Exploring Watchmaking and Fashion Magazine Creation in 2025: A Dialogue between Thom Betteridge and Malaika Crawford

Malaika Crawford, Editorial Director of Hodinkee Magazine, and Thom Betteridge, Editor-in-Chief of i-D, offered an exclusive look into the future of magazine creation at the UBS House of Craft. They shared insights into their individual and amalgamated realms – the measured rhythm of watchmaking against the ceaseless tide of fashion. Both stemming from print backgrounds, they acknowledged how time – be it real, production, or cultural – shapes an editorial lens. Guiding the legacy-rich i-D into 2025, Thom focuses on capturing youth culture’s essence without losing the instinct that fueled its influence. Their conversation entered a detailed exploration of their respective processes. Thom prefers starting off abstractly and distilling it down to the most elemental idea. This is a necessity for creating a biannual magazine that takes a leap into a future not yet reached by its readers. In contrast, Malaika’s editorial strategy straddles the line between niche and narrative, making complex horology topics accessible for the uninitiated, while still compelling to the ardent watch aficionado. Her mission is to engage readers by stirring cultural stories or breathtaking imagery while simultaneously delivering in-depth watch reporting. This riveting dialogue provides a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into more than just the process. It captures the spirit that drives these industry leaders to script narratives that anticipate the world of tomorrow.