At the end of February 2023, in line with Paris Fashion Week,
The French edition of the fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar is launched.
Harper's Bazaar is the world's first fashion magazine, founded in the United States over 150 years ago.
It is also synonymous with high-end visual magazines.
As expected of a long-established publisher, it has been published in over 40 countries around the world, but surprisingly there is no French version.
It's surprising that a French edition has suddenly been released in this time of publishing recession.
I heard on the radio that the luxury industry in France is booming.
Luxury boutiques have queues in front of them, yet influencers are the only medium for advertising.
Now is the time to get advertising from a luxury fashion house!
So, right on cue, the French edition of Harper's Bazaar, the synonymous luxury visual magazine, was born.
In fact, there have been several attempts to make a French version of Harper's Bazaar a reality,
Each time, they were unable to reach an agreement with the US headquarters. What was the reason?
Going back to the topic, it is true that in the last few years, or perhaps in the last 10 years or so,
The creators around me also said, "Luxury is the only thing that's working."
Even if you go to a department store like Galeries Lafayette, you won't find Chanel, Dior, etc.
There is always a line in front of the entrance to this luxury maison, just like in front of a local bakery.
Indeed, one cannot help but get the impression that luxury is the only thing going well.

And if you look at the stock market, that's clear.
Now is the time to take advertising from a successful luxury brand!
It is easy to understand why Harper's Bazaar France was born.
I heard on the news that a new editor-in-chief had been appointed and more than 20 journalists had been hired.
This made me happy as someone who works only in this industry.
This is great news for the magazine industry, which has been in a slump and has seen a string of magazine closures. It also gives real photographers a chance to shine.

I was interested in what the magazine would look like, so I bought the April issue the other day.
In the past, and still today, people buy magazines at kiosks on street corners. Unlike in Japan, French bookstores do not sell magazines.
A kiosk storefront lined with newspapers, magazines, postcards, key chains, and more.
They also sell instant coffee and chocolate bars. The atmosphere of the kiosks is very Parisian.

The French edition of Harper's Bazaar was printed on glossy paper, like a traditional luxury visual magazine.
Next to it was a fashion magazine I'd never heard of called Silhouette.
This is a style of magazine that is commonly seen these days, thick and with a nice matte paper.
I also purchased the "Silhouette" as I thought it was a contrast.

On the left is Harper's Bazaar France and on the right is Silhouette.

An article in the French edition of Harper's Bazaar about the nature of fashion shows.
Giorgio Armani declared during the coronavirus lockdown.
I remember the decision I made about my upcoming collection and the fashion show.
The question on everyone's mind...
I sympathize with the fact that this issue is addressed head on.

From the special feature on perfume in Silhouette magazine. Personally, I like the matte paper and the easy-to-read, familiar font.
When I was in high school, I loved looking at magazines so much that the release dates of the magazines were my only source of comfort.
At the time, my allowance was not enough to buy all the magazines I wanted (and I still can't afford it now),
I carefully selected and bought just one or two books, and just browsed through the rest.
At that time, magazines were filled with things I had never seen or learned before. They were like a treasure box.
Nowadays, when you can get as much information as you want for free on the Internet, I wonder why I would buy a magazine.
Of course the information (content) is important, but I feel the joy of holding it in your hands is also important.
It could be the texture or the design that you want to keep close by.

What do you think?
Magazines are great for interior design information.
Sipping tea at a table you've set yourself while flipping through the pages is just the best thing you could ask for.
Until next time,
Avianto!
Keiko SUMINO-LEBLANC
Paris-based writer/coordinator, Japanese-French translator
He moved to Paris in 1997.
After getting married and raising children in Paris, she is now working as a freelance writer and coordinator. As a journalist specializing in food and lifestyle,
He has contributed to numerous magazines and media outlets in France and Japan, and has also co-authored a book as a translator.