KTSW Loves: Lewk Magazine

By Jaqueline Cervantes Avila

Promotions Team Member

Since the idea bloomed in October 2021, Lewk Magazine has developed dynamic visuals to innovate the magazine sphere at Texas State University. This first-of-its-kind student-led magazine was founded by Amaya Aztec and her co-founders Sydney Bynes and Gabriella Garcia. Running the magazine this semester is Sydney Bynes. 

I was first drawn to Lewk magazine due to the unique and experimental photos on the Lewk Instagram page. I had not seen a collection of pictures like this style outside of curated Pinterest boards. Their Instagram posts were eccentric, edgy and had that Gen Z editorial fashion style. Their posts have so much thought behind them that they involve a team of creatives like an art director, creative director, graphic designer and other creative minds to come up with the finished concept. 

When I interviewed Sydney, she spoke about what she wanted to highlight in her organization. During her time as Editor in Cheif, she wants to shine a light on the life experiences of queer people, people of color, interracial relationships and other struggles minorities face. I was moved by the message she is helping spread in our community. As someone who has read magazines since childhood, I rarely saw people in the photos who looked like me or had similar stories to mine. 

Before Lewk, I always saw magazines as a picture book with pretty people and luxurious clothes. An eye-opening experience is understanding that this project has a deeper meaning to its visuals. Lewk magazine provides a safe environment for minorities in such a ruthless industry. It [Lewk] has built a community, so no one ever feels alone in their editorial journey. 

When you look at the physical magazine or the Instagram page, you see this is a creative outlet for every member involved. Sydney describes it [working at Lewk] as a “collaborative environment” that focuses on “professional development.” These skills developed working at the magazine are encouraged to be great additions to the members’ resumes or LinkedIn. 

Texas State students bring in skills like graphic design, makeup, photography and fashion design. Similarly, all types of personalities are needed. These unique ideas and life experiences members bring with them manifest into a physical piece of media for viewers’ eyes to take in.

Big things are coming for Lewk Magazine this current semester. That is in the literal sense. Everyone on the team is preparing to launch the magazine’s biggest issue yet. 

Sydney Bynes speaks with pride about how the magazine started in black and white and is now heading towards the goal of a standard-size magazine with 100 pages. The magazine has even expanded into partnerships with world-renowned brands like Prada and Fenty Beauty. Be on the Lewk out for issue #6 on May 4. 

Sydney is also preparing for graduation this semester, so she is arranging to pass the torch to the future Lewk Magazine Editor in Chief. For anyone who wants to get involved in this visionary project, there is an opportunity to join every semester. The Lewk Magazine Instagram page gives updates on the dates for new member applications.

For more information on future events, member applications and other updates, please check out the magazine’s Instagram @Lewkmagazinetx.