TORONTO—Flash Reproductions is donning its publishing cap for the second time with the release of Fashion Unlimited (F.U), a design-focused fashion/art magazine.

The oversized publication, launching later in November, was created by Toronto designer Paul Sych, who says the city lacked the high-end fashion publication it deserves. 


The front (l) and back (r) covers of the first issue wink at readers by calling attention to the mag's acronym

"I think that if you want [to launch a print product] in a web-magazine saturated market, the only way is to do something way more premium, way bigger, and not just something that you recycle and throw out," Sych said. The first 166-page issue uses four high-quality paper stocks, measures 9.75" x 13.25" and costs $13.99.

Flash launched its first magazine publishing venture, Wayward Arts, earlier this year. Like Wayward Arts, F.U. will embrace reinvention by switching logo mark, paper stock and design elements with every issue.


A double-page spread from the first issue of Fashion Unlimited

While Wayward Arts is a non-commercial venture, F.U. will be sold in stores and through paid subscriptions, with a projected circulation of 12,500. Creative director Sych notes that the mag will expand beyond Canada with the second issue, into markets like Milan, Paris and London.

Rich Pauptit, Flash Reproductions president, said F.U. evolved organically and does not signal any concrete plans for a Flash publishing division. Instead, Pauptit said he's mainly just looking for ways to do work he's proud of.

"To be able to up the ante of beautiful things is a big goal of mine," he said. "I'm at a point now where I'm only interested in working with people who inspire both me and others. It's the only way to go. I'm not interested in creating anything forgettable at this point in time," said Pauptit.

A version of this story first appeared on our sister site Masthead.