Hearst names Samira Nasr new editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar US

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jun 10, 2020

Hearst Magazines has named Samira Nasr to be the new editor-in-chief of the US edition of Harper’s Bazaar, the group’s single most famous fashion magazine.

The announcement marks the first time that a person of color will be in charge of the 153-year-old publication. And comes almost six months after Hearst announced that UK born Glenda Bailey would be retiring as editor in chief after two decades in charge of the fashion bible.
 
Nasr will be in charge of “overseeing content strategy and development across the brand’s print and digital platforms,” Hearst said in a release.

Nasr will report to Hearst Magazines Chief Content Officer Kate Lewis and begins her new role July 6. 

“Fashion and Bazaar are synonymous,” Nasr said. “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.”
 
Prior to joining Harper’s, Nasr was executive fashion director at Vanity Fair, managing that magazine’s fashion department and all fashion content. Notably styling iconic covers such as the 25th Annual Hollywood issue, the spring style issue featuring cover star Lupita Nyong’o, and the May 2019 issue with Nicole Kidman.

On her own Instagram account, Nasr posted a video in which she noted: “at this particular moment in our nation’s history, I am honored to be at the helm of such an iconic brand. As the proud daughter of a Lebanese father and a Trinidadian mother, my world view is expansive and anchored in the belief that representation matters…. To all the protestors, community organizers, activists and those currently fighting to be safe and seen and heard through our own narrative, I see you, Ithank you and I hope we can join forces and amplify the message of equality because Black Lives Matter.
 
A tremendously popular figure within the fashion industry, Nasr is known equally for her elegant manners as her refined style. She is in effect returning home to Hearst, since she was previously fashion director at Elle for five years. Prior to that, Nasr was style director for InStyle. A giant media corporation that includes cable and TV networks, Hearst also produces such iconic titles as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Marie Claire, Men’s Health, and O, The Oprah Magazine.
 
Besides working with major fashion titles, Nasr has also styled campaigns for fashion and beauty brands, including Laura Mercier, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Clarins. She began her career in fashion working as an assistant to Grace Coddington, former creative director of Vogue, after earning a graduate degree in journalism at New York University.
 
Born in Montreal, Canada, Nasr currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, with her son.