Alan Maleh // Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Man of the World
Man of the World is carving out a new paradigm in the men's magazine market. In addition to features on style, travel, art and culture, the magazine profiles men who refuse to travel the obvious route and choose to live life on their own terms. Consider the visually-driven quarterly (comprised of 224-pages and weighing in at nearly two pounds) a vintage-inspired handbook for the modern lifestyle. Man of the World doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It's targeted towards a sophisticated audience, rooted in an appreciation for heritage and craft. The magazine is an earnest extension of the interests and experiences of Founder and Editor-in-Chief Alan Maleh. We were fortunate to catch up with Maleh to learn more about how his passions are permeated throughout the pages of the magazine, and how Man of the World is delivering an unmet need to a niche audience.
What traits are attributed to a man of the world and how did you settle on this as the name for the magazine? Confidence, minimalism, attention to detail, an interest for both modern and vintage, someone who is well-traveled and has an appreciation for enjoying life. With regards to the name, there was a paragraph on the side of a fragrance packaging, "For the globetrotter and for the discerning man of the world." After six months of going through names, it came to me immediately. In recent years, numerous independent men's magazines have been published. What do you think is the cause of this? There is a need that is not being serviced: delivering real quality content relating to a refined, cultured man’s lifestyle. What differentiates Man of the World from the other magazines out there? We're a new paradigm. Man of the World is crafted for collectors of fine things and the experiences that go with them. Our goal is to create a resource for exhilarating and intelligent content focusing on unique objects, unexpected destinations, timeless design, curated art and interior design. We pretty much threw out the rule book and built the magazine based on the need, not the bottom line. There is an unlimited amount of information to share and there is not enough time in the day. Being able to shop, travel, and be exposed to various cultures makes every day another adventure. Enjoying what you do equals success and happiness. Travel is an interest of yours and a theme throughout the magazine – after all the title is Man of the World. What place should every man travel to at least once in his lifetime? Puglia in Southern Italy for a great escape and Old World charm, not to mention its proximity to the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, and Tokyo for shopping. There are other places I’d pick for various reasons like nightlife and adventure, etc. The world is full of so many inspiring and mesmerizing places to see and experience. From watches to modern furniture, you are quite the collector. When did you first realize you had a love for unique finds and what is your approach to collecting? I started collecting when I was 17-18 years old, mostly things I appreciated that inspired me. My approach is to get out as much as possible and visit antique shows, flea markets, swap meets, etc. There is no limit to how many beautiful things are out there, but you have to go with specific themes of what you like. Whether it’s military-inspired, nautical-themed, Mexican influence or American Indian inspired, it all really depends on what relates to your interests. You seem to be the kind of person who works very hard but also takes time to enjoy life. What are some of your pursuits when you’re off the clock? In today’s day and age, when are you really off the clock? I eat, sleep and drink what I’m doing because I love it so much. There are many ways that I enjoy life. Sitting on a beach, being active such as surfing or skiing, shopping, having a drink with friends, experiencing beautiful locations, and of course spending time with my family. A key mantra of mine is to take time to enjoy your Life. The influence of Hollywood icons of a past era is evident in nearly every page of the magazine. I know this is like asking to pick your favorite child, but in a fight between Steve McQueen, Robert Redford, and Paul Newman, who would you put your money on? In a fistfight, Steve McQueen. In a fight for the ladies, Paul Newman. Man of the World is only three issues in but has the maturity of a magazine that has been around for decades. What has driven the aesthetic of the magazine and where does Man of the World go from here? I appreciate the compliment, but we still have a long way to go. We want to ensure that all of the content offers some sort of value, whether it be travel destination, cultures, purchases, while still encompassing an amazing visual journey. We strive to peel the layers of what’s obvious in these areas and offer the undiscovered... sort of a how-to guide, but done in a visual and creative way.
Issue No. 3 of Man of the World is available now. For more information, visit Man of the World online.