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gallery
April 18, 2017

See 150 Years of Harper’s Bazaar

By Lena Rawley

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In 1867 Fletcher Harper, the youngest brother of the sibling-run publishing firm Harper & Brothers, came up with the idea for a fashion magazine that catered to the new leisure class of American women that emerged out of the Industrial Revolution. Stumbling across Der Bazar, a Berlin-based publication, which featured colorful illustrations of the latest fashions in cities around Europe, inspired Harper. After successfully pitching the concept to his brothers, Harper recruited journalist Mary Louise Booth, a suffragist and one of the New York Times’ first female reporters, to be the magazine’s editor-in-chief. With Harper’s backing and Booth’s journalistic expertise, Harper’s Bazaar became America’s first fashion magazine.

Now, 150 years later, Harper’s Bazaar remains one of fashion’s most influential publications. Harper’s Bazaar: 150 Years: The Greatest Moments, from Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey, commemorates the magazine’s 150th anniversary with a look back at its humble beginnings, and most influential covers. The tome, available now from Abrams, features a window into Harper’s Bazaar’s first issues. It also includes familiar faces from top cover models of the past and present like Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen, to icons like Princess Diana and Beyoncé. Memorable editorials from some of fashion’s biggest photographers like Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier, and Erik Madigan Heck made it in too.

Click ahead to see a shot from a Harper’s Bazaar’s March 1963 editorial in which model Simone D’Aillencourt is suspended above the Seine in a glass bubble, and more photographs from issues dating all the way back to 1939.

Harper’s Bazaar: 150 Years: The Greatest Moments by Glenda Bailey
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1 / 11 Photos
Lisa Fonssagrives on the Eiffel Tower, September 1939. Lisa Fonssagrives, photographed for the September 15, 1939, issue by Erwin Blumenfeld.
Weeki Wachee, December 1947.  A model floating in the water at Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida, photographed for the December 1947 issue b... Weeki Wachee, December 1947.  A model floating in the water at Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida, photographed for the December 1947 issue by Toni Frissell. Photo: Library of Congress
Dovima wearing a bikini, May 1947. Dovima in Montego Bay, Jamaica, photographed for the May 1947 issue by Toni Frissell.
Around the World Story, Victoria Harbour, Ruth Neumann-Derujinsky, January 1958. Ruth Neumann, in a pleated crepe skirt and a cowl-collared ... Around the World Story, Victoria Harbour, Ruth Neumann-Derujinsky, January 1958. Ruth Neumann, in a pleated crepe skirt and a cowl-collared shirt by Peter Hedges, overlooking Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong, photographed for the January 1958 issue by Gleb Derujinsky. Photo: 1996-98 AccuSoft Inc., All rights reserved
Blowing Kiss with Barbara Mullen, 1958. Blowing Kiss, Barbara Mullen, circa 1958, photographed by Lillian Bassman.
Bubble Seine, Simone D'Aillencourt, March 1963. Simone D’Aillencourt in Paris above the Seine, photographed for the March 1963 issue by Melvin So... Bubble Seine, Simone D'Aillencourt, March 1963. Simone D’Aillencourt in Paris above the Seine, photographed for the March 1963 issue by Melvin Sokolsky.
Flying, Dorothy McGowan, March 1965.  Dorothy McGowan flying through a Paris restaurant, photographed for the March 1965 issue by Melvin Sok... Flying, Dorothy McGowan, March 1965.  Dorothy McGowan flying through a Paris restaurant, photographed for the March 1965 issue by Melvin Sokolsky. Photo: Melvin Sokolsky
Angels 1, Amber Valletta, December 1993. Photographed for the December 1993 issue by Peter Lindbergh.
Model in yellow Alexander McQueen gown, Alla Kostromichova, March 2013 Photographed for the March 2013 issue by Erik Madigan Heck. Photo: E... Model in yellow Alexander McQueen gown, Alla Kostromichova, March 2013 Photographed for the March 2013 issue by Erik Madigan Heck. Photo: Erik Madigan Heck
High Style, Mexico, Nadja Bender, March 2015 Model Nadja Bender, photographed for the March 2015 issue by Camilla Akrans.
Harper's Bazaar: 150 Years: The Greatest Moments published by Abrams.  
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