Harper’s Bazaar appoints first-ever Black editor-in-chief in its 153 year history
Samira Nasr, the former fashion director of Vanity Fair, will succeed Glenda Bailey as editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar. Bailey, who announced her departure in January 2020, held the EIC title at the world’s longest running fashion magazine for 19 years.
In a video posted on Harper’s Bazaar’s Instagram account, Nasr shared her vision for the magazine. “As the proud daughter of a Lebanese father and Trinidadian mother, my worldview is expansive and is anchored in the belief that representation matters,” Nasr expressed. “My lens by nature is colorful, and so it is important to me to begin a new chapter in Bazaar’s history by shining a light on all individuals who I believe are the inspiring voices of our time.”
She also said, “I believe that Harper’s Bazaar can deliver the best in fashion, all while being a place where community can come together to celebrate art, music, pop culture and also learn about the important issues that we, as women, are facing today, such as the fight for human rights, our reproductive rights and the hurdles that we face as we fight for equity in the workplace.”
Harper’s Bazaar, which is operated by the Hearst Corporation, issued its first issue in 1867 and is often dubbed as “America’s first fashion magazine.” Before Nasr’s stint at Vanity Fair, she worked as Elle’s fashion director for five years in the Hearst Tower.
Nasr’s new role came with great praise on social media, although, not without criticism as to why it took 153 years for a Black woman to hold this title.
My gurl !
but damn 153 years though ? https://t.co/z2FKtw0xV6— Janelle Monáe, Cindi Mayweather (@JanelleMonae) June 9, 2020
Samira Nasr’s Harper’s Bazaar vs Anna Wintour’s Vogue US will be interesting.
— @PAM_BOY (@pam_boy) June 9, 2020
Congratulations ! The volume in her speech is an example of our world outcome! Well done Ms. Samira Nasr. https://t.co/DnAMjIUGvX
— Tam (@nomorelatam) June 10, 2020
It’s 2020 and we are still having Black FIRSTS.
Congrats Samira Nasr— “Scottie Beam” (@ScottieBeam) June 10, 2020
Nasr’s new position, which will go into effect on July 6, comes at a time when the world is not only battling a health pandemic, but a racial pandemic as well. In recent weeks, media and fashion brands have been called upon for conscious inclusion at executive and leadership levels.
“Fashion and Bazaar are synonymous,” Nasr said in a Hearst press release. “It is a tremendous privilege to be entrusted with moving this legacy brand into a new era — one that is colorful, inclusive and celebrates the beauty of fashion on every platform — while carrying on the tradition of innovative art direction and great style that the Bazaar audience loves so much. The most beautiful part of working in magazines is the teamwork and creating a community. I can’t wait to get started.”
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