Hidden Gems: Meet Nastasia Rose of Jaded Magazine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nastasia Rose.

Hi Nastasia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I’m Nastasia, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Jaded, a biannual independent fashion, culture, and arts magazine built around collaboration and community.

I’ve always been drawn to art and fashion for as long as I can remember. In ninth grade, I was obsessed with Rookie, Polyester Zine, The Messy Heads, and StyleLikeU, and I secretly dreamed of starting my own independent magazine one day. I majored in graphic design after realizing that art was where I was happiest, and during college, I worked on a nonprofit fashion magazine in Athens. That experience made me realize that editorial was exactly what I wanted to do.

Jaded actually began as my undergraduate thesis project. We were asked to use design to solve a problem we cared about, and my guiding question became: How can a collaborative approach to publications uplift marginalized voices and broaden the way we visualize culture? I had watched so many incredibly talented friends struggle to break into the creative and fashion industries because the barriers to entry were so high. Women, queer creatives, and people of color remain underrepresented not only in who is featured by publications, but in who leads them. Too often, our communities are treated as sources of inspiration and drivers of profit while the people within them are excluded from positions of leadership and decision-making.

Jaded was my response to that. I wanted to build the kind of publication I wished existed: a place where emerging and established creatives alike can collaborate, tell their own stories, and create meaningful work regardless of where they are in their careers.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. There have been ups and downs from the beginning, and honestly, it doesn’t get easier— you just get better at problem solving and learning how to move forward. When you start something from the ground up, especially something independent, there isn’t always immediate profit or support. There are moments when the people around you don’t fully understand why you’re investing so much time into something that isn’t guaranteed to succeed. A lot of entrepreneurship is quiet work that no one sees: getting off a full day at my 9 to 5 and heading straight to a photoshoot, staying up late answering emails, updating the website, managing finances and legalities, planning social media, designing graphics and promotional materials, coordinating contributors, managing production timelines, and making sure every moving piece is actually moving. I creatively direct Jaded, and during production season for an issue, I oversee as many as forty contributors at once, so there are a lot of hats that I have to wear.

Print publishing also comes with its own set of challenges. We’re creating something in a medium that many people have written off, so convincing them that independent print still has value can sometimes feel like you’re swimming upstream. Building an editorial publication today is a huge undertaking.

That said, I don’t think those challenges are a reason not to do it. If anything, they’ve made the work more meaningful. Every issue we publish is proof that people still crave tangible, intentional storytelling and that there are artists looking for spaces where their work is treated with care. I’ve learned that building something worthwhile requires an incredible amount of patience, consistency, and faith in your own vision, especially before anyone else sees it. It’s hard, but seeing a community form around something that once existed only as an idea makes every sleepless night feel worthwhile.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Jaded Magazine?
While Jaded is a fashion, culture, and arts publication, I think it’s really more about creating community than it is about creating a magazine. I’ve always believed that art has the ability to connect people regardless of background and to help us heal, and now more than ever, it’s extremely important to use this medium for good and to give back however I can. That’s the kind of platform I wanted to build.

Everything we do is rooted in community. Every issue brings together dozens of creatives from different disciplines, identities, and places in the world to create something none of us could have made alone. We’re interested in fashion and art not just for fun or for aesthetics, but as ways of talking about history, identity, politics, and the human experience. I want our readers to leave with something that stays with them long after they’ve closed the magazine.

I also believe creative work as a commodity has so much power. Beginning with Issue 03, we’re launching a seasonal fundraising initiative where each issue supports a cause that aligns with the stories we’re telling. For this upcoming issue, we’re selling keffiyeh bandanas designed by Palestinian artist Jessica Ayoub, with 100% of proceeds benefiting Reviving Gaza, and our launch event will also serve as a fundraiser for The Drake House. If we’re asking people to engage with these stories and communities, I think we also have a responsibility to support them in tangible ways.

I hope what sets Jaded apart is that we’re not interested in chasing trends or gatekeeping opportunities. We want to create ethical, slow-made work that gives emerging creatives the same care and respect often reserved for established names. My goal has always been to build the kind of publication where people feel seen and where creativity becomes a way of building a more connected and compassionate community. It’s my dream to continue growing Jaded so that we can find even more ways to give back and to serve the artists and creatives that bring this magazine to life.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My favorite thing to tell people is, “Have the audacity!” It might sound cliché, but closed mouths don’t get fed. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, whether that’s sending an email or DM, knowing you might not always get a “yes” or even a response at all. It’s so easy to let the fear of rejection or embarrassment stop you, but nothing will ever happen if you don’t try.

Some of the most meaningful opportunities and connections I’ve built have come from simply asking. There have been plenty of unanswered emails, but there have also been people who took a chance on me because I reached out. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help or collaborate if you’re genuine and respectful.

I also think networking still happens just as much in person as it does online. Go to the gallery opening, the artist talk, the local fashion show— any community events you can find. Say yes whenever you can. Every conversation has the potential to lead somewhere unexpected. I’ve found that one small opportunity often opens the door to a bigger room.

Most importantly, be patient. Creative careers are built over time, and very few people jump straight into their dream job. Every project, every introduction, and every connection builds on the last. You never know which email, conversation, or chance meeting will change the course of your career, but you’ll definitely never find out if you don’t take the first step.

Pricing:

• Issue 03 Pre-Orders: $30
• Keffiyeh Bandana: $15
• Launch Event with The Atelier: $15

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jadedmag.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadedmag/
• Other: https://www.jadedmag.com/become-a-patron