT, and an awesome Christmas gift for loyal readers. It’s hard to know where to start when talking about this shoot, but I’m gonna dive right in. First of all, special mention as always to photographer Gemma Edwards. I always praise this ladies work, and with good reason. FRONT seems to be settled with Gemma as the Alt Girl photog now, and that’s a terrific decision. She captures the girls wonderfully well, with a tone and spirit that is quintessentially FRONT. That’s what you get when you hire a FRONT fan to work on FRONT magazine. Hint, hint FRONT HR department, come get me in 2013…

We begin the set with Chelsea, one of my personal highlights from the Alt Girl section this year. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for this blog a few months ago, and she’s such a cool lady. Her picture is a fantastic way to kick off this feature, after her beautiful eyes my attention was drawn to her perfect bottom, and just above that her splendidly curved lower back. There are some great choices in this shot; the look over the shoulder, the thumb pulling down her undies to reveal a perfect posterior. Epic!

Page 55 sees Rebecca and Keshia playing a bit of hide and seek under the bed, and beginning their respective stripteases. It’s wonderful to see Keshia back in the mag; I remember her feature with Mel Clarke a few issues back, where I commented on what seemed like a passing of the torch between the two models. If this feature is a glimpse into the kind of girls that will lead FRONT forward, then I’m excited about the future. I hope the insanely positive reaction to this Alt Girl special will finally give FRONT the courage to put more faith in their Alt Girls as featured models.

Page 57 sees Abbie Mac’s introduction to the piece. I’m a massive Abbie fan; she’s made some incredible choices in her modelling life, and has produced some awesome shots along the way. I rhapsodise about every FRONT appearance she makes, and it’s always yet another example of her versatility as a model. Pairing her with Chelsea on this page was another master stroke. The two play off one another very well, and the final image of 57 is immense, with the two mirroring each another in both pose and gaze. Sublime symmetry, and a shot I’d hang on my wall any day of the week.

On 58 Bella gets to show off. As with most ensemble shoots, there are some models that might not get as much coverage. Bella seemed to be in that position slightly, with the shots she’s in not always showing her face. However, in the shots where she is the focus, she rocks it. I like the picture with Keshia on 58 where Bella gets a heart drawn on her bottom. It those kind of pictures that highlight the fun that must have been had on set. Another example of on set camaraderie is visible on 59, with the gang together on the sofa chatting, while Keshia sneaks a peek over her shoulder to camera. I love the voyeuristic feel to this shot, like we’re privy to the most awesome secret society meeting ever!

On 60 and 61 the set comes to a close with a line up of buttocks. The girls stand side by side, revealing their bums in unison. I would have liked them all to be looking over their shoulders to camera, just a final show of unity from what was a stellar set. But it’s still a great picture; with Abbie’s sultry stare, Rebecca’s nonchalant bottle of booze, and Keshia seemingly checking out Abbie’s arse, all quaint and positive notes on which to leave the party.

It’s very hard for the DIY section to follow such an epic Alt Girl feature, but it starts very well with Zoe Sutherland getting top billing in the section. I mentioned that I was a little embarrassed for FRONT last month, as having Zoe only in the DIY section represented a massive oversight on their part. She should be featuring regularly in the mag as an Alt Girl or in the Full Frontal section. But it seems others had a similar reaction, and “back by popular demand” is a good thing to read. I really hope I get to see her working with FRONT in a more official capacity in 2013.

Other ladies of note form the DIY section include; the magnificent Bon Bon on page 63, she looks so effortlessly cool, and I’d love to see what she might do given a proper shoot. I’d also love to know more about this lady, and will endeavour to do so. If anyone reading this can help, then I implore you to do so. Georgia Elizabeth and Izzy McKenzie definitely fit the FRONT bill, petit and very pretty. I’d also like to have seen bigger shots of Manuela, another very interesting looking contributor.

As mentioned, this month’s featured shoot with Nicole Neal is the first main shoot I’ve been interested in for a few issues. If the Alt Girl feature hadn’t been so incredible, it may have had a chance at overshadowing that most divine of sections. Still, Nicole really impressed in her solo feature debut. Her first shot on 83 is wonderful for many reasons. I love that she’s on tippy-toes, I love the skirty/tutu-ish thing she’s wearing, and I love the outline of her breast against the light through the door. But I particularly love the look she’s giving to camera over her shoulder. A crooked smile that seems to say “you’re going to enjoy what’s coming. “ And she’s right about that.

Pages 84 and 85 bring an array of wonderful pictures that range from the sheer beauty on 84, to the sublime artistry on 85. I’m not sure who the photographer is on this set, but she or he has worked wonders on 85. Nothing overtly sexual, the abstract nature of the images just sings, and the light and angles are perfection.

On 86 we get a glimpse of the ballet and dance background that the piece keeps harking back to. A stretch in front of the mirror is utilised very well to showcase Nicole’s elegant figure, as well as the poise her dancing has given her. On 87 a light emblazoned Nicole reclines against the wall, her perfect bottom and breasts a feature, but not detracting from a very well thought through expression and look to camera. A double page spread on 88 ad 89 hints again at an arty penchant from the photographer. One breast depicted in dappled lace is a unique image, and one that is a welcome change from FRONT’s propensity for a gratuitous and anonymous boob shot.

The great shots continue, as do the demonstrations of Nicole’s flexibility. On 90 we see a quite unfathomable pose being adopted, with Nicole extending her legs vertically and balancing on one spot. The wide grin on her face does let slip the effort it must have taken to adopt the pose, but it’s impressive none the less. 91 sees a very different Nicole, with her hair pulled back against white light from behind, her pouty lips and slender neck are highlighted. It’s a very soft and beauteous picture.

The double page spread on 92 and 93 heralds the customary FRONT “model on the floor” shot. Again Nicole’s luscious lips are a focus as the sun casts shadows about them; it’s a stock FRONT style picture I must admit. The final two images also embody the FRONT style, but in a much more pleasant way. Nicole on the counter with cereal is the very epitome of FRONT petit cuteness. One eye covered with her hair, legs together, with one coyly raised to cover her v-jayjay. I really like the placement of the hand on the counter here, it’s a solid picture. Lastly, page 95 gives us Nicole’s best impression of Cameron Diaz. Just my opinion, but I thought there was a striking resemblance. Either way, you can’t beat an over the shoulder look to camera coupled with a double handed self-arse-grab.

This review is a bit of an essay I must admit, but with good reason. Thankfully I haven’t been complaining about FRONT’s decisions this month, instead I’ve been extolling the virtues of an issue I thoroughly enjoyed. Hopefully for anyone that thinks I’m just down on FRONT, this review will demonstrate how much I long for the magazine to be awesome again. When they do it right, I’m gonna praise them to the hilt, so that they may learn what I and many other readers love about the publication. It’s been one of the best issues in a while in my opinion, and as always, these are just my views. It’s marvellous to leave 2012 with a bang in terms of FRONT output. It’s been a rocky twelve months, but I hope my reviews have been entertaining to readers, but also helpful to similarly frustrated voiceless FRONT readers. As well as giving anyone that reads my blog over at FRONT towers, a constructive view of what their customers are looking for/wanting. Essay over. 

She’s a friend of this blog, and never fails to make me smile. But don’t click the link based on that alone, click the link if you like unique pictures that feature an alt model with a fresh look and attitude. A hard worker who takes pride in every shoot and is constantly looking for the next interesting project. A lady who is going places and amassing a stellar portfolio in my opinion. I’m a fan by the way… It’s Abbie Mac’s new modelling Facebook everybody!!! Thanks for any support that comes from this post.

Howdy followers, lurkers and friends of this blog. I post this post on behalf of a terrific lady who goes by the name Abbie Mac. Regular readers will remember me featuring Abbie a few months ago; she’s a truly exciting alternative model, that has been exceedingly busy of late. Her portfolio runneth over with stunning pictures, and the variety and quality of the work she’s producing is magnificent.

I’m here tonight to (amongst other things) ask a small favour of those reading these words… Abbie is currently involved in a Facebook competition to win a cover shoot and four page spread in issue 9 of Gorgeous Freaks magazine. It’s a fantastic prize, and an opportunity i would love to see Abbie attain. She’s a hard working and progressive model, having already shot for FRONT magazine and is currently building an enviable back-catalogue of inspiring imagery.

I’m doing what i can to support Abbie in this effort, and i’m asking those who have not voted already, to head over to the link below and place your vote. It takes literally seconds, and you can check your Facebook massages after you’ve done it :)

Seriously though, i’d appreciate it if people could spare some time to help a friend of this blog out. She provided a marvellous interview with me on here, and i’d love to see her succeed here. Thanks for reading if you did, happy clicking!

Voting link:

http://apps.facebook.com/offerpop/Contest.psp?c=155905&u=43234&a=254553244581393&p=348697045149881&v=Entry&id=443234&rest=1

Q: You mentioned getting a wide range of shots for your portfolio, and away from FRONT you’ve made some really good choices of who to work with so far in your fledgling career. One of your first none FRONT shoots I saw was a “day of the dead” set you did. It looked like a lot of fun to be involved with, what do you remember from that job?

Abbie Mac: Ah that was such a fun day! Nicole Burke, the makeup artist, booked us in for a couple of hours at Pumpkin Studios in Manchester. She did the makeup at her place which took about an hour and we got to where the satnav told us the studio was to meet Ashleigh Simpson, the photographer. Pumpkin Studios has no sign or any trace that it exists on the outside so we ended up wandering around the middle of Manchester for a good 20 minutes getting a lot of strange looks from passers-by before we found the place! The shoot itself was good fun, we got to play with a smoke machine and some beautiful candelabras. It took forever to get the makeup off! I’m in love with the shots I got back from it, Ashleigh is a great photographer and Nicole’s makeup work was fabulous.

Q: It really is terrific work, and there’s a sense of drama about the images. With being so new to modelling, can I ask where you “learnt” how to do it? Or are you working from instinct a lot and learning from experience? Do you practice at all in your own time?

Abbie Mac: A lot of it is instinct, definitely more so in earlier shoots, but direction from photographers helps a lot. I do practice poses at home before shoots because what you think your body looks like and what it actually looks like can be frighteningly different and it’s always best to find that out in front of the mirror, not when you’re getting the images back! I’m learning a lot as I go and I feel like I’ve gotten better even in the few months I’ve been actively modelling, and I’m looking forward to learning more with every shoot I’m a part of

Q: Another aspect of your modelling that you’ve kind of explored is the fetish market. In particular I’m talking about a shot from a set you did with Nik Bryant where you’re holding a whip. The fetish community seems to love it judging by the responses. Is that an avenue you’d like to explore with your modelling work? You’ve mentioned latex before, have you got any specific styles or ideas you’d like to investigate?

Abbie Mac: It’s definitely something I’m interested in doing more of, I’ve actually got another shoot with Nik coming up where we’ll be doing more of that ilk. I’ve always been interested in the fetish side of things and it produces some beautiful and intriguing imagery. I’m a fan of light bondage and I’d absolutely love to get into latex modelling, some of the outfits I’ve been seeing recently are amazing and I’d love to squeeze into a few of them! I’m going to be going to Manchester Alt Fair at the end of the month so I’m hoping to pick up a few items for shoots while I’m there.

Q: Awesome, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for those shoot developments. We come now to the latest set of pictures you’ve shared on your portfolio blog, that being the shoot you did with Paul Webster. I really liked this set, and think the myriad of different images you came out with was wonderful. There’s a sci-fi flavour to some, with the cold blues and even what you’re wearing in some instances. What was this shoot like for you, and who was in charge of the wardrobe for it? I only ask because I think the leggings/tights/suspenders (whatever they were) look stunning!

 Abbie Mac: I absolutely LOVED my shoot with Paul, he was a really nice guy and extremely helpful with direction, he also pretty much saved my life when I nearly fell into a giant hole outside the warehouse! The colours in the images are so good, I was amazed when he sent me the copies back. I was mesmerised by his infra-red camera too, it gives some really interesting results. He asked me to bring a corset and something black, so we both organised the wardrobe I’d say - though he did mention I was a “lot more gothy in person!” Haha thank you - I love those tights! Yeah I’m bowled over by the images he sent back, I really enjoyed myself and I learned a lot from Paul. I can’t sing his praises highly enough.

Q: The infra-red camera gave you some magnificent flaming hair. Did it tempt you back to the colourful locks look at all?

Abbie Mac: I’d been toying with going auburn a few weeks earlier so yeah, I really want to now! But I’m sticking to my guns and I’m waiting until I have mermaid hair before I get the bleach out again. It’s… agony! Thanks Paul. Haha.

Q: What does the future hold for you in terms of shoots and projects Abbie? Where might we be able to see your work next?

Abbie Mac: This month I’m going to be shooting for Beneath The Eye’s summer campaign, it’s an up and coming clothing brand from Manchester. They’ve got a few items left at the moment here http://beneaththeeye.bigcartel.com/ and on Facebook they’re giving previews to the designs for the Summer collection http://www.facebook.com/Beneaththeeye - I can’t wait to start shooting, the designs are looking awesome and it’s something I haven’t done yet.

Q: Away from modelling, what is occupying your time at the moment? I know you’re a devoted gamer, so what’s got your thumbs a-twitching, and what have you been watching/listening to in your down time?

Abbie Mac: I’ve been playing a lot of Fallout: New Vegas lately and I’m still waiting to get my hands on Mass Effect 3 which I’ve been chomping at the bit for; the bank balance hasn’t allowed it yet though. I’ll be abandoning my Xbox for a while soon though because Diablo 3 is out this week so I’ll be back to the ole PC, I used to be obsessed with Diablo 2 so this is a long time coming! Other than that I’ve been listening to a lot of Teenage Bottlerocket which is spot on for the few sunny days we’ve been blessed with lately, their new album is out in the not too distant future so I’m very excited for that. I don’t watch a great deal of TV but I’ve been glued to Game of Thrones - I read all the books throughout my teens so it’s amazing seeing it come to life so well on screen. I’ve also been enjoying Preacher by Garth Ennis and Chew by John Layman, a couple of comics I could read 100 times over and not get bored of.

Q: Just before we end the interview with the questionnaire. I have to ask about your tortoise. You mentioned him in your FRONT interview. How’s he doing, and what’s his name? I’m guessing something like Yoda or Coopa Troopa… Close?

Abbie Mac: He is an awesome little dude! I’ve just re-landscaped his house and he’s currently digging a massive hole under a log and burying his strawberry in it. He’s called Ian! He’s a main feature on my instagram account, haha.

Q: I was way off! Right then Abbie, could we end with Bernard Pivot’s questionnaire?

 What is your favourite word? Curvaceous.

 What is your least favourite word? Regretfully.

 What turns you on? Tattoos, dimples and stubble.

 What turns you off? Fake tan, rosary beads, deep v neck t-shirts.

What sounds or noise do you love? Dirty punk rock.

What sound or noise do you hate? Children singing.

What is your favourite curse word? Shitwolf.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I have an interview tomorrow to be a Crematorium Attendant, which would be awesome to get!

What profession would you not like to do? Sales. Again.

Finally, if heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Here, you can take over now.

As you can hopefully tell from this piece, I had a lot of fun conducting the interview. Abbie was a pleasure to work with, and we went of on tangents throughout. I hope she won’t be too embarrassed by my exaltation during the writing of this article, it was a surprising experience talking to Abbie over the past few weeks, and I hope I have highlighted what a genuine and terrific personality she is. I wish her all the very best in her future endeavours, and am very excited with what she shared during the interview. Thanks as always to you all for reading, Abbie’s links are below:

http://abbiemacuk.tumblr.com

http://abbieonwheels.tumblr.com

http://www.modelmayhem.com/2546802

Images in both parts of this piece were provided by Abbie and used with her consent.

I’ve got to be careful how I type the beginning of this interview post, a slipped keystroke could be a catastrophe; here goes. The CULT of Abbie Mac has been all-consuming for me since her debut in FRONT’s DIY section (issue 165), and while this tremendous young model would never describe herself as a cult figure, I’ve enjoyed pursuing her career to date as such. When I first turned to page 59 of FRONT issue 165, Abbie’s DIY inclusion jumped from the page, and her images stayed with me. I implored FRONT to feature this unknown lady in a full Alt Girl shoot, and to my sheer delight they decided to in issue 167! I felt like someone who sees a band in their local, before they get their record deal, and it spurred me on to find more of Abbie’s work and approach her for an interview. I was very happy when she obliged, and during our conversations I found Abbie to be a unique, ambitious and down to earth woman, with a geeky side that’s out of this world and an incredible sense of humour. She’s a fascinating model, with her career in front of her. I feel very lucky to be able to feature Abbie at the beginning of said career, and am look forward to following her work closely in the future.

Q: Welcome Abbie, it’s wonderful to have you on my blog, you’ve become a bit of a cult hero for me since your first appearance in FRONT magazine. How are you doing?

Abbie Mac: I’m doing really well thanks, just got over a ridiculous 3 weeks of having every illness known to man so I’m finally fighting fit again and it feels awesome!

Q: That’s good news. Would it be correct to say you’re relatively new to the modelling game? How long have you been doing shoots, and how did you first get involved with the biz?

Abbie Mac: Yeah, I’m only a baby in terms of modelling really. I’ve been doing shoots now since about January - not a long time but I’ve been cramming them in wherever I can! Modelling was never something that crossed my mind for a long time - I didn’t even really wear makeup until I was 18, I’m not the girliest of girls. At the beginning of December I honestly don’t know what came over me, but I decided to send some photos into Front on a whim. I didn’t think anything would come of it but quite soon after I got an email saying I’d made it into the magazine and it all kind of went from there really!

Q: Would you say you’re looking at modelling as a career for the future? Or a hobby that you’re enjoying at the moment?

Abbie Mac: It’s definitely something I’d love to progress in - a the moment it’s a hobby and I’m really enjoying it, I love transforming into a different person for each shoot and I’m learning a lot. It would be great to make it into a career but I’m realistic and I know that the industry is saturated and it’s a very difficult thing to pull off. But if I can pull it off, it would be an amazing path to go down!

Q: That’s terrific, I applaud you for having the conviction to say you actively want to pursue it as a career. You’ve voiced strong feelings in the past, particularly about the glamour side of modelling. What are your views on the industry as someone just beginning their journey? Did you have any expectations going in? Is it a welcoming industry would you say?

Abbie Mac: I’m under no illusions, I know that it takes a lot of hard work and I’m not going to be booking so many shoots that I’m turning down offers this time in 6 months, but it’s a fun journey to go on and if I get there I get there, if not then I’ve not lost anything and I’m having a great time trying! I didn’t really have any expectations to be honest, it’s not something I thought long and hard about to be quite blunt - everything I’ve done so far has happened pretty quickly but I’m glad to say that I’ve not had a single bad experience with it, I’ve not had any negativity either and everyone has been nothing but supportive. I’d say that yeah to a degree it is welcoming, there’s the obvious downside of being rejected when applying to casting calls and such but I knew about that already and didn’t really expect to get every shoot I put myself forward for. I’ve met some lovely people so far, which is more than a lot of people can say in a regular job… believe me, I used to work in sales!

Q: I first saw your work in issue 165 of FRONT, those photos being the DIY shots you sent in (in December). Why did you choose to submit to FRONT Abbie? You must have been a fan of the magazine previously right?

Abbie Mac: Yeah I’ve been a fan for a while, I love that you can tell straight away when a photo is from Front and they always seem to come up with really great, fun ideas for their spreads. I like the humour in the magazine too, and I’m a big fan of lasses with tattoos, as is my boyfriend, so it’s a good one for us both to read!

I toyed with the idea of submitting photos a couple of times but brushed it off, I didn’t think I’d stand a chance of getting in the magazine itself. But, this probably sounds a bit daft, I tend to get bored and send my boyfriend daft photos of me in my underwear wearing pig masks and things when he’s away, and one night while we were at the pub he brought up Front and the Alt Girl thing and suggested I sent some photos in… and the next day I thought… well, I’ve got nothing to lose, why not!

Q: Underwear and pig masks. Lucky boy! Why pig masks may I ask Abbie? Those first three photos you sent in really did make you stand out from the other DIY entries that month. I was so impressed that I singled you out as someone I thought should definitely return for an alt girl feature. How did it feel when you got the news you had made it into the mag?

Abbie Mac: Haha I’m not sure, I have quite a collection of latex animal masks and they look pretty hilarious paired with frilly knickers or a nurse’s outfit, and I like to get a laugh or two where I can! Awh thank you, I was a bit sceptical when I sent them in because I didn’t think I was what Front usually goes for, so getting the email was definitely a surprise! I was absolutely chuffed though, it was definitely a boost because I didn’t expect to hear anything back at all!

Q: I couldn’t help but comment on and compliment your unique look in the shots. I likened it to everything from cabaret to vamp. Your hair in particular is a fabulous style and coupled with your black suspenders and raven hair on pale skin, it was an impressive debut. Could I ask what inspired your look?

Abbie Mac: Thank you so much! It was a number of things really. This time 2 years ago I had a short a-line bob that would be blue one week, then pink, then purple… which was good for a while but it killed my hair so I decided to grow it out, and the only way I could keep it healthy was dying it black and sticking to it. I’ve always been a fan of the Bettie Page look and gothy pinup ladies in general so I decided to go down that route a bit, I’m white as a sheet anyway so it wasn’t exactly a huge leap haha. The Vulcan fringe was born purely out of boredom (it’s very hard to resist going back to bright hair) and a love of all things sci-fi! And I’ve always loved suspenders and corsetry and anything with a bit of kink… who can say no to a bum caged in suspender straps eh?

Q: I know I can’t! The Vulcan fringe is a total winner, I’ve never seen it utilised so stylishly. Except for on Mr Nimoy of course. It’s clear you’re a geek to the core Miss Abbie, does it impact a lot on your fashion/style choices? Ever done the Princess Leia?

Abbie Mac: Haha thank you, it’s such a little change to a standard fringe but it makes a lot of difference I think! I’d say being a bit of a nerd does influence my style to a degree - I can’t abide those faux-geek oversized plastic rimmed glasses, but I have a wardrobe full of Star Wars and Batman t-shirts, Xbox controller necklaces (a gift to myself for hitting 10k gamer points…I’m very sad!) and things like that. Haha I’ve not done the Leia yet, but I’d jump at the chance to ooze around in that slave outfit! It’s a classic for a reason!

RubberMonkey has just made some Avengers themed latex outfits, and good god, if I had the money I’d be wearing every single one of them right now!

Q: YES, thank you, those thick black rimmed glasses are a bugbear for me as well! I’ve seen those Rubber Monkey Avengers outfits and they are awesome. Have you seen the Avengers by the way? What did you think? Loki fan or Downey Jr fan?

Abbie Mac: As a glasses wear myself I am frankly offended by their popularity, haha. Yeah I went to see it recently, what a film! I can’t say no to a bit of RDJ, he’s in my favourite film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but for me Thor stole the show. There’ll always be a place in my bed for Chris Hemsworth, baby or no baby! Haha!

Q: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, what a film. Val Kilmer is hilarious in it. That bit when Downey pees on that dead girl, it kills me. Anyway sorry, back to FRONT. You were in the magazine again two issues later for your full Alt Girl shoot, when did you find out about that, and could you fill us in on the process Abbie? How was it all set up etc…

Abbie Mac: Somewhere, right now, an all you can eat buffet is losing money on Val Kilmer! haha. Well, shortly after my first set was in issue 165 Becca contacted me and asked for another set, which is on the website now. As we emailed back and forth she sent a bit of a cryptic “Just checking, where are you based? I’ll contact you soon” which I responded to and didn’t hear anything of for 2 or 3 weeks, so I kind of assumed she was just double checking for my online profile. But about 3 weeks before issue 167 came out she emailed me and asked if I was free the following Monday for a shoot at home, and put me in contact with Nadia King (Scarlett Studios). I exchanged a few emails with the photo guys at Front where I sent them samples of about 8 outfits, and they chose what they wanted me to wear for the shoot. After faffing about swapping my shifts at work we settled on a time for Nadia to come round, and the shoot went really well. It took a few hours and we got a lot of shots all over my house - jumping on my bed, crawling up my stairs, on the table in my dining room, melting off the sofa in the living room..! At one point while I was posing in front of my window in nothing but my knickers I caught my next door neighbour’s eye… slightly awkward! Nadia was absolutely lovely, really funny and very helpful with direction which I appreciated because it was my first proper shoot. After that it was a nervous 3 week wait for the mag to come out, hoping they wouldn’t put my painfully terrible winky face in!

Q: It was a fantastic shoot, and one I rhapsodised over in a review. I really loved what you did in your photos, and they came out wonderfully. You decided to go topless and semi nude in some shots, was this a tough choice for you?

Abbie Mac: Thank you, I really appreciate it! To be honest… no, it wasn’t! I’m of the opinion that you’re only young once, and the human body is a beautiful thing not something to be ashamed of, so why not? I used to have very low self esteem and I was bullied a lot while I was at school for the way I looked and the music I listened to etc etc, as is the case with a lot of people in secondary school, but the past few years I’ve come out of my shell a lot more and I’m proud of who I am and my body, and if someone wants me to show it off (in a non-sleazy way) then who am I to say no, haha!

I’ve not done a lot of topless work since, purely because I want a wide range of images in my portfolio and it’s very easy to fall into just getting topless shoots, or just getting nude shoots, and while I appreciate the human form I don’t want to pigeonhole myself just yet.

Q: Very well said. Everything with FRONT seemed to happen extremely quickly for you, it’s an experience I’m sure you’d love to do again, and to work with Nadia must have been a thrill. She’s the queen of the Alt Girl shoots, and would you say you learnt something from having her take your photo?

Abbie Mac: To be honest I was surprised with how quickly everything went, I remember reading stories on the old forums of girls not hearing anything for months then suddenly being told they were going to be in the magazine! I’d absolutely jump at the chance to do it again - I’m actually planning on doing another DIY set when I get some time to myself this week. I absolutely loved working with Nadia - I was a big fan of her work to begin with and she was full of brilliant ideas, I learned a lot from her definitely. She was really friendly and fun to shoot with which relaxed me a lot, I hope I get another chance to work with her in the future, it really was a great experience.

To be continued…

I’m very excited about this month’s Alt Girl. The feature begins on page 54, and it’s with the divinely unique and vamptastic Abbie Mac. Followers and regular readers of these FRONT reviews might remember I mentioned Abbie in my review of issue 165, in which I said something like “watch out for this girl” or “Abbie Mac is one to watch”. Something like that, I can’t remember exactly. Anyway, I was so chuffed when I saw Abbie in all her glory as this month’s Alt Girl. I loved Abbie’s look in her three photos in the DIY section of issue 165, and pointed out her hairstyle in particular. There was something different about her, and I’m pleased FRONT has noticed this also. So then, on to Abbie’s Alt Girl feature…

Abbie Mac’s set starts slowly, and builds anticipation. On page 54 denim shorts and a checked shirt look a little out of place if I’m honest. I’d love to have seen Abbie in something a little different, maybe along the same lines as her DIY set. But that’s nit picking by me, I just loved her in those suspenders, and really thought it added to her sexy retro vibe. On page 55 Abbie’s strip down gathers momentum, a lovely shot of her at the top of 55 is very relaxed and natural, the checked shirt has gone which is good in my opinion, and the way she’s holding her legs cleverly conveys innocence. That innocence is juxtaposed with a very brave shot at the bottom of 55, when Abbie goes topless and pulls down her tights oh so low! The shirt is back, but it looks good opened against her pale skin. There’s a lot going on in this photo, but I focussed on her face at first, and her smoky eyes looking out from the page are so engaging.

Page 56 gets a lot more playful, and Abbie shows off a bit more personality. While playing with the shirt in the first photo, I love how her hair lays over her breasts. I’m not sure if this was an accident, but it really is a nice touch, and helps with the tease. A very cheeky shot (pun intended) follow that on 56, and Abbie’s arched back, lovely skin and little look over the shoulder work together amazingly. The final shot of 56 is a bit out of character for the set I found. The wink to camera seems a little forced, but I love the positioning, and the cheeky look while taking off undies is a classic for a reason. But I felt Abbie could have chosen a different expression here. Her final shot on page 57 is my favourite, and a contender for next years Alt Girls calendar surly. Again, the thumb pulling down the panties is well used, but I love the dainty positioning of her feet, I love foot tattoos also. Abbie’s face here is also engaging even though she’s not looking at the camera. There’s composure to the stance that just thrills, and the expanse of nakedness shows off Abbie’s wonderful figure, as well as her terrific skin.

I know I always talk about the shots in these reviews, but I wanted to give special mention to Abbie’s interview as well. I loved her answers, and they were very different from the norm. Battlestar Galactica, tortoise, Xbox, she even likes Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a terrific movie. Abbie, I salute you!

The DIY section this month was a bone of contention for me. There were some stand out contributors, mainly Ane, Hannah Laura, Donny and Faye Edwards, but I also thought some girls that were chosen didn’t really belong. I won’t name them because I dislike slating people, but I think a little more consideration was needed in a few choices. As Abbie Mac popped up as Alt Girl this month, I thought I’d name another “one to watch” from the DIY ladies and see if they return. Not that I’m an expert, or have any pull what so ever. Just for fun, I reckon Hannah Laura and Faye Edwards have a good shout at reappearing in the mag (they also both have names I can see printed in FRONT as models for some weird reason). But I’d also like to see Donny, her eyes are wonderful. So my “one to watch” is actually three.

Pages 86 and 87 begin this month’s main feature, and it’s where I first realised that there were two other models involved. That’s a bit bad from FRONT, especially as both Alice and Courtnie aren’t regulars in the magazine, they should have been promoted more I think. The first double page photo is a breath of fresh air for FRONT features. Jay Mawson the photographer is highly regarded by models that have worked with him, and from this shot and others I’ve seen, it’s with good reason. I haven’t seen a shot like this in FRONT before, and that’s not something I can always say. I love the symmetry of Sabine and Alice either side of Courtnie, Sabine’s expression is sizzling, and the way Alice has her legs crossed is cute and a nice little quirk. This shot is all about Courtnie though, and her doe eyed look up at camera is incredible. Sometimes a hat just doesn’t belong in a shot in my opinion, but the massive bobble hat Courtnie has on works with her pose and the camera positioning wonderfully. She’s tiny to begin with, but the hat dwarfs her still further, and it makes for a very sweet image.

Courtnie is the focus again on page 88, and in yet another exquisite photograph. I know the trainers are important to the feature, but I couldn’t care less when they share the frame with such a beautiful lady. Her expression is sexy with a hint of derision, but that works. Her pout is glorious, with a little curl to her top lip. The hand to her left temple is a little touch, but an important one, it’s alluring and very much so! Then you’ve got the trainers, but Courtnie’s bosom and incredible midriff make sure you pay no attention to them. I’m not sure if it’s by design, but the lace of the trainer skimming the nipple is just tantalising.

Page 89 sees Sabine’s first solo shot in the shoot. She’s bent over a radiator with a pair of leggings pulled down to reveal her pert bum, it’s one of Sabine’s strongest shots of the set, and I say that hesitantly. I say hesitantly because I always worry when a model produces the middle finger, and “flips off” the audience. Some girls tend to use the middle finger in the absence of actual attitude, but that’s not the case with Sabine. I love the pose, though she does a lot of facing away from camera posing in this feature. The trainers aren’t as on display as the previous page, but I couldn’t get past Sabine’s face. Again, slightly scornful, but full of attitude, and very sexy.

I wasn’t a fan of Sabine’s double page shot on 90 and 91. You see a lot of the floor radiator and sofa, and with the page crease, Sabine kind of disappears, which was a shame for me. Page 92 was rightfully chosen by FRONT to promote the issue online and with posters and special covers. It’s Sabine’s best photo of the set, and yet another interesting and fresh idea from photographer, model, stylist, or whomever may have suggested it. Vibrant laces in the foreground and Sabine topless eating them like pasta behind is a very fun image, and she works it well.

Alice makes her first and only solo appearance on page 93. It’s a shame because I feel Alice gets a little bit lost in this feature. With Sabine’s headlining, and Courtnie dominating with excellent photos, Alice doesn’t get anywhere near equal billing. Her shot on 93 is a good one though. Alice has a wonderful figure, and I love the arm behind her head, but her expression seems a little spacey to me. I would have loved to see Alice do something expressive with her only solo picture, and I really hope we see her back again in the magazine in the future to see what she can do on her own.

94 and 95 provides another platform for Courtnie to take over this set. She’s been given a lot of exposure in this feature, and I’m very pleased with that decision. In this double page spread Courtnie lies on a bed, Adidas jacket on top, nothing on the bottom, and said bottom is thrust into the air. It’s a perfect posterior I have to say, and I also love what she’s doing with her right foot, just having the trainer hanging off her toes. A good idea well captured. Her expression is once again spot on, the wistful look off camera makes you want to know what’s on her mind, and the sunlight playing on her face adds to an emotional visage. A touch of modelling knowhow comes into play with the placement of a thumb on the bottom lip. Playful and complementary to her full lips.

Again Courtnie takes centre stage on page 96. I think its Alice she’s in front of, but it’s not obvious. This picture is all about Courtnie’s incredible body, like a sexy “s” crouching in front of Alice, with her hands clawing at her model partner’s buttocks. Again, a growl appears on Courtnie’s face, but it doesn’t detract from the image, rather it adds a dimension of aggression. Who cares about the trainers at this point right? This is a wonderful shot once again! Page 97 is Courtnie again, but I think this is a wasted page. When you have Alice hardly doing anything in this shoot, I thought this page could have been used better. We get the benefit of Courtnie’s amazing body again, but her face is cut off and only an Adidas track top is focussed on. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just added in for advertising and funding purposes, but I again feel sorry for the models that could have used this page time better.

The final double page spread sees all three models reunited in one last collective image. They’re lined up on a bed, arms above their heads knees bend. This is a lacklustre ending but a lovely image. Again Alice is somewhat overlooked being positioned in the middle, but all three models look stunning, and the use of red lipstick works well against pale skin and white bedding.

All in all this main feature was a little disjointed. I don’t understand why it wasn’t billed as a three way shoot, and only Sabine was on the cover, and I also don’t understand why Alice was used so little. On the plus side, Courtnie stole the show, and produced some incredible imagery. For me she has to be guaranteed a return to the magazine, and hopefully Alice will get a better opportunity to show what she can do. Perhaps at the beginning of the “Full Frontal” section?

My final mention comes from page 127, and the “Readers’ Ink” section. I have to point out the work of Sophie Butcher right in the middle of the page, the Star Wars decorative skulls. Sophie has featured in FRONT before, and is currently strutting her stuff on the website with a new DIY photo set. She’s also a wonderfully talented tattoo artist, and one kick ass lady. She deserves attention, and I think she should be in the mag again sharpish!

Issue 167 had a lot of highs for me, and you can tell by the length of this review that I had a lot to talk about from its pages. I’m enjoying the influx of new models and talents, but I am wondering when or if the likes of Rosie Jones, Seren and Vikki might return? I think it’s been long enough for each, particularly Rosie and Seren to make a return, but are they still interested? Can FRONT afford them now they’ve been in FHM? I do hope so. If they are out of reach, it’s good to know FRONT still has the magic touch when it comes to finding new talent. I can’t wait to see what next month has in store!

Image taken from the FRONT tumblr, seriously, so check it out.

This month’s FRONT was an interesting one. It’s kind of gone under the radar in my opinion, with not a lot of “bigging up” or even discussion. With this piece I hope to highlight some of the good things about this month’s issue, as well as maybe mentioning possible reasons why it’s not been lavished with praise. Let’s get straight into it…

As we always do, let’s begin with the front cover. Sabine adorns the cover of this Easter issue, and I think this may possibly be the first reason why the issue hasn’t taken off. There are some people who just don’t seem to like Sabine for whatever reason. When she made her debut it was greeted with a range of emotions, largely ranging from indifference to dislike. I must admit, I wrote that her first appearance in the mag was not spectacular. However I changed my tune when she reappeared in issue 164 with an amazing showing in what has been one of the best issues of FRONT in years! But people did have a problem with her originally, and it has stuck for some. I personally am on board with Sabine in FRONT, and was looking forward to seeing what she had for us this time. Having said that though, I was only sure it was Sabine when I read the accompanying circle of text just below her right knee. I didn’t recognise her from just looking, and it’s become a feature of her work with FRONT. Looking back from issue 161 to issue 164 and now issue 167, every time Sabine has appeared, she looks different. It definitely denotes a versatility and reinvention, but you also want to be memorable don’t you? As for Sabine’s cover shot, it’s 100% FRONT, and reminiscent of the work Rosie Jones did in her early years with the magazine. Girls in trainers was what brought FRONT to the dance, so to speak, and it’s perpetuated here. The shot itself is gorgeous of course, but that’s down to Sabine’s physique and beauty solely. There’s nothing really earth-shatteringly original about it, and there’s quite a disservice done to the other girls that appear in the main feature. Alice and Courtnie aren’t even mentioned on the cover, let alone seen. Unless I just picked up the Sabine version of a three cover special (which I didn’t), I think Alice and Courtnie should have had a presence on the cover, especially seeing as there seems to be more shots of Courtnie than Sabine in the main feature!   

Moving inside and straight to the “Readers’ Shit” page, just a quick mention for the picture of Alysha Nett in the bottom left hand corner; Anthony’s drawing isn’t perfect, but it’s good, and it reminded me of Alysha being in the mag, which was also good.

On page 16 we are greeted with one of the massive positives about issue 167, that being the return of Cala at the beginning of the “Full Frontal” section. I had just interviewed her last time she appeared in the mag, and that just added to the praise I heaped upon her then. This time her feature starts with a four window page, in which she sports some unfeasibly sexy thigh-high socks/tights. I love the photo in the bottom left of the four panel page, the coy hand in front of her face, and gorgeous underwear with that pink shirt just works! Page 17 shows off Cala’s amazing bottom, clad again in some incredible black lacy undies. The arch of her back helps to emphasise her beautiful tattoo, and the light coming through the window onto her face leaves an angelic haze that is pure pretty.

The images are sharper on pages 18 and 19 as Cala moves away from the light source. Still resplendent in those socks, these pages are all about Cala’s face and of course her wonderful bosom. Her hands on head pose at the top of 18 is playful yet sultry, and her gaze into the distance at the bottom of 18 is equally emotive. These two photographs show off Cala’s excellent use of her features when posing, and while she is topless, you consider each picture as a whole, it’s not just boobs!

The next three pages are straight out of a calendar, or definitely should be. FRONT has spoilt us with three full page photos, the first of which on page 19. Here Cala’s bright eyes and full pouting lips draw you in, and you follow her tussled hair down her shoulder to take in yet another example of this wonderful model’s body. Page 20 and 21 are my favourites from the set I think, although there is a lot of competition. The fairy lights and butterflies in the background of 20 echo the free spirited stance and pose of Cala, there’s a lightness and elegance here, with her arms stretched up almost in a balletic manoeuvre. I also love the touch of the belly button jewellery, it’s very Cala, fun and feminine. Page 21 finished the set perfectly. I’d love this image blown up as a poster, it’s such a sweet image, full of contemplation and intrigue. There’s nothing detracting from the grace being show, Cala’s nose ring hints at a stylish flair, and it’s just a terrific picture.

Moving on to page 28, and I must flag up Stef Nurding’s interview. I didn’t know who Stef was if I’m honest, but this little interview definitely grabbed my attention, and I’d love to interview her in more detail sometime. Fingers crossed. She is of course a gorgeous lady, but very interesting also, and I’d love to know more about her passion for boarding, both skate and snow.

My next stop is page 30, and unusually for me, I want to dwell on the “illustrator profile”. It’s a section of the mag I have not been moved by in previous issues. It’s an issue of personal taste, but I haven’t liked the style of a lot of the guys that have featured. This month is the turn of Kate Prior though, and I really enjoyed her interview. Her work reminded me of some classic cartoons and illustrated adverts from the 50s, but with a very modern twist on the comical elements. There is also a unique spark in her use of colour to achieve vibrancy and a more demure understatement. I’m no art expert, but I really love the examples of her work, and it’s moved me to check out her website. The most impressive things is her interview though, and the humour that jumps off the page. Kate seems like a very cool lady indeed, and yet another discovery from this issue that I would love to talk with someday.

 

To be continued…

 

Image taken from FRONT’s tumblr, you should go check it out.