Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue Available for Pre-Order
By KBR
Contagion Media is proud to announce the pre-order of Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue, an issue dedicated to exploring what it means to become an iconic artist in today's rapidly evolving creative industries.
Front Cover of Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue
Curated by KBR, Editor-in-Chief, with help from Natalie Wheeler, Marquez Rodriguez, and the Contagion Media editorial team, the ICON Issue brings together artists and creatives working across photography, fashion, modeling, makeup, hair artistry, visual arts, music, and other creative disciplines.
Featuring 11 stories, artist interviews, career advice, behind-the-scenes content, and video interviews, the ICON issue offers readers an inside look at the experiences, creative philosophies, collaborations, and career paths that shape today's artists.
Pre-orders are now available through Contagion Media for both print and digital editions. Pre-order Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue
What Does It Mean to Be an Icon?
The ICON Issue is built around a question that is both simple and complicated: What makes an artist iconic?
Rather than presenting a single definition, Vol. 6 explores the many paths artists take toward developing recognizable creative identities and building careers in art, media, and culture. Some artists discuss authenticity and creative identity. Others share lessons learned from collaboration, team environments, performance, fashion, beauty, photography, or the process of building a professional career.
From emerging talent beginning a professional journey to established creatives sharing hard-earned lessons, the ICON Issue aims to give artists something beyond inspiration: perspective, practical advice, and an intentional opportunity to see the people and processes behind creative work.
“Ryan Dackermann’s 11 Mistakes to Avoid When Working with a Team”
Artists Featured in Contagion Magazine Vol. 6
The ICON Issue features an expansive group of artists, models, photographers, makeup artists, musicians, hair artists, and other creatives exceptional at expressing themselves in an impactful way.
Sean Dackermann — “11 Mistakes to Avoid When Working with a Team”
Photographer and creative Sean Dackermann contributes “11 Mistakes to Avoid When Working with a Team,” offering insight into collaboration and the challenges creatives can encounter when working as part of a team. Written by Natalie Wheeler, the feature is accompanied by photography by Sean Dackermann, featuring images of Mac Miller, A$AP Rocky, and more.
Ryan Postas — “The Art of Authenticity”
In another article written by Natalie Wheeler, Ryan Postas explores authenticity and its role in creative work through “The Art of Authenticity.” The feature examines the importance of developing a genuine artistic voice and maintaining individuality within an increasingly crowded creative landscape. The article features images of Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, the Jonas Brothers, and Becky G, all photographed by Ryan Postas.
“Ryan Postas and the Art of Authenticity”
Maddie tha Baddie — “Interview with Maddie tha Baddie”
For the ICON issue, Marquez Rodriguez interviews Maddie tha Baddie — exploring her creative journey, perspective, and experiences as an artist. As a multi-talented creative, Maddie shares her talent development and journey as both a model and Youtuber.
“Interview with Angel Virtuoso: Founder of the Black Heart Event”
Angel Virtuoso — Interview with Angel Virtuoso: Founder of the Black Heart Event
In Volume 6, Angel Virtuoso is featured in an artist interview by Lea Byrnes centered around the Black Heart Event, offering readers a closer look at the artist and the creative world surrounding the event. The Black Heart Event is a stunning fashion and art festival featuring a runway show, visual art displays, music performances, and more. The article is also accompanied with a behind the scenes vlog by Maddie tha Baddie while attending the fashion & art festival.
Erick Grillo — “33 Questions with Erick Grillo”
In an exclusive video interview, singer-songwriter Erick Grillo takes part in a special 33 Questions video interview captured by Michael Schuette, giving readers and viewers a more personal look at his creative perspective and career as a Latin, R&B artist based in Tucson, AZ.
Chantel Hardison — Makeup Artist Interview
Glam, Editorial, and SFX makeup artist Chantel Hardison is featured for in an artist interview highlighting Chantel’s journey, the world makeup and the creative work involved in transforming ideas into visual experiences. For this project, Chantel was also given full creative freedom to create any makeup looks with her choice of models, selecting La Unica & ALEXIA to feature for her vision.
“Interview with Chantel Hardison”
B Bailey — “Discovering an Icon”
The ICON Issue follows B Bailey's journey as a new model, from the beginning of his career all the way to becoming signed with Contagion Media. The feature provides a look at the development of an emerging model and the steps involved in turning early ambitions into professional opportunities.
ALEXIA — “The Art of Collaboration” & “Interview with Chantel Hardison”
ALEXIA appears as the featured model in “The Art of Collaboration: An Editorial Fashion Shoot,” involving makeup by Chantel Hardison, cosmetics by Lousy Rich and Jewelry Ky Dio. ALEXIA also appears as a model for Chantel Hardison's interview feature, highlighting the collaborative nature of fashion, beauty, modeling, photography, and makeup artistry.
La Unica — “Interview with Chantel Hardison”
Model La Unica is featured with ALEXIA for Chantel Hardison's interview and SFX makeup work, contributing to the visual storytelling of the issue. La Unica is also featured on the back cover of the ICON issue.
“Vivid Visions: Krysta Alyse Hair Artist Journey”
Krysta Alyse — “Vivid Visions: Krysta Alyse Hair Artist Journey”
Krysta Alyse is featured in “Vivid Visions: Krysta Alyse Hair Artist Journey,” exploring her development as a hair artist and creative. With the article written by ALEXIA, Krysta Alyse also appears prominently as the cover artist for Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue, with makeup also featured by Chantel Hardison.
Yosh — Digital Aura Designs
Digital artist Yosh contributes digital aura designs throughout the issue for “Interview with Maddie tha Baddie” and “Vivid Visions: The Krysta Alyse Hair Artist Journey,” , adding another visual layer to the ICON Issue's overall aesthetic.
25 Questions with Rae.L
Rae.L — “25 Questions with Rae.L”
Rae.L is featured in a 25 Questions video interview, offering an inside look at the artist, creative process, and journey as a singer-songwriter specializing in eccentric lo-fi and bedroom pop music with catchy melodies.
Photography & Creative Contributors
The issue also features photography by Leslie Knox, Kevin Fides, EJ Mañón, Sarel Moon, and KBR, alongside the work of the featured artists and creatives. Together, these contributors help create a visual representation of the people, personalities, collaborations, and creative processes explored throughout the magazine.
A Magazine for Artists and Creatives
While the ICON Issue celebrates the accomplishments of its featured artists, it is also designed for artists who are still building their own paths.
Readers can find stories covering topics including:
Artist interviews and creative journeys
Career development in the art and media industries
Authenticity and developing an artistic identity
Collaboration between artists and creative teams
Fashion photography and creative direction
Modeling and agency development
SFX makeup artistry
Hair artistry
Behind-the-scenes creative processes
Video artist interviews
Advice from working creatives
Photography and visual storytelling
“Interview with Maddie tha Baddie”
For emerging artists, the issue provides an opportunity to see different approaches to building a creative career. For established artists and industry professionals, it offers another perspective on the evolving culture surrounding contemporary creative work.
Curated by KBR and the Contagion Media Editorial Team
Founded in 2018 by KBR, Contagion Media is an art agency with a mission to make artists more important. That mission continues throughout Vol. 6, where the focus remains firmly on the artists themselves—their stories, ideas, careers, collaborations, challenges, and creative achievements.
The Art of Collaboration: An Editorial Fashion Shoot
KBR, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Contagion Media, curated the ICON Issue alongside the Contagion Media editorial team. Special thanks go to Natalie Wheeler, Marquez Rodriguez, and Dylan Simon for their editing contributions to the issue.
Print and Digital Editions Available for Pre-Order
Contagion Magazine Vol. 6: The ICON Issue is available to pre-order in both print and digital formats. Print orders will ship September 18, 2026. Digital orders will be delivered by email September 18, 2026.
Readers are encouraged to pre-order before the official release, as pricing will increase after the magazine officially releases. The official Contagion Media product page currently lists the magazine starting at $4.99.
Published by KBR on September 10, 2026
