The new nude-mag that’s trying to bring the real Soho back.

Trust the children of Punk queen and rebel designer superstar Dame Vivienne Westwood to bring out a politically motivated soft-porn magazine. Yep, Ben Westwood and Joseph Corré (who runs London alt-tailoring brand, Child of the Jago) have launched a print-only magazine, Paul, named after infamous Soho porn-baron, Paul Raymond. It’s one of the more original examples of protest art we’ve come across, and is all in aid of raising awareness about the decline of Soho’s underground scene due to increasingly sterile gentrification and soaring rents.

For Joe – who hosted over 100 of London’s most fabulous subversives at the Paul launch party in his Soho store a few weeks ago – Soho’s “residents have all been shafted by the likes of Soho and Shaftesbury Estates. Gentrification is driving away the residents. Soho’s character and seediness and risque nature is being sold down the river.” The magazine itself, meanwhile, is full of nudes shot on location in venues beloved of the late Paul Raymond like Lab Bar and Trisha’s (so you know it’s good). So, check out these images from the launch-bash and head on over to one of the Soho suppliers to pick it up – including The Box Soho, Maison Bertaux, A Child of the Jago flagship stores and L’Escargot Bar.

We managed to catch 60 seconds with Ben to find out a little bit more about this important project:

Tell us a bit about what Soho nightlife means to you?

The raising of expectations & then the dashing of them.

What’s your best memory (or lack thereof) of Soho nights?

The walk home

What inspired you to start Paul Magazine?

Being paid decent money for a change.

Why do you think we need it?

Wishful thinking.

What are your favourite Soho haunts? Where can we find you on a night out?

Bar Italia if ever in Soho. Otherwise at home.

How can we rally to support Soho’s nightlife independence?

By making it enjoyable.

Photo: Will Sharp