A New September

If you weren't too familiar with the inside work of fashion magazines, here's a little insight.

Fashion mags usually make a bulk of their ad revenues in their September issues. For example Vogue made 23% of its ad bookings in last year's September issue and Elle made 16% of its. This has always been the case and there was never an expected change...until an UNexpected recession hit. So things are going a little different this September, and it's already starting to look 'not-so-good'.

Elle's ad pages have dropped 21% as compared to September 2008. This is a slight improvement from March's 28% drop.

September ad pages over at Essence are down 16.1% since last year. March was down 30%.

Harper's Bazaar - Ad pages might decline 23-26% this September as compared to last year. This is worse than March's 15% decline

And the fashion bible, Vogue, is among the ranks with ad pages being down 41% this September, worse than March's 25%. The discontinuation of Conde Nast's Fashion Rock supplement might have contributed to the decline.

I wonder how poor Anna is taking this... :-(


-Christopher Nic.

The Editors' Letter

I learned my powers of negotiating at a young age. Like all children, I hated to go to the doctor and the dentist. While avoiding such visits was not an option, it didn't take me long to discover that they could be leveraged for a new bag from my mother. It just goes to show that a healthy handbag habit can last a lifetime.

No one knows that better than Marc Jacobs, whose bags for Louis Vuitton this season harkened back to the kinetic '80s exuberance of his early career, with a tough glitz that was more "bring it" than "bling it."

Such resolute spirit also appeared at Balenciaga, where Nicolas Ghesquière's liquidlike cuffs lent a force field worthy of Wonder Woman to all who wore them. At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld's onyx and jade rings and belt packed a powerful punch.

If there was an overarching footwear message this season, it was that now is the time to pull oneself up by the bootstraps...particularly when said boots are over the knee, like those at Lanvin. Although not thigh high, the shoes at Loewe will also lend ready-for-anything glam to every look.

There isn't much a girl can't handle with the right accessories.

For a magazine, the best accessory is a beautiful woman on the cover. This month, we have two. Our subscriber issues feature Doutzen Kroes, a model whose face is definitely one to watch. It would be no surprise to me if she became one of the top models of our time.

Of course, no one is more watched than Angelina Jolie. Not only does she always have a dashing man on her arm, she also has six gorgeous children in tow. Not to mention talent, brains, beauty, and a vivid sense of adventure. In fact, in a recent Web survey of Bazaar readers that inquired which Hollywood actress has it all, she swept the polls. Naomi Wolf investigates why women are captivated by Angelina.

We chose Angelina for our newsstand cover because, in addition to her many global charities, she has supported the fight against ovarian cancer since tragically losing her mother to the disease in 2007.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the late Bazaar editor in chief Liz Tilberis's death from ovarian cancer. In her memory, we have dedicated a special feature to creating awareness about this serious women's health crisis. We are honored to include a quote from President Obama, whose own mother's life was also claimed far too early by this so-called silent killer.

We hope that you will share this story with all the women in your life so that together we can make ovarian cancer a thing of the past.

Enjoy the issue.

This issue is a MUST HAVE. I'll let you see for yourself. & I live for Glenda Bailey for this letter to the readers. One of the best that I've read...and I read ALL of them.


-Christopher Nic.

Kill Bill?

Or Kill Bazaar?








-Christopher Nic.

It's Time For The Olympics! -Fashion Olympics That Is...

Harper's Bazaar joined the millions in Beijing, China to celebrate the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, offically known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad with a spread entitled "Fashion Olympics" taken by photographer Peter Lindbergh. The model was none other than the flawless actress, Lucy Liu. Her wardrobe was the epitome of couture with looks ranging from Armani Prive to Givenchy. Check out the rest of the spread...


Versace Spring 2008 Couture


Gown; Dolce & Gabbana. Bag; Chanel($2,850)


Jumpsuit; Gaulitier Paris. Bags; Gucci($3,195)


Carolina Herrera Fall 2008


Dress; Alexander McQueen. Gloves; Carolina Armato


MY FAV!
Christian Dior Spring 2008 Couture


Get into it.


-Christopher Nic.

Is That Latex?!

Fashion director, Mr. Kenneth Goh knew what he was doing when he was styling this spread for this months issue of Harper's Bazaar Singapore. Who ever knew latex could look so good. I swear, it seems like other international magazines are sooo much more interesting than the States(No offense Anna or Glenda). Well I really just wanted you all to check out this hott spread and tell me what you think. The model featured is Simone Kerr who was photographed by Simon Upton. Make-up by Justine Purdue and hair by Muriel Van Cauwen. Get into it.












-Christopher Nic.