Harper's Bazaar names Montreal-born Samira Nasr first Black editor-in-chief

New Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr. (Photo: Harper's Bazaar)

NEW YORK — Montreal-born Samira Nasr is the new editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

Hearst Magazines says Nasr is the first Black editor-in-chief in the history of the 153-year-old fashion publication.

She takes the reins of the U.S. edition July 6, when she'll be responsible for content strategy and development across the brand's print and digital platforms.

Nasr says on the magazine's Instagram page that she is committed "to begin a new chapter in Bazaar's history" and will "work to give all voices a platform to tell stories that have never been told."

As the daughter of a Lebanese father and Trinidadian mother, she says her "world view is expansive and is anchored in the belief that representation matters."

Nasr was most recently executive fashion director at Vanity Fair, and previously worked as the fashion director at Elle, and as style director for InStyle. She studied journalism at New York University and now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her son.

"To all the protesters, community organizers, activists and those currently fighting to be safe, to be seen and heard through our own narratives, I see you, I thank you, and I hope we can join forces to amplify the message of equality because Black lives matter," Nasr says in an Instagram video.

"It is a thrilling challenge to be in a position to reimagine what a fashion magazine can be in today's world. And I know that this position places me in a particular intersection that I do not take lightly.

"Great style is about more than the way we wear our clothes. It is also how we see and occupy space in the world around us."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2020.