annika hein
untitled, 2020 by Odin Wilde
Hello, I’m Annika.
I am a writer and creative director and also the founder and editor of JANE magazine. Through an exploration of art, fashion, philosophy, and culture my work considers and questions the way we’re creating, interacting, and consuming in an effort to perhaps offer an alternative observation that’s guided toward the preservation of art and artfulness in life.
I’ve been making things in different mediums as a response to my environment since I was about three and the element of recording and keeping a personal archive has always been really important to me; I gain a lot of inspiration from revisiting these memories, understanding and interpreting them as past but vital versions of myself.
My sun is in Pisces and my moon is in Libra—water and air—which is interesting because I do love to practice rituals and exercises that focus a lot around grounding. I am a very emotional, highly sensitive person, and I don’t particularly like to be rushed, so I suppose it’s relevant that much of my writing and creative work explores and advocates for slow process and slow art movements.
I am also a new mother, which is a title that sometimes seems to get a little stuck in my throat, as though I’m still not sure if I’m “proper” “mum” operating in real life. Maybe it’s a title you have to grow into over time?
Day 27, August 2020 by Annika Hein
Can you share a little of your life nestled in the hills of the Dandenongs?
Autumn is the best time of year in the hills. The sky is really soft and there’s often mist and fog on the mountains in the mornings. The trees are all gold and amber and the ground is all crunchy with the leaves that have already fallen. The pines that line the trail of our morning walk are probably my favourite. They don’t really change much with the seasons but the needles underneath seem to grow thicker the closer we get to winter. Like a little blanket for the earth.
untitled, 2020 by Odin Wilde
As editor and creative director of JANE magazine alongside your partner Odin, could you tell us the inspiration behind launching JANE?
We created JANE as a response to the media landscape and the consumerist corruption of the portrayal of art and fashion. It is a direct response and dedication to this acknowledgement and the need to slow things down within an industry that’s set to super-speed. JANE is a slow art movement considering and challenging the dialogue around creative intention and consumption.
V for Vahla, 2021 by Annika Hein
Much of your writing and poetry graces the pages of JANE. What keeps you inspired to create?
I’ve never really been able to properly articulate an answer to that question. I write as a response to my surroundings, my words are the way I taste life, process my thoughts, understand certain situations, see the world. I think what’s probably more important for my creativity isn’t a list of inspirations but rather an acceptance of the fact that certain environments and settings are more conducive to my ability to produce creative work.
When working, I can be quite affected by my surroundings and the energy of a space. This is why I tend to gravitate towards natural environments. When there’s more space and time to really slow down, to connect back to my intuition and to make more considered choices and decisions, that’s when I am able to best utilise my inspiration and produce or write things that are in alignment with my voice, my beliefs and my being. This acknowledgement has taught me the power of authenticity and allowed me to fully understand and interpret the concept of doing things your own way and doing them first and foremost for love.
I think I’ve also learnt to really ride and trust the ebbs and flows of both life and of creative output. We don’t always need to be “on” and it’s actually really nice to notice those quieter moments and use them for reflection and hibernation.
As mother to a now one year old Vahla - how do you manage the balance between producing JANE and life as a family?
I don’t, ha ha. It’s a constant juggle, we’re always pivoting or trying to surrender to what’s required in the current situation and Vahla always takes the priority. There’s a lot of weekly planning and we do try to commit to a daily rhythm, but the best thing I can hope for or aim for is just to be fully present in each setting. Whether that’s working on JANE, writing an essay, responding to emails, reading a story with Vahla, having a family dance in the kitchen, I just try to be completely there and mindful in that moment. I think that’s one of the best things I can teach my daughter: to be here now.
Vahla’s Birthday by Bobby Clark
You have a couple of other exciting projects launching alongside your friend, artist and fellow mum Bobby Clark - are you able to share anything about what we can expect with Beïge Bebe?
Yes! Beïge Bebe was born from a desire to build beautiful products for our babies. Objects, art, and clothing that are aesthetically and artistically minded and produced consciously and considerately. As we’ve been working on it, the brand has quickly evolve beyond simple items and allowed us to explore community initiatives and support systems that will bring people together during the first years of parenthood. We’re currently working on our first offering which will include the “No Sleep Club” organic cotton t-shirt, “No” socks, the Beïge Bebe Workbook, the Beïge Bebe Memory Book, art prints and poems, and also access to the Beïge Bebe Village which will include community initiatives like playgroups, reading lists, a directory, recipes, and art practices to do with your family.
Day 26, August 2020
When you have a moment to yourself - what activities do you find you gravitate to?
I love to read, and dance. I also wouldn’t say no to a solo bath.
If you had a message for your younger self, what would it be?
Take your time. Do the things that make you feel good.
Connect with Annika at -
untitled, 2020 by Odin Wilde
