You’re in for a surprise. The Border Issue ‘26 explores borders far beyond geography. The lines we cross through migration, identity, culture, belonging, memory, ambition, change, and the search for new horizons. In direct response to the current global political climate, we center these timely stories in conversations within this issue, looking beyond the lines - and at what it means to cross them.Featuring Brandon Ruffin and a global collective of artists, founders, writers, and cultural voices.
What we carry
Photographer, visual artist, and filmmaker Brandon Ruffin’s Migration Patterns looks at California through the imprint of the American South. Shot in the Western U.S., where his family settled after their migration from the South, the photographs carry familiar echoes of place, memory, and inheritance. For The Border Issue, Ruffin’s work asks how far a home and landscape can travel with us.
The Border Issue arrives as TrooRa continues to expand beyond the page, carrying its editorial voice into new formats, new conversations, and new audiences. That expansion includes Issue Zero, TrooRa’s podcast series hosted by founder and Executive Editor-in-Chief Trystanne Cunningham. The show extends the stories behind the magazine through candid conversations with the people, ideas, and cultural shifts guiding each issue.
Watch and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and iHeart.
A border can divide countries. It can define citizenship. It can change a family.
But borders also exist between languages, cultures, identities, bodies, landscapes, communities, and ideas.
At a moment when migration and belonging are reshaping public life across the United States and around the world, The Border Issue ’26 examines what borders create, what they separate, what people carry across them and what refuses to be contained by them.
Behind the scenes, The Border Issue cover shoot was a collaboration across disciplines and time zones. Photographer Sheilby Macena led the cover imagery, with Baidi Kamagate capturing additional photography and behind-the-scenes moments throughout the day. Darria Mathias in collaboration with EIC Trystanne Cunningham, styled Brandon Ruffin for the shoot, while Jean-Claude Cubias supported lighting management on set. The day also began with TrooRa’s globally based team joining our virtual monthly meeting live from the studio, bringing the wider editorial team into the making of the cover feature of the Border issue.
Independent journalism requires people who believe in it. Join as one of our first 100 members during this launch cycle, and help bring the 2026 editorial edition from digital to 100% recycled EcoLuxe print.
This launch offer is available
Sept 23–Oct 2 only
Independent journalism requires people who believe in it. Join as one of our first 100 members during this launch cycle, and help bring the 2026 editorial edition from digital to 100% recycled EcoLuxe print.
This launch offer is available
Oct 6–Oct 16 only
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©2018 -2026 – TrooRa is a registered trademark of Rare Luxury Living LLC TrooRa Magazine, A Fortunest Group and is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
By clicking “submit,” you agree to receive emails from TrooRa and accept our web terms of use and privacy and cookie policy. *Terms apply.
©2018 -2025 – TrooRa is a registered trademark of Rare Luxury Living LLC TrooRa Magazine, A Fortunest Group and is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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