The Bazaar cover, photographed by the artist Cathleen Naundorf, is only available for sale at the iconic London museum in the V&A Shop and online. It is the fourth of a highly collectable series that has sold out nearly every month since the unique partnership with the V&A first began, says Hearst UK.
Harper’s Bazaar and the V&A joined forces in February this year to produce two special edition subscriber’s covers, featuring a cover by Naundorf, set behind the scenes of the V&A as the museum prepares to move its unrivalled fashion and textiles collections, including precious couture gowns, to brand new storage at the Clothworkers Centre for Textiles and Fashion Study and Conservation.
Twelve gowns from the collection– including a 1958 Dior dress worn by the Duchess of Windsor (from Yves Saint Laurent’s first collection for Dior) – were also photographed with their contemporary equivalents for a shoot across 11 pages of Harper’s Bazaar.
Since then, Harper’s Bazaar and the V&A have collaborated on covers for every issue, including a limited edition Tracey Emin neon cover for the April issue in honour of David Bowie’s first album release for a decade and his exhibition at the V&A. This sold out rapidly and has since become a collectors’ item. The May limited edition cover featured a flower-themed cover shot by photographer Elena Rendina.
For the June ‘New Seasons’ issue, Erin O’Connor also models Dior Haute Couture across seven pages of Harper’s Bazaar in a portfolio again photographed by Cathleen Naundorf.
The collaboration between Harper’s Bazaar and the V&A celebrates Bazaar’s love of fashion history and the V&A’s collection of high fashion, art and design as well as its globally renowned exhibitions. The partnership has been so successful that Bazaar plans to extend the relationship by hosting talks, private viewings and receptions at the museum.
Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief, Justine Picardie says: “We are passionate advocates of the place that art occupies in the landscape of fashion - and vice versa – which is why we continue to celebrate the work of artists in Bazaar and why this wonderful partnership with the V&A works so beautifully.“
Group Publishing Director, Amanda Turnbull says: “What defines the best of the Bazaar heritage is its commitment to intelligent fashion and thoughtful features which the V&A partnership enables through access to its rich historical archives and ground-breaking exhibitions. This is a flagship brand partnership that enables Bazaar to extend its reach beyond the newsstand and into the hearts and minds of those who are truly passionate about fashion history, art and design.”
The V&A's Commercial Director, Jo Prosser says: "We are delighted to be able to offer our customers these exclusive V&A editions of Harper's Bazaar. We are long-standing admirers of the magazine: its original features, beautiful photography and unique take on contemporary culture and creativity is a perfect match for us It's a collaboration that our visitors, readers and customers are going to love.'
The V&A relationship is just one of a number of ways that Bazaar is extending its reach beyond the newsstand. On June 15, Harper’s Bazaar - the official media partner of the 10th Althorp Literary Festival – will host a special event entitled ‘Family Ghosts’. Bazaar’s Editor-In-Chief, Justine Picardie, will speak to Julie Myerson, Hannah Rothschild and Rupert Christiansen about the ghosts that haunt their families.
The June issue of Harper’s Bazaar is on sale, Wednesday May 1
Also available as digital edition through Apple Newsstand.
