US Harper’s Bazaar December 2022/January 2023 : Patti Smith by Pieter Hugo

[dfl-001]

My complaint is less to do with Patti and more to do with the sh!+ photography.
There's no depth, no contrast, poor lighting. It's awful.
They could have approached photographing Patti in a similar way as you would photograph Georgia O'Keeffe.
Give us some drama, some life, some-go& damn-thing.

 

[Xone]

i get that Samira and team wanted her to be less cold and more warm, that's why the background and the flowers and the rose cheekbones but Patti is one of few characters that you need to respect her essence and not trying to change her in another way. for sure a more dramatic and interesting proposal on the set and lighting will bring a different result...

 

[phungnam96]

Horrible. But I guess that's what Patti expects us to say.

 

[SanderGreen]

This looks like an image for the suicide prevention hotline.

Which is very apt actually, considering Samira’s tenure at Harpers Bazaar.

 

[Phuel]

^^^LOL

The coverstory is actually nice. It’s predictable, reserved and exactly what one would expect of Patti: from the tone, the poses and the styling. Of course simply slicking her hair back and styling her in a variation of Olivier Theyskens' and McQueen's menswear-cut suitings would be sublime and showcase some glam… but the predictability of what Tony Irvine’s styling is serviceable. There’s a nice B&W shot of Patti styled in a Coach shearling coat and Levi’s ripped jeans, with a hint of a grin, that’s the best shot: It’s warm, mischievous and a reminder of Bruce Weber’s better days.

(And still leagues better than whatever mess France and Italia’s become.)

 

[Zorka]

TAKING SHAPE
Photography: Mel Bles
Styling: Katelyn Gray
Hair: Manuel Oliva
Make-Up: Paloma Romo
Models: Celic Dorig & Valentine Alvarez



US Harper's Bazaar Digital Edition

 

[vogue28]

Horrific! Absolutely horrific, easily the worst cover Samira Nasr has delivered as editor of American Harper's Bazaar - the WORST! This magazine has sunk so low, and how the suits at Hearst continue to endorse this level of mediocrity from Nasr issue after issue is utterly beyond me.

 

[tigerrouge]

Flicking through this online, this Dec/Jan issue is 194 pgs. The ads and the front content are oriented towards the festive/party season, so for once it's glamorous and lively, and has a hint of the old Bazaar about it.

The John Waters' piece is a 3 pg interview, mostly about him bequeathing his art collection to a Baltimore museum (his hometown). Plus Shirin Neshat's portraits of resilience in Iran, and the trend of museums wanting to build their fashion collections.

Then it's the fashion editorials, and every image inside of the cover story is more interesting than the cover shot itself, although probably less suited for the front. Then it's 'Taking Shape' as seen above, followed by a portfolio of artists in Chicago, and someone called Sarah Hoover. A glam jewellery edit (still life) and then a MaxMara article, ending with an archive shot from Man Ray.

Of all the issues produced under the new editor, I'd buy this one. It's not a stunning issue, but it passes the threshold for what I'd consider interesting or different enough to merit a look. Patti Smith on a major fashion magazine cover out during Christmas? A bold choice. Almost makes up for some of the other months.

 

[crmsn]

TAKING SHAPE
Photography: Mel Bles
Styling: Katelyn Gray
Hair: Manuel Oliva
Make-Up: Paloma Romo
Models: Celic Dorig & Valentine Alvarez



US Harper's Bazaar Digital Edition

Funny that this editorial is colorful yet the photos are depressing at the same time.

 

[justaguy]

Under Samira, US Bazaar looks more and more like a catalog you'd get in the mail. Truly sad what's happening here.

 

[PowerDroid]

they are trolling, it's impossible to sell ''this'' I mean let's be real... a fashion magazine is about beauty and well lol... yeah.

This is the best thing they have done since Samyra took over, I think. It's perfect, with the debut of Wednesday on Netflix and all....

 

[Phuel]

Funny that this editorial is colorful yet the photos are depressing at the same time.

LOL Absolutely. Samira's got that undeniable Squidward touch.

It’s colourful, and still dull and drab; There are shoots where the models are in action, and it all looks… lethargic; there are shoots that are meant to exude minimalist luxury— and it all ends up looking midrange department-store flyer… It’s hilarious. They are in desperate need of a competent CD and AD. But good for American Bazaar for carving out depression as their statement.

 

[Deleted member 141523]

Patti by Roversi would have been cool. Can't relate this Bazaar with its new born Italian sister.

 

[Paul Lintag]

Better change the title to Samira's Depressing Bazaar.

She KILLED Harper's Bazaar

 

[Phuel]

Patti by Roversi would have been cool. Can't relate this Bazaar with its new born Italian sister.

Realistically, it would likely just be an overexposed profile of a sitting portrait in soft color-palette:shrugs:

Of course Paolo may be ranked alongside as one of The Greats, but he isn’t that versatile at all, frankly. And Patti, much like Bjork, will likely demand a certain level of creative control over her very distinct brand of image, and unlikely going o be open to some drastic transformation in her fashion sensibility. Again, this shoot is solid— for what it is: For this Bazaar’s (mediocre) creativity, and for what Patti would approve of.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

I actually like the second cover for a more independent magazine though.

 

[kasper!]

This cover image is too bad, looks like a random photo from newspaper not from a glossy publication. She looks like that she has been ill to be honest.....

 

[Psylocke]

You kids are cray. It's Patti f***ing Smith, this is awesome!!