Behind the Cover with Fashion Publication Legend Harper’s Bazaar Poland.

Ok, let’s face it. Who hasn’t heard of the legendary fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar? Known for it’s high-profile celebrity covers, captivating photoshoots, thought-provoking articles and chic layout design, it’s no wonder the magazine has been around for 150 years and still going strong! Published in 32 countries worldwide, Harper’s Bazaar is proudly taking root in Warsaw, Poland and has been growing in popularity for nearly 5 years now. A magazine of this magnitude doesn’t operate on its own, though. Join us as we talk with Editor in Chief Joanna Góra and find out how this incredible woman keeps Harper’s Bazaar on top!

Read the full interview with Joanna down below!

1. What’s it like being the Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Poland?

Besides having a great amount of responsibility, it’s actually a pure pleasure. It was an honour to have the possibility of introducing such an important magazine to the Polish market. Still, it’s challenging to run it on the highest possible level. The greatest part of the job is being able to identify myself with our readers and challenge myself and my team to deliver content that would be interesting and inspiring for well-educated and self-confident women every month. A Harper’s Bazaar woman is looking for spiritual nourishment. They’re the kind of women that will lead a conversation about art, fashion and culture. She’ll read Harper’s Bazaar not to impress others but to feel good about herself, and I absolutely adore that. As Carmel Snow once said, “It’s a magazine not only for the well-dressed woman but the ‘well-dressed mind’ ”. It’s also an honour to be a part of the great history of Harper’s Bazaar, which is now 150 years old.

JOANNA GÓRA / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2. What was the most challenging thing you’ve had to overcome in your position?

The most difficult thing each time is answering one question, which I need to answer to myself every month: “Did I do everything I could to make the magazine the best?” It’s also hard to decide if a feature, whether it’s a photoshoot or an article, is suited for the DNA of Harper’s Bazaar or not. Sometimes it’s a very thin line. You can’t disappoint your readers.

3. Who would you like to see on the cover in a future issue?

I would love to see Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton or Angelina Jolie on our cover done by a Polish team. And as for our 5th year anniversary issue, I’d love to see Malgosia Bela on it. That would be great!

4. Which designer are you most excited about at the moment?

I really adore the job Maria Grazia Chiuri is doing for Dior. It’s an absolute revolution - the first female creative director at Dior. That’s a big step and I’m proud that women are becoming more and more important in the industry. I really admire what Phoebe Philo, Clare Waight Keller, Chitose Abe (for Sacai) or Isabel Marant are doing. Their pieces are beautiful, wearable and fashion forward - everything a Harper’s Bazaar woman needs.

5. What advice would you give to people trying to break into the fashion magazine industry?

Be open-minded and hungry for knowledge. Read a lot, see a lot. Be humble and don’t take everything so literally.

6. If you ever catch a break and have a chance to go anywhere around the world on vacation, where would you go and why?

If I have a chance like this, first of all, I’d go on a 10 days spa treatme to Thailand or Goa. Not only lying down and massages but also yoga, sports, appropriate nutrition, etc. Also another two weeks of trekking in Bhutan or a scooter trip around Vietnam to explore and see new things.

7. What makes Harper’s Bazaar different from other countries’ versions?

We set the bar very high for ourselves. Harper’s Bazaar Poland is a magazine which is not just to glance through but to read. We select our topics very carefully and we limit ourselves to the mainstream. At Harpers Bazaar, we like to go against the grain.

8. How would you best describe Harper’s Bazaar in three words?

Inspirational, aspirational, luxurious.

Behind the Cover airs Tuesday, November 22 at 19:00 (UTC+1) Warsaw.