a new chapter

This letter marks a turning point—not only for me, but for the platform I’ve poured myself into for the past few years.

I started Currant in 2021, after years of working in art and creative direction. What I wanted to create didn’t yet exist: a visually striking, coffee table-worthy magazine—bold in form and free of advertising. We became the first ad-free magazine and the first coffee table bookazine of its kind in the Netherlands. It was a response to the overload of digital content, and a celebration of print as something tactile, elevated, and worth collecting.

During the pandemic, Currant experienced a rapid and unexpected rise. We sold 20,000 copies worldwide—found in select bookstores, museums, airports, concept stores, and hotels. We published editorials filled with avant-garde photography and bold ideas. The growth exceeded anything I had imagined. It was thrilling, fast, and creatively charged.

But with rapid growth often comes a quiet reckoning. Two years ago, I became a mother. And somewhere along that path, I love my voice. Currant no longer felt like a reflection of who I was becoming. In trying to keep it going, I found myself drifting. I stopped enjoying the work because it no longer felt true. Gradually, my perspective began to shift. I found myself drawn to quieter things. The visual language of Currant softened. The stories became more introspective, the pace more deliberate. The evolution was subtle—but it was there. It echoed in the writing, lingered in the restraint of each image, and lived in the quiet intentionality of our subjects. Currant was still growing—but differently.

Last week, I announced my second pregnancy. And with it came a quiet, internal clarity—a reminder of what creativity feels like when it flows freely, not from pressure but from purpose. It reminded me why I started Currant in the first place: to build something that lives and breathes with me. Not to chase trends, but to offer something honest, beautiful, and lasting.

In the months ahead, we’ll be reshaping Currant into something that fits where we are now. A slower, more intellectual space. A home for women who love fashion and beauty but also want depth—cultural context, psychological insight, and design that speaks to the soul, not just the season. We’ll be reconnecting with our creative partners and actively seeking collaborations with like-minded brands—those who believe taste and thought can co-exist, and that content can still be made with love.

Thank you for growing with me. We’re just getting started—again.

— Igrien