What it means to be a women’s magazine is changing. . . Welcome to our new image

You might have noticed we look a bit different this issue? Because we are. Not only does this new June issue of IMAGE herald an increased size on the shelf but it also ushers in a fresh new attitude and renewed commitment to offer our readers the most thought-provoking, relevant and engaging content. Because what it means to be a women’s magazine is changing. Not just in format but in content too. Over the last 42 years IMAGE has established itself as one of Ireland’s most highly-respected and trusted voices – a brand synonymous with quality and integrity. Today, we pledge to raise that bar ever-higher.

And what better way to do that than by saluting and celebrating 12 of the most fearless Irish females we know? Although whittling the list of change-makers down to a dozen for our June issue shoot was almost impossible! Our editor Rosie McMeel sums it up perfectly, “In a world where negativity abounds, these women are articulate, competent, resilient agents of change who fill us with confidence for a future filled with hope and light.” What could be more inspiring than that?

On the cover Irish model Appiok effortlessly embodies what real beauty is all about – namely presence, poise, self-confidence and substance. Fashion Director Marie Kelly says, “I am excited to be curating fashion and style stories that resonate with a new Ireland that is more diverse and inclusive.”

Our goal for print doesn’t stop with the physical copy in your hands, it now integrates seamlessly with image.ie where our new editor Dominique McMullan, has doubled the image.ie audience in the two short months since joining us with her vision for a site that offers more original, relatable and intelligent content, all day every day. “As Digital Editor I am so excited to be entering this new age of publishing with Image leading the way. It is my job to bring the brand into the future and ensure all the values we have taken decades to create, are protected. So we’ll be doing things a little differently on image.ie. We’ll be out in the world, creating conversations. We want to hear your voices. We will tell your stories, inspire you and inform you. We will lead the debate on difficult and challenging topics. But we’ll also be there when you want a recommendation for the best night cream. Because life is made up of a thousand threads, and we can’t wait to weave them together for you. See you online.”

You’ll find us bringing this interactive energy to everything we do. We’re just about to launch our first ever IMAGE Boutique awards, where we want you to award the people and places you love. Also, in our latest creative collaboration with Samsung we’re inviting Ireland’s female self-starters to take part in #ThePitch to win a career-changing package worth €100,000. We love transforming creative ideas into exciting, live experiential events like this.

Welcome to the new fully immersive, 360 world of IMAGE.

Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Group editor-in-chief, IMAGE