i-D is a British magazine dedicated to fashion, music, art and youth culture. i-D was founded by designer and former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980. The first issue was published in the form of a hand-stapled fanzine with text produced on a typewriter. Over the years the magazine evolved into a mature glossy but it has kept street style and youth central to every issue.
The magazine is known for its innovative photography and typography, and over the years established a reputation as a training ground for fresh talent. Photographers Chris Dowling, Wolfgang Tillmans, Juergen Teller, Terry Richardson and Ellen von Unwerth, Kayt Jones have produced work for i-D. The magazine celebrated its 250th edition at the end of 2004 and its 25th anniversary in 2005. The July Issue of 2009 was the magazines 300th publication, boasting many interesting articles and iconic photography, true to the magazines concept. The content, focused mainly on ideas from past issues and bringing these ideas into 2009. Raquel Zimmerman was the covergirl for this edition.
The magazine pioneered the hybrid style of documentary/fashion photography called "the straight up". At first, these were of punks and New Wave youth found on English streets and who were simply asked to stand against any nearby blank wall. The resulting pictures - the subjects facing the camera and seen from "top to toe" - are a vivid historical documentary photography archive, and have established the posed "straight up" as a valid style of documentary picture-making.
Tipped on its side, the "i-D" typographic logo reveals a winking smiley. Most issues of i-D magazine have featured a winking cover model.
i-D has also held numerous exhibitions worldwide and published several books.
In 1984, Tony Elliott (Time Out) became its publishing partner with 51% share of the company. Terry remained editor-in-chief and creative director, but he also worked on other commercial projects. In 2004, Terry - together with his wife, Tricia - regained total control of the company.
i-D's silver anniversary in 2005 was celebrated with an exhibition (i-Dentity) and guest-edited issues. Terry invited a number of creative collaborators to work with him on different issues, around the central theme of identity.
