For our January issue we've brought together an eclectic cast of rebels to ring in the new year, kicking off with Houston-born rapper RiFF RAFF, who takes to the cover in a shoot by Nick Haymes. We interviewed the Marmite new rapper at his new North Hollywood home about going from reality TV star to human meme to hip pop's great white hope. Karley Sciortino speaks to the least likely rising star of Hollywood, Damien Echols, who following a widely contested, twenty-year prison sentence, has been released and talks about his new film project, which tells of his fight for justice. Close behind him is actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Following turns in a handful of blockbuster Hollywood titles, she now turns her much lauded talent to indie flick Smashed, directed by James Ponsoldt.

Joe Swanberg also selects Sophia Takal, the Star of V / H / S with a multi-disciplinary approach that has seen her star in a roster of films, as well as direct and produce the odd couple too. Elsewhere cult photographer and director Larry Clark selects the star of his latest film, Kaylan Drake Burnette and Werner Herzog talks about getting in front of the camera alongside Tom Cruise in Christopher McQuarrie’s new film, Jack Reacher.

Frida Giannini of Gucci leads the mounted infantry, putting her wealth of experience at the brand to an equestrian line launching this season, while Molly Parkin takes us on an epic journey from Goldsmiths college to Biba to setting up Nova and becoming fashion editor at Harpers & Queen and The Sunday Times. Elsewhere, we get the full story on cult VIP Patrick Cowley, the godfather of HI-NRG disco whose career was cut short with the outbreak of AIDs.

Fashion takes the theme of ‘Against The Grain’, twisting classics and street-wear. A denim couture story featuring Comme des Garçons and Miu Miu and styled by Robbie Spencer comes together for a bold new issue for a brave new world in 2013.

Digitally, we have a bunch of extra content, including behind the scenes videos, testimonies and a very special series of Christmas messages from our cover star. A very Merry RiFF-mas to one and all!