Independent art/fashion publication Playground takes collectible to new levels. While many are running from print during these troubled financial times, this bi-annual publication offers a beautifully presented box set of loose leaf prints from names such as Stuart Semple, Phil Knott, Terence Koh, Andrew WK, Alexander Wang, Kai Kühne, Cass Bird and Surface to Air to name but a few. While the “luxury” price tag—$600—may seem steep, the sheer quality and volume of extraordinary work justifies every single cent.

For photographer Zach Gold and stylist Julie Ragolia, the premise was to offer a “personal gallery,” an opportunity to own a carefully curated collection of lithographs, offset and photographic prints that bring together emerging and established talents from the worlds of fashion photography, illustration and art. As its name suggests, Playground is a serious publication with a sense of fun. And in an industry that’s often short in the humor department, it’s a welcome relief to find a project that perfectly blurs the line between avant-garde and quirky.

Produced in limited numbers, issue one is housed within a custom made “dripping paint” latex box designed by Dror Benshetrit. Playground is available exclusively at Selfridges, Colette, Project No. 8 and All Purpose.

For more information, see www.theplaygroundisfun.com.

—Lena Dystant