Hey, we are free now

Hiii, beautiful community.

Today I’m writing to share a decision that has me really excited and that, honestly, has been brewing for a while. As of this moment, I’ve decided to open up the entire Semanario de Moda archive so that it’s 100% free.

I want to be super transparent with you all. When I started this project, I thought for a moment that I could make a living directly from charging subscriptions to access these texts. However, over time I realized something deeper: what truly moves me, what drove me to create this space in the first place, is journalism and the creation of a historical and cultural archive.

I firmly believe in fostering a free community, and I am convinced that access to knowledge shouldn’t be kept behind a paywall. Also, I’ve realized that the project has the potential to generate income through other avenues that don’t involve putting up barriers for those who just want to read, learn, discuss, and share.

So, what does this mean for the Substack? From now on, this space will work as a living archive. It will house both the memory of the print editions (which will see the light of day very soon) and all the special content I’ll be sharing exclusively on here. Everything open, everything for you.

“But Emiliano, what if I want to support the project?” Donations and support will always be more than welcome! Even though the archive is free, producing independent fashion journalism costs money.

Paid posts will still exist, but now they’ll operate under a very clear and fun logic: the one who pays, calls the shots. If you decide to pay for a subscription, you’ll have the power to request texts à la carte. Do you want me to investigate and write about a specific topic, a designer, or a phenomenon in the industry? By paying your subscription, we make it happen.

Additionally, if you just want to chip in to keep this ship afloat, your subscription or donation will go entirely towards growing the project. I will use that money to:

• Pay new contributors fairly.

• Invest in social media advertising so the community can grow.

• Fund the production of our upcoming print editions.

• Basically, keep this project alive.

Thank you for being here, for reading my work, and for being part of this beautiful community. See you in the next texts, now with the doors wide open.

With love,

Emiliano