Harper's Bazaar US is an iconic fashion magazine that has made a significant impact on the industry throughout its history with its bold artistic and avant-garde approach. Under the leadership of influential editors like Carmel Snow and Diana Vreeland, the publication has consistently showcased cutting-edge fashion, captivating photography, and insightful commentary.
Carmel Snow, who served as the editor-in-chief from 1934 to 1958, transformed Harper's Bazaar into a pioneering fashion magazine. Snow had a keen eye for talent and nurtured the careers of numerous renowned photographers and designers. She embraced a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, introducing innovative layouts and a distinctive blend of high fashion and art. Carmel Snow is best known for coining the phrase "New Look", referring to Christian Dior's debut collection from 1947. By exclaiming, "It's quite a revolution, dear Christian! Your dresses have such a new look!", Snow not only captured the essence of the post-war fashion movement but also propelled Dior and his groundbreaking designs into the spotlight. The "New Look" literally has since become iconic. Diana Vreeland, who worked as a fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar during Carmel Snow's tenure and later took the reins as Vogue US editor-in-chief, brought her unparalleled creativity and eccentricity to the magazine. Vreeland was a visionary, renowned for her bold editorials and ability to predict fashion trends. She infused the pages of Harper's Bazaar with her own personal style, emphasizing avant-garde fashion and theatrical storytelling. Vreeland's imaginative approach attracted a new audience and cemented the magazine's reputation as a true fashion authority.
Photographers who contributed to the visual richness and innovation of Harper's Bazaar include Richard Avedon (his editorial "Dovima and the Elephants" from 1955 left a lasting impact on the industry and became one his most celebrated works), Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Lillian Bassman, Hiro, Melvin Sokolsky (his surreal "Bubble" series, created for Harper's Bazaar in 1963, showcased models seemingly floating in transparent bubbles and pushed the boundaries of traditional fashion photography) and Gleb Derujinsky, among many others. Their distinctive styles and artistic visions helped shape the magazine's identity and influence the fashion industry as a whole.