Three years of hard work, countless stories, creative collaborations and a growing community have led to a special milestone for KLAT Magazine: the launch of its very first print issue, Modern Welsh Living.
To celebrate, KLAT brought together around 30 guests for an intimate black-tie dinner at The Ivy Cardiff. Held in the private Shearwater Room, the evening welcomed people who have been part of the magazine’s journey, from former team members and featured creatives to collaborators, programme participants and friends who have supported the platform along the way.
The gathering was deliberately smaller than some of KLAT’s previous events, with guests seated across three tables. It felt less like a formal launch and more like a reunion. Guests arrived from around 6:45pm, catching up over welcome drinks, sharing memories through photographs and celebrating the work that had brought everyone together. There was something particularly special about having so many people who had contributed to KLAT’s story in one room.
The evening also had a little music and film. . Once the doors closed at around 7:15pm, Welsh singer-songwriter SJ Hill treated guests to a live performance before everyone gathered to watch an exclusive preview of a documentary by KLAT Founder and Editorial Director, Taiye Omokore.
The documentary offered a personal look at Taiye’s journey, from moving from Nigeria to Wales and developing his photography career to building KLAT from the ground up. Following the screening, he addressed the room, reflecting on the challenges, lessons and people who had helped make the magazine what it is today.
He also spoke about the importance of telling our own stories and having control over how our experiences are represented. During his speech, he took the opportunity to thank the people who had contributed to KLAT’s growth, particularly recognising Angel Joanne Okonkwo and Seren Catherall-Jones for their work on bringing the print magazine to life.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the official unveiling of Modern Welsh Living.
For a magazine that has spent much of its journey telling stories through a digital platform, seeing its first physical issue in people’s hands was a big moment. Guests were able to flick through the pages, discover the stories and familiar faces featured inside, and finally experience something that had been months in the making.
Some guests received complimentary copies in recognition of their contributions, while others had the opportunity to purchase their own.
The magazine brings together a range of voices and creative stories from across Wales and beyond. Among the people featured are Bablu Shikdar, Mace The Great, Lemfreck, Osamagbe (Osama) Izevbigie, Benji Webbe, Ophelia Dos Santos, Alicia Graffiti, Plamedi AFJ and Martin Kurina. Their contributions reflect the different people, talents and communities that make up the world KLAT has been documenting.
But beyond the magazine, the evening was really about the people. Many of those in attendance had worked with KLAT, been featured in its stories, supported its events or contributed to its programmes over the years. Bringing everyone together was a lovely reminder of just how many people have played a part in the journey.
Over dinner, conversations continued, photographs were taken and old connections were renewed. It was a fitting way to celebrate everything KLAT has achieved so far.
The launch also marks a new chapter for the magazine. As Taiye shared during the evening, it represents the end of KLAT’s first youth-culture-led chapter and the beginning of a broader direction.
Modern Welsh Living is the first step into print, but it also reflects the magazine’s continued interest in the people, creativity, culture and stories that make Wales what it is today.
Three years in the making, KLAT’s first print issue is finally here. And while there was plenty to celebrate on the night, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning.
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