Former Harper’s Bazaar editor Kellie Hush has expressed concern over the closure of prominent fashion mastheads in Australia.
Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle will cease producing local editions under new owner Mercury Capital.
The move, announced today, was blamed on the impact of COVID-19 on the advertiser market.
Hush said she has deep concerns around the broader implications for the fashion community.
“This is more than a media story, the publication of these magazines supports the entire fashion, culture and creative industries,” she told ragtrader.com.au.
“The network of photographers, illustrators, stylists and artists who collaborate on these titles is significant.
“How many talented creatives have gone on to work globally, after being discovered in Australian publications?”
While titles such as Harper’s Bazaar rely on an advertising over circulation model, she said concerns over revenue are short sighted.
“There’s no doubt it takes a lot of guts to trade through challenging times and business is hard.
“But the luxury brands which have pulled advertising during COVID-19 will return to spend, they are not set to close their doors in Australia.
“There are other publications which have been able to pivot during this period.”
Hush said media competition is crucial to fostering a diversity of voices, stories and opinions.
With the news of the three closures today, she believes the door is “wide open” to new talent.
Hush cited Eleanor Pendleton’s ‘Gritty Pretty’ as an example of smaller, agile operators creating leading lifestyle content.
“Australian audiences want local content with a local point of view,” she said.
“Looking at it from a different perspective, there is now an opportunity for independent magazines and digital businesses to come to the table.”