Harper’s Bazaar Australia magazine fall out after bosses left scattered

It is one of the nation’s powerful glossy mag titles, but the paradise of Harper’s Bazaar appears to have come crashing down after a change of management left leaders high and dry.

To describe the relaunch of Harper’s Bazaar magazine in the Aussie market as a rocky start is an understatement.
Confidential hears the title, which was picked up by Switzer Media & Publishing earlier this year, has been troubled behind the scenes.

It has already been reported that launch editor Eugenie Kelly has left the magazine, replaced by former Vogue creative Jillian Davison, while Confidential understands there have been a number of other changes of the guard.

Respected Features Director Lauren Sams has also departed, while Art Director Kristina Harrison is also no longer with the title.

Nakkiah Lui on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Australia.

Former editor Eugenie Kelly.

It is understood these changes all took place over roughly five days with the movements sparking a flurry of industry talk about the future of the magazine in Australia.

Harper’s Bazaar was once a much loved stable in the glossy market but was axed by former owner Are Media last year.

Earlier this year, Switzer announced it had bought the Australian rights and relaunched with comedian Nakkiah Lui on the cover this month.

The magazine is now believed to be operating with a staff of four, including editor Davison, which is a long shot from the lofty days when Kerry Packer’s ACP ran the show and the office had expensive Italian leather tiles on the wall.

With the chopping and changing of staff, Maureen Jordan, wife of veteran financial commentator Peter Switzer, is at the helm of the magazine as publisher.

Australian business and financial commentator Peter Switzer with his wife Maureen Jordan at their home in Woollahra. Hollie Adams/The Australian

So tight is staffing that this column hears Jordan’s assistant, Pooja Vincent, is writing a travel page for the mag.

“It is an absolute shit show,” said one well-placed source. “They have already pushed back the on sale date of the second issue. People are predicting it has maybe two more issues.”

The second issue was scheduled to hit the printing press yesterday but as of last week the scramble was still on to determine who would appear on the cover.

“What upheaval?” Jordan said when contacted. “We are thrilled with our first issue. We managed to put that out under extremely difficult conditions during Covid lockdowns. It has been a very tough experience, business during Covid can be very tough but we are very happy. It is not easy when you have got a global pandemic and you are launching a magazine but we have got through it and I am very confident about the future of Harper’s Bazaar in Australia and New Zealand.”