As KSA leaps forward into the future, Editor in Chief Olivia Phillips dedicates the first issue of the magazine to the trailblazers fearlessly shaping the Kingdom’s growing fashion and art scene…

What does it mean to be first?

It’s exciting, of course. Satisfying, almost certainly. It can cover you in glory, ensure you a place in the history books, and perhaps even earn you some semblance of power along the way… but being first on its own, to my mind, is not quite enough. Nor should it be. It’s all very well being the original (great for the ego, I’ll tell you that much), but it means absolutely nothing unless you’re bringing people along with you for the ride.

There’s a great quote that says this far more succinctly than I ever could: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And it is exactly how we feel launching Harper’s Bazaar Saudi.

We may be the first international women’s title to be published in the Kingdom, but we cannot do it without embracing, celebrating and lifting you – the incredible community of Saudi women who will be at the very heart of everything we do. We are here to platform and galvanise, to inspire and amplify, but it is you who will make this magazine something truly special. 

Dress, POA, Adnan Akbar

Among the most brilliant of these women whose wit, warmth, intellect and talent shine ever-bright, are HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., who shares her inspiring words on gender equality, and HRH Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, whose dedication to uplifting her country’s creative talents is nothing short of beautiful to witness. And to our phenomenal collective of Contributing Editors – Alaa Balkhy, Lubna Hidayat Hussain and Marriam Mossalli, whose palpable love of their motherland has already inspired great change.

A million thank yous, too, to our trailblazing Saudi Contributors; Hala Alharithy, Hayat Osamah, Latifa Bint Saad, Norah Al Amri, and our cover star, Taleedah Tamer, who lit up the breathtaking dreamscape of NEOM dressed in all-Arab designers.

I have always said that Harper’s Bazaar is about fashion, fantasy, and formidable women. Saudi – you are over owing with all three. And it is our greatest honour to be able to celebrate them all.

Photography: Norah Al Amri. Styling: Latifa Bint Saad. Model: Taleedah Tamer. Make-Up: Eilaf Sabbagh. Hair: Sawsan Lilish. Photography Assistant: Abdulrahman Alosaimi. Fashion Assistants: Amira Abdo and Mohamed. 

From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi, March 2021 Issue

You can also catch up on the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia for free by downloading the app on the Apple or Google Play store.