Honestly Speaking: A Letter From Our Editor | Harper’s Bazaar Arabia May 2023
Bazaar Arabia’s Editor in Chief Olivia Phillips highlights the real stories of formidable women who share their wisdom on hot-button topics in our latest issue…
“I need to have a real, deep conversation, or else I don’t talk.” So begins our cover interview with silver-screen megastar Alia Bhatt, sharing the kind of statement that journalists dream of hearing. It sets the tone for a pretty straight-shooting hour that follows, running a conversational gamut that spans from sexism and success to cancel culture, privilege and nepotism in the Indian film industry. It’s quite a ride. But we are so here for it.
Moving effortlessly between hot-button topics, Alia’s insights are both refreshingly direct whilst still showing a real kindness and sensitivity in her answers. She is, after all, India’s sweetheart – and one whose talent towers above many of her contemporaries. Two days after our cover shoot, Alia won her fifth Filmfare Award for Best Actress, this time for Gangubai Kathiawadi. On Instagram after her win, she wrote: “To my audience – my fans, my family! Thank you for being my constant inspiration to do better. Always. My whole team, I am me, only because of you. You keep me in one piece.” Show us a sweeter, more humble star. Not least one with over 77 million followers on Instagram…
She reminded us of the importance of speaking your truth when required, but also that there can be elegance – and power – in considered silence. Something of a rarity in today’s avalanche of noise – both digital and otherwise. “The world is full of opinions right now. And I feel people are very quick to judge. But there’s also a lot of good in the world… so I choose to focus on that, and as long as I’m not adding to the noise, I’m okay.”
Alia was just one of the formidable women who we mined for TED Talk-levels of wisdom in this issue. We spoke to game-changing Palestinian-Chilean musician Elyanna, just after her historic set at Coachella, ever-inspiring president of Net-a-Porter Alison Loehnis, and legendary ’90s icon Christina Ricci, who is happily enjoying her major comeback era with Wednesday and Yellowjackets. Both are excellent, by the way.
We also interviewed another icon – Tilda Swinton, no less – and had a beautiful heart-to-heart with Kuwaiti royal, Sheikha Majda Jaber Hamoud Al Sabah on the destigmatisation of mental health and how her personal struggles have turned into her passion project. We are proud to say that honest, real conversations are at the very heart of Bazaar. This is one of the most honest issues to date. Long may it continue.
From Olivia’s Desk…
If you’re not streaming Daisy Jones & The Six you’re not only missing out on Riley Keough’s dulcit tones (understandable, she’s Elvis’ granddaughter), but also all the Stevie Nicks-infused outfits. It’s a heady, wafty ’70s fever dream inspired by Fleetwood Mac – and it’s glorious.
Editor’s Picks
Photography by Francesco Scotti. Styling by Seher Khan
Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Art Director: Oscar Yáñez. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Make-Up: Sharon Drugan. Hair: Deena Alawaid. Art Direction: Yehia Bedier. Lighting Technician: Shameem Shaheed. Set Assistant: Omar Shaban. Fashion Assistants: Imogene Legrand & Christina Aralikatti. Hair Assistant: Lindie Benade
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2023 issue.
