LAIKA may pass for an edgy fashion magazine, and even shares newsstand space with mainstream publications. But a closer look reveals that not only are its pages stylish, they’re completely free of animal exploitation. As the first vegan lifestyle magazine based in the world’s publishing capital, New York City, LAIKA has a mission: to prove to the world that a vibrant and fulfilling life can be had without ever harming another.
The magazine offers fun content, such as in-depth profiles of vegan trailblazers and beautifully photographed fashion and beauty features. It also delivers hard-hitting journalism on topics like rescued farmed animals, vivisection, the sentience of fish, and activist repression. Founder Julie Gueraseva believes the vegan lifestyle is multi-faceted and deserves to be showcased as such.
LAIKA fosters a spirit of change, and some of its contributors have gone vegetarian or vegan as a result. The magazine brings the community together via its bi-coastal events, recently celebrating the release of its third issue at the Mercy For Animals headquarters in Los Angeles, and holding an “Issue Two Dance Party” at NYC’s music venue Cake Shop, which went 100 percent vegan for the entire day.
LAIKA’s namesake is a dog who perished on the Sputnik 2 shuttle in 1957 during USSR’s space exploration program. In 1998, the lead scientist on the experiment revealed, “The more time passes, the more I’m sorry about it. We shouldn’t have done it.” The magazine is a tribute to Laika, and a message of hope and compassion.
