Vogue To Launch Vogue Arabia With Saudi Princess As Editor In Chief

Vogue is continuing its global domination with a foray into the Middle East. Condé Nast International has announced the launch of Vogue Arabia to come this Fall, with Saudi Princess and Fashion Week front row mainstay Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz at its editorial helm as EIC: Up first for the venture is Condé Nast’s partnership with Dubai-based media company Nervora on Vogue Arabia’s dual-language website in both Arabic and English—Style.com/Arabia will be replaced and revamped. The glossy will officially launch in Spring 2017 with a print magazine.

Of the magazine’s digital first move, Chief Executive and Chairman of Condé Nast International Jonathan Newhouse told BOF, “It makes sense to start with digital.” He continued, “In the past, the focus was always to produce the print product first, with the digital product as a secondary play. Now digital is front and centre and at the forefront of any business strategy.” This will be Vogue’s 22nd edition, with Arabia’s headquarters to be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abdulaziz has major clout on the international fashion scene, already acting as the director and co-founder for an exclusive boutique in Riyadh called D’NA. She’s hoping to challenge a lot of the preconceived and antiquated notions about the Middle East with cutting edge editorials. “There’s not just one formula to follow when it comes to a fashion publication, and I perceive Vogue Arabia as an opportunity to create innovative editorials that celebrate Arab women in our own way,” she told BOF.

She continued, “Perhaps outside of our region there’s an underlying assumption that Middle Eastern women aren’t empowered, when we actually have a long history of accomplishments — though those stories don’t surface often enough. One particular aim we have is that Vogue Arabia will play a role in elevating these stories to the global stage through the medium and lens of fashion and culture. It’s true that our region is conservative by nature, but Arab women are no different than their counterparts around the globe in that we want to feel empowered and look beautiful.”

Vogue Arabia will also assume The Fashion Prize which supports burgeoning accessory and fashion designers in the Middle East. It will be relaunched as the DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize.

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Spied @ Business of Fashion