One year ago, Condé Nast International and Nervora unveiled Vogue Arabia, the 22nd edition of the world’s most authoritative fashion publication. A historic launch, it was the first Vogue to break onto the market as a digital platform prior to print. Here, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Vogue.me ahead of the magazine’s first birthday in March 2018.
A lot can happen in one year. Especially at Vogue. As the only title in the brand’s international roster to represent an entire region of diverse countries and cultures, we feel a big commitment to simultaneously celebrate and champion the Middle East and elevate authentic stories to a global stage. This is a tremendous opportunity — and responsibility — and one we think about daily.
Over the past year, we’ve published thousands of stories (more than 3,300, in fact) in both English and Arabic, reaching an audience of millions of people around the region and abroad — nearly every country on Earth. On Instagram, we’ve published nearly 900 posts to the region’s most highly-engaged fashion audience. And our team of reporters and contributors has traversed the globe to bring you the most in-depth, interesting information — and first.
An intimate video with Elie Saab and Elisa Sednaoui in Beirut, celebrating the launch of Vogue.me
It’s an important moment in the Middle East region and in the development of its fashion ecosystem. The Vogue.me team has reported on daily exclusives from the region’s talent, from emerging designers such as Ralph Masri, Rami Kadi, Harithand, Reemami, and Okhtein, to more established names like Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, and Ashi Studio. We broke the news about the Nike Pro Hijab; interviewed leading figures in fashion, from Caroline Scheufele of Chopard to fashion photographer Kevin Tachman; and featured thousands of exclusive street style images from the international shows.
In breezy florals and monochrome graphics, Halima Aden is ready for her close-up.
Since Vogue Arabia launched landed in March 2017, our pace has quickened and magnitude has increased. Our cover stars include the brightest lights from the world of fashion: Gigi Hadid by Inez and Vinoodh, Imaan Hammam photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, and British supermodel Jourdan Dunn on location in Istanbul, to name a few. And who could forget Bella Hadid photographed by Karl Lagerfeld for our first September issue? All of our cover stars have made a significant impact on the industries, be it in breaking new ground as Arab models, or for what they represent on the runway. Case in point? June’s cover star, Halima Aden, who took over our Instagram account and opened up about being fashion’s first hijab-wearing model. Alas, diversity is growing in the industry. It has been long-awaited.
Ramadan TV stars Nelly Karim and Hend Sabry in Cairo for Vogue Arabia’s June issue.
There is much more coming ahead. This week sees Vogue.me exclusively livestream the Fashion Forward Spring 2018 shows. Meanwhile, the 2017 DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize finalists will present their portfolios in Dubai in less than two weeks in front of an esteemed panel of judges. And Vogue Man Arabia is launching online, too. A lot can happen in 12 months – here’s to many more years sounding the voice of Vogue Arabia, and thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey.
Above, regional designers, actors, artists, and It girls celebrate Vogue Arabia’s one-year anniversary with personal birthday messages.
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