The feedback I appreciated is that the zine mag had a DIY essence, I’d like to keep that spirit in the future.
Mag de Zine
France
Gwendolinn Ledesma
Founder
Mag de Zine
In 2021 you started the first female skatemag in France called ‘Mag de Zine’. I heard that David Tura’s ‘A Propos’ has something to do with it.
I do not know, maybe! It’s one of the first skateboard magazines I read. At the time it was free so I could take it every time. That’s what made me want to make the zine mag free, that’s for sure.
I understand that you asked David for some advice. Which one was the most valuable advice he has given you?
Actually, I did not ask him for advice but rather an opinion on the finished product. The feedback I appreciated is that the zine mag had a DIY essence, I’d like to keep that spirit in the future.
How did you pick up skateboarding in first place?
There is a very large skatepark in the city where I grew up: the Cosanostra Skateapark, in Chelles, near Paris. A friend suggested that I ask Christmas for a skateboard and try to skate together. That’s what we did, and we’ve been skating ever since.
You released two issues so far. I assume it was much easier to convince paying brands, photographers, writers, and skaters to contribute after the first issue.
Yes, for sure… for the first issue we had to convince the brands that it was going to be a cool thing. And they trusted us. Now they know more or less what to expect and what is at stake in this contribution. Because in this way, brands actively participate in the popularization of women’s skateboarding in France and access to culture for all.
Is there anything you would not cover in the magazine or refuse specific ads?
It’s a magazine that highlights women’s practice: I therefore try to respect women. I would never put content that does not respect a woman’s body, for example. Sometimes I get content that goes against that, I just refuse it.
What are your plans with Mag de Zine?
I don’t have a specific plan; I go where the wind takes me. We recruited a new person. That is cool. and now we are thinking of diversifying the content. Do something other than paper, even if it’s our first love of course!
Do you still feel there is still an underrepresentation of female skateboarding in the more established, conventional skateboard media?
Of course, and I don’t find that “bad”. It’s a fact: there are fewer skater girls, so fewer skater girl publications. The difference of Mag de Zine compared to the other magazine, is that we do not choose the content according to the level of the skaters. We just want to highlight girls who skate.
What is the situation in France?
In France, it’s a little slower. For example, in August 2020, Shani Bru was the first girl to cover Sugar Magazine (French skate magazine). This magazine is great, but it took them over 200 issues to put a girl on the cover. I secretly think it was Mag de Zine who woke them up by releasing its first issue in February 2020.
This magazine is great, but it took them over 200 issues to put a girl on the cover.
Any other female focusing skatemags that you follow (e.g., Dolores from Spain)?
Of course! Dolores is a great inspiration; they have been around for a few years now and do a crazy job! I also read Skateism magazine, which I really like for its content and artistic direction.
What is the female skate scene like in France compared to other European countries?
I think the community is very scattered at the moment. France is a little more behind compared to other countries like the northern countries. But some associations bring girls together and create a real community like SkateHer or Realaxe. But also, the Clumsy brand!
If you had to pick the Godmother of skateboarding in France, who would this be and why?
Impossible to choose just one… It would surely be one of the old ones, each in their own way advancing skateboarding! First there is Marion Desquenne who documents skateboarding through these documentaries. Lisa Jacob who builds skateparks all over the world with Concrete Jungle Foundation, and who founded her magazine: Forever Playground. And finally, Claire Barbier-Essertel who is involved in several structures including her club School Yard Riders, in Saint-Etienne, of which she is president. It’s totally spies.
Last question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be and why?
Maybe Bob Marley, nothing to do with skateboarding! (laughing).
