Following the launch of the Acne Paper Book in June 2021, Acne Paper is returning with its newest issue themed the Age of Aquarius. A hybrid between a book and a magazine, the new Acne Paper has been reimagined with a new format and bold design direction: expanding to 500 pages, a revised size format and a cover that unfolds into a poster; in keeping with its legacy as a collector’s item.

Yousef Sabry was picked by creative director Thomas Persson to be the main visual interpreter of the Age of Aquarius brief. This included designing the poster cover hybrid, and over thirty spreads. One group of Illustration were made for the “expanding of consciousness”, a series of interviews about the mind and its untapped potential. An essay about the spirit of the 60s written by Fritjof Capra, how it began and where it is now. All with the guidance of art director Fred Birdsall to create custom typefaces, and artist introduction spreads as well. All briefs were interpreted in the artists signature style.

The main outcome of the project is the dust cover jacket ‘Cosmic Mask’. This astrological star map attempts to capture each horoscopes character, whilst highlighting the Aquarius on the cover. Designed entirely on procreate, this map carries a style steadily built over the years, inspired by a diverse cultural background of Egyptian, Muslim, European and ancient visual influences. This form of figurative surrealism coupled with decorative ornaments was the base aesthetic style that encompassed the entire illustrative outcomes of this project.

The outcomes were then approved to be applied onto the overall campaign launch worldwide with the help of Daniel Lock, Acne Studios head of branding. The cover poster was redesigned into a limited edition silk scarf. Elements from