The theme of Forty5’s eighth issue is performance. Why, how, when, and for whom do we perform? Our reflections begin with the literal: “circus,” spectacle, staged acts, and gradually expand into the conceptual, exploring the roles we play in our everyday lives and the ways we present ourselves to others. This issue prioritizes playfulness, borderline clowning around, while continuing to elevate the publication’s creative ambition and critical voice. In the next pages, you will encounter works of fashion, art, technology & more that we have carefully written and curated to give you this issue, touching upon topics of fashion criticism, music, and identity.