Editor’s Letter
Superwoman sounds a little anachronistic in an era where feminine power is absolute. In fact, it’s an idealism of the ’70s, when the myth was made and, in reality, a time when women were heavily campaigning for their place in the world. We’ve come a long way, baby. And while there is still a way to go, there really is no better time than now to be a woman with advocacy campaigns and the dynamic spirit of #TimesUp. “It’s an incredibly important concept,” says Cate Blanchett, this month’s cover star, and the greatest actress of our time, who has always chosen strong female leads to champion feminist thinking. “There is not a single industry that is not touched by those issues. The biggest and most profound change that I’ve felt is the way that women are talking to each other, that has really shifted.” It’s interesting to see how fashion interacts with the feminist spirit since its beginnings, from the loosening of corsets to burning of bras, to big shoulders and bigger hair. The stylistic exuberance of the moment—psychedelic print mashups, power silhouettes, trippy detailing— finds its roots in our feminine confidence. No naked mirror selfies, bondage dresses, or teetering heels that undermine the female quest for respect and social equality; on the contrary, a more-is-more approach that defines the intelligence of self-expression through style. The Autumn/Winter ’18 collections say it all, anchored with cowboy boots, snakeskin clunkers, and, if you must, the latest ugly shoe: the trussed-up hiking boot. Whoever said that these are weapons of seduction surely must be a brainy and busy woman.
This issue speaks of this feminine daring, referencing logo-rific “Boss Girl” looks (page 48) to style icons from Katharine Hepburn to Mary Quant who power-styled their way to the top. There’s the sassy speak-her-mind Jennifer Lawrence, newly poised as a political activist while keeping her career pursuits, sweetened with the launch of a brand-new fragrance with Dior that evokes the spirit of the times (page 102). Then there’s our very own YB Hannah Yeoh, deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development, and the youngest and first female Speaker, who is revolutionising the nation with her empowering campaigns. She shares a very personal ‘24 Hours’ (page 62) of being a woman, mother, and wife—before a politician—as she rightfully believes that the home is where all good work begins.
This month we also launch the 12th edition of the Harper’s BAZAAR Pink Project that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer awareness, and goes from strength to strength every year. For Harper’s BAZAAR’s 15th Anniversary, we collaborated with 15 Malaysian designers to create 15 beautiful limited-edition pink ribbons for the cause (page 85), where 100 percent of proceeds will be channelled to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Malaysia. Wear yours with love—this small gesture makes a big contribution to the cause, and to another woman’s life. We’ll go a longer way doing it together.