UK Harper's Bazaar April 2019 : Jenna Coleman by David Slijper

[Benn98]

Two black models each having an ed, in years of Justine editing this magazine is hardly impressive, Benn!

I was clearly being facetious, as you've said the exact same thing in a previous thread.

At the end of the day, this edition, like many others, actually caters to a very defined audience. And to quote the new EIC at US GQ: 'But especially in this niche-driven era, if you try to be everything to everyone, you end up not being much of anything to anyone.'

Justine doesn't even speak about her direction the way other editors do, but the aesthetic is clear can be gathered from the content alone. UK Harper's is not modeled after a trending magazine for all, therefore the standards will naturally be different. If that makes them 'irrelevant' then fine. Somehow they're not on the verge of going bust and can still muscle up issue an above average ad page count, cover certain talent and whatnot.

Just to be clear, I'm definitely not defending the lack of diversity here, whichI'll agree can do with some improvement. I'm defending their right to go about putting a magazine together which does not kowtow to what fashion insiders deem to be relevant or not. It's about the women reading this magazine. I agree the cover editorial is a complete misstep. Especially considering they've been building up Jenna for some time now, one would expect her cover to be a grand affair.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

^ But what is a magazine if you just keep it chugging along it's old dusty road without taking a detour, here or there, for a new refreshing view? Predictable, insipid, irrelevant. Ticking all boxes of publishing cardinal sins.

Yes, sure it sells well enough to that specific readership, but relying just on that means you are doing it a disservice. A good editor knows how to infuse life, and a more modern take on even the most traditional of customs. To me Justines HB feels like it needs CPR. It's like a beautiful corpse, unresponsive despite the pretty. I had such high hopes when she took over, i guess that is why i am so deeply disappointed with it. There isn't even anything good to read anymore, and she is a writer!!

Even UK T&C has more life, and they did Jenna more justice when she was on their cover.

 

[vogue28]

Dull as dishwater! British Harper's Bazaar can do far better, far more superior and far more beautiful covers and cover shoots than this. This is like Bazaar on a budget.

As nice as it is to see an actress like Jenna Coleman making her debut on the cover, I find her such an uneventful cover subject. David Slijper failed miserably on this assignment too. Not impressed... roll on the May issue!