FL Stories: Gili Biegun Brings JOY To The Fashion Industry

By Bethany Berkeley

@TheStyleStalker

From photographer to influencer and ultimately Editor-in-Chief of her very own magazine adequately titled JOYS Magazine.

Gili Biegun used Instagram as a platform —which she started in 2011— to share her photography, this subsequently grew into a platform where she was able to showcase her keen sense of fashion in a way that resonated with the rest of the world.

Attending and covering many different Fashion Weeks globally, Gili Biegun has given access to her followers and readership to come along with her on this journey. As we sit down with her to discover what has inspired her thus far, she shares with us her successes and the challenges she's faced in the ever-changing industry that is fashion!

@joysmagazine

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Bethany- So tell me how your fashion journey began?

Gili: My journey into the fashion world began with a passion for creativity and self-expression. I moved from Israel to Italy about 14 years ago and, as a photographer, I found joy in capturing the beauty of fashion in day-to-day life in Italy, which eventually led me to establish JOYS Magazine.

Bethany- How did JOYS Magazine evolve from a personal project into a full-time business and publication?

Gili: JOYS Magazine started as a personal project to showcase my work from backstage at fashion shows in Milan. Over time, it gained traction and evolved into a traditional media meets new-media group as we attracted a dedicated audience and formed partnerships with emerging and leading brands.

Bethany- What would you say is the engine of the brand?

Gili: At JOYS Magazine, our ethos revolves around inclusivity, creativity, and empowerment. We strive to amplify voices from all corners of the fashion world, embracing diversity and championing authenticity in every aspect of our work. I always try to get the shot no one else has and tell the story that others can’t tell.

@joysworld

"At JOYS Magazine, our ethos revolves around inclusivity, creativity, and empowerment."

Bethany- What has travelling around the world shown you?

Gili: Traveling has exposed me to a rich tapestry of cultures, trends, and perspectives, shaping my understanding of global fashion. It's taught me that style knows no boundaries and that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.

Bethany- What would you say was the light switch moment for you?

Gili: The eureka moment for me was realising the power of storytelling through imagery. When I saw how a single photograph could evoke emotion and inspire change, I knew I had found my calling in the fashion industry.

Bethany- Not having what you would call a traditional fashion background, what challenges did you face entering the fashion industry?

Gili: In one way, it was extremely challenging since I had no connections, I never studied fashion, I had no friends in fashion and I actually never applied for any real job or had any experience in the industry. On the other hand, I never really wanted or planned to get to where I am now. I kind of thought ‘’let's try to take this picture, what is the worst that can happen?’’ and I still think of it this way.

@TheStyleStalker

Bethany- What would you say the state of fashion is right now?

Gili: ‘’Fashion’’ has become a lifestyle. It's in our movies, in our restaurants, music videos, hotels, and face creams. Fashion is the star of pop culture, it has become inseparable from our day-to-day, even if some don’t think about it at all.

Bethany- What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Gili: Not having an anxiety attack or mental breakdown in public.

Bethany- I can definitely relate! Thinking more on that, what has been the biggest struggle you've faced since your journey began?

Gili: One of the biggest struggles I've faced is overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome in a highly competitive industry. Learning to trust my vision and embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth has been a transformative journey.

@joysmagazine

"The eureka moment for me was realising the power of storytelling through imagery. When I saw how a single photograph could evoke emotion and inspire change, I knew I had found my calling in the fashion industry."

Bethany- I think everyone goes through a similar thing when embarking on a new journey and building something completely new.

Bethany- Tell me a bit about the JOYS Fashion Book

Gili: I’ve owned JOYSmagazine.com for many years but always wanted to go to print and after many tries, we launched the first printed book in 2017 and have had 13 printed editions since. The book features only original work by me and my team and has no ads.

Bethany- What has been your favourite project to work on?

Gili: My passion has always been candid film photography backstage at fashion shows. Every time I have the opportunity to go backstage at some big fashion week show, I know I will have a great time.

Bethany- As both your personal platform and JOYS Magazine continues to grown, what does the future hold?

Gili: The future holds endless possibilities for JOYS Magazine. We're committed to further expanding our digital footprint, forging strategic partnerships, and pushing the boundaries of creativity in fashion media. Our goal is to continue inspiring and empowering our global audience for years to come.