Glamour’s new chief editor
A BRAND new Glamour magazine is being launched today, under the vision of its new editor-in-chief Asanda Sizani – the first black editor of this international brand – introducing new pages, new faces and new conversations.
The cover features South African atist Nadia Nakai, alongside lawyer and activist Thando Hopa.
“There are no words to describe it. I am excited, hopeful and optimistic about the future of Glamour,” said Sizani.
“I understand the significance of this moment and being the first black editor-in-chief of this international brand.
“As a black girl from King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, I didn’t grow up exposed to the media, agencies and entertainment.
“I had to grow into it, do research and put in the work.
“I have a responsibility as the magazine’s first black editor to make a positive impact, to hopefully inspire black and brown girls and boys out there from different backgrounds who have had to fight to get their voices heard in the creative industries, and create platforms to open doors of opportunity for them.”
The 33-year-old did a design foundation course at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and later studied art direction at the Red and Yellow School of Advertising.
She was the fashion editor of Drum magazine for two years, before taking up the same role at Elle magazine.
After being a fashion editor, Sizani went on to become the fashion director at Elle magazine, and then editor-in-chief at Glamour.
“I always prepped myself to play this role. At times, I was expected to jump in and fill that responsibility. I was groomed for this job.
“Constantly questioning other editors, I would be curious and seek out mentors because it is something I wanted for myself. This role is a bigger and added responsibility, but I am definitely equipped.”
She said Glamour was refreshing its pages to reflect the spirit of its legacy built on feminism.
It would now become more inclusive, “body positive, dynamic, empowering and be at the cutting edge of trends”.
“It’s for women who pay attention to the world around them, who engage and who are actively involved.
“They love the skin they’re in, and also happen to live each day with a good dose of glamour,” Sizani said.
“We are speaking about sisters celebrating sisters.
“This is a pivotal time, when we can no longer think about us in a singular form; we need the collective power of other women,” she added.
The magazine would be divided into four sections: #Look, #Feel, #Live and #Think, Sizani pointed out.