EDITOR’S CHOICES
During World War II, Harper’s Bazaar’s staff demonstrated extraordinary resource in their quest to keep publishing. Most notably, cover shoots were replaced with illustrations, from Vertès’ escapist imagery to Henrion’s powerful political symbolism, each as much a reflection of the age as any photograph.
The global battle against coronavirus, and the restrictions it has placed on travel and teamwork, have demanded different but equally ingenious solutions. The July cover shoot had to be hastily rethought when our star Ashley Graham abruptly left New York in order to quarantine with her family in Nebraska. Instead of a slick studio production, we asked Ashley’s husband to photograph his wife and baby in the meadows near the family home, in a story that pays homage to the American pioneers who preceded them. In a similar vein, the art photographer Erik Madigan Heck shot our prefall fashion story alone at his country estate, the clothes modelled by his wife Brianna. Both shoots capture not only a rare intimacy, but also the spirit of this unique moment, in which enforced isolation and more time for reflection have allowed us to renew our connection with nature, our families and even ourselves.
Creativity has been a source of profound consolation during this time; no wonder when we asked our favourite artists, writers and designers for personal responses to the crisis, we were inundated with submissions. This uplifting portfolio of pictures, words and photographs, ‘The power of creativity’, begins on page 120. Meanwhile, Bazaar’s own contribution – a limited edition of this issue with a rainbowhologram cover bearing the inspiring words of Maya Angelou, ‘Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud’ – will be distributed free to front-line NHS staff.
For, as Madigan Heck writes in the introduction to his beautiful story: ‘Art may not be able to save us all from the inevitable, but it can help us realise how wonderful life is.’
Elegant simplicity is the mood of the month. Valentino’s crisp white shirt-dress needs no adornment except for a tonal silk square and subtle flashes of gold jewellery. Accessorise with Prada’s slouchy tan bag,
Givenchy slides, a classic mannish watch and a sharp
pair of sunglasses.