The gatefold cover showcased 10 readers of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds, while more readers were featured inside the magazine, modelling the fashion and beauty trends, sharing their stories, showing off their homes, recipes and holiday experiences.

This idea of women editing their own magazine is a bold step, but one that editor Darren-Jay Hart believes is a natural evolution from the first Real Women issue. “With Essentials championing the real women cause, what better way to prove that the reader is the star of the show than by inviting her to be part of our everyday reality?”

To be selected, the guest editors had to motivate which section of the magazine they wanted to edit, and then meet with the team for a casting in the Johannesburg office. “We didn’t want women who are experts in the areas of the magazine that we cover, but instead chose readers who would make great ambassadors for Essentials; women who we could trust. Inviting them to plan and edit the issue meant that we would have to let go of the editorial reins to some degree and part with some best-kept secrets – not as easy as it sounds, but totally worth the risk,” admits Hart.

The seven guest editors are all from Johannesburg. From left to right on the May gatefold cover, they are: Charlene Stothers (31), Angela Meneses (33), Simone Brocco (29), Mandie Barkhuizen (48), Michele Malan (32), Kanyadzo Middleton (30) and Julia Sediane (35). Despite being photographed for the May cover, the guest editors also headline the features they helped put together inside the magazine.

The May Guest Editor issue is currently available in stores.