A Letter From Our Editor | Harper’s Bazaar Saudi Autumn 2023
On the eve of Saudi National Day, Bazaar Saudi’s Editor in Chief Olivia Phillips reflects on the Kingdom’s wins and wonders and its vast cultural landscape
How often do you judge a book by its cover? Or conversely, how often do you get judged, stereotyped or put in a box yourself? You have doubtless experienced both ends of the spectrum – after all, such is human nature – but what have you learned from the experience?
Perhaps nothing. Maybe you’ve decided to dismiss it as an immovable fact of life. But just as it’s always satisfying to surprise someone who thinks they know exactly who you are, it is only right that we also embrace when others, in turn, surprise us.
It’s an exchange that our half-Saudi cover star, Amira Al Zuhair must have experienced quite a bit over the years. Her beauty is the stop-you-in-your-tracks kind (sure, she photographs exquisitely – as evidenced in our cover story, Amira’s Ascent), but in person, it takes on a whole new level. We can only imagine this kind of allure has caused plenty of people to underestimate her – but it takes just 30 seconds of conversation to realise that would be a huge mistake. In our cover story, read about her background in politics (including making appearances at the House of Commons in London), her aspirations in that vein for the future, and her beautiful take on how to stay grounded in the topsy-turvy world that is modelling for fashion’s big guns.
The Middle East at large also understands this skewed judgement all too well. As a region, we’re so often plagued by misguided perceptions from others. It takes patience and grace to inform people when they assume wrongly about topics ranging from the abaya as choice, to the cultural landscape of this rich and multifaceted region. As we gear up for another Saudi National Day, let’s celebrate our wins and wonders loud enough for the rest of the world to hear. There are certainly enough of them.
Editor’s Picks…
Photography: Esra Sam. Fashion Direction: Anna Castan
Group Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Model: Amira Al Zuhair. Hair: Jean-Luc Amarin. Make-Up: Mabs Khakwani. Nails: Audrey Chéri at B.Agency. Executive Producer: Jean-Marc Mondelet. Stylist’s Assistant: Gabriela Cambero
Lead image credits: Josiah Earrings in White Gold with Diamonds; Jeu de Colombage Transformable Ring in White Gold with Rubies, Sapphires, Diamonds and an Emerald, POA, both Van Cleef & Arpels. Dress, POA, Georges Chakra
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Autumn 2023 issue
