Haute Magazine Launch: Connection Through Music and Movement

If you stumbled upon Aikman’s Cellar last Sunday, you would have found it transformed into a lively and dynamic space for the 2025 launch of Haute Magazine, a St Andrews-based fashion publication established in 2017. Originally a digital platform, it has since evolved into a physical publication, now celebrating its third year in print. The event’s vibrant atmosphere was a perfect reflection of this issue’s theme: energy.

The basement venue, bathed in deep red lighting, set the scene for a night of movement, music, and connection. More than just a magazine launch, it embodied Haute’s mission of fostering shared experiences. Editor-in-Chief James Issberner commented: “I love how Haute has progressed over the years into something much more physical, involving new ways of expression and opinion — through photography, music, clothing — things that might connect people in ways words might not.” The drive to create a more immersive experience shaped the event’s design. Issberner further explained, “That’s why we felt the best way to enhance the physicality of our theme would be to host the event we did, creating a space where everyone experiences the same energy and everyone becomes a part of fuelling the theme.” The night brought this vision to life, with every beat, movement, and interaction reinforcing its core idea.

Music was central to the experience, with three DJs taking turns behind the decks throughout the event and each bringing their own style of techno and building off one another’s sets to keep the crowd engaged. The event flowed effortlessly in the intimate cellar space, where guests could pay for a ticket at the door, grab a drink at the bar, and choose to either chat at the tables or dance in the middle by the DJ booth. The underground setting, enhanced by the warm red lighting, provided the perfect backdrop for both conversation and movement.

At its core, the launch was more than just the unveiling of a new issue — it was a living expression of Haute’s philosophy. As stated on the magazine’s website, “Haute was founded on four central values: pushing creative boundaries, challenging cultural notions and stereotypes of fashion and art, and being for students, by students, and in the interest of students.” The event reflected these ideals, drawing attendees not only to celebrate the publication but to engage with its themes through music, fashion, and movement. The open, accessible nature of the night meant that even passers-by could step in, get caught up in the music, and stay to dance — no prior knowledge required, just a willingness to embrace the atmosphere.

By choosing Energy as this year’s theme, Haute sought to push creative boundaries further, using the concept as a launchpad for new forms of artistic expression. The event itself was a direct extension of this mission, seamlessly blending movement, sound, and atmosphere into a shared experience. More than just a release party, it reinforced the magazine’s commitment to challenging perceptions of art and fashion while giving students a platform to showcase their work.

In the end, the launch wasn’t just about a magazine — it was about people coming together, creativity in motion, and the shared energy that made it all happen. As Haute continues to grow, its influence goes beyond the pages, creating a space where artistic expression isn’t just celebrated but truly lived. With this momentum, it will be exciting to see what they do next.

Image by Haute Magazine St Andrews