Beautiful/Decay was founded by Amir H. Fallah in 1996 as a black and white, self-published Xeroxed ‘zine, when Fallah was still in high school. The publication was born during the explosion of ‘zines during the mid-90’s, and firmly rooted in punk rock-DIY-creative culture. The nascent labor of love covered all facets of emerging graffiti, art & culture as a way for Fallah to “pass the time” in his suburban neighborhood, and discover and connect with other likeminded artists. The twenty page ‘zine was sold for just one dollar (and wholesaled for fifty cents!) in Virginia and the surrounding D.C. area, with only 3 issues–limited to a run of 100 issues each—ever made.

In 2001, Beautiful/Decay was transformed from hand photocopied ‘zine to a full color magazine, showcasing some of the best and brightest from the creative world. The release of the unconventionally titled “Issue A” signaled the birth of a new, more widely accessible publication with expanded coverage. In keeping with Beautiful/Decay’s history for alternative solutions—the next three issues (A, B and C) were funded entirely by throwing underground warehouse parties in Baltimore. Over the next 7 years, Beautiful/Decay collaborated with and received support from a broad array of artists—and rapidly became an internationally renowned & distributed art & design publication. As the magazine grew in prestige, Beautiful/Decay brought on a group of creative minded full time staff working in to further its development.

At this time, Beautiful/Decay also diversified its endeavors, continuing relationships with their roster of creatives in new ways. Beautiful/Decay Apparel, an artist based apparel line, and Something In The Universe, a creative think tank, were born.

With the recent completion of Issue Z, Beautiful/Decay is now transforming itself once again. Returning to some of its original DIY, self-published ideals, Beautiful/Decay will now become an expanded, even more in-depth publication with a number of new features: no traditional advertising, double the page count, a limited edition run of 1500 copies for subscribers, artist designed inserts, and French folds.

Beautiful/Decay seeks to once again re-imagine the publishing industry by creating an innovative model. What remains, and has always remained a constant throughout the history of Beautiful/Decay, is its dedication to quality content and independent spirit. Beautiful/Decay will continue to reinvent itself, constantly striving to provide what readers want in a revolutionary fashion.