U.S. Harper's Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey To Receive French Legion d'Honneur.

"What?"

U.S. Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey is to be awarded the French Legion d'honneur during this upcoming Paris Fashion Week. The award will be presented to her by Alber Elbaz on October 3 in Paris. The Legion d'honneur (or Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur by its proper name) is France's highest civic honour and they don't give it to just anybody. Past recipients include war heros, scientists, inventors, captains of industry and such fashion luminaries as Azzedine Alaia, Cecil Beaton and Bill Cunningham. So, what exactly do you suppose earned Ms. Bailey this lofty distinction?

Perhaps it's that time she turned over full editorial control of her magazine to Estee Lauder (a major advertiser) so that they could more effectively "communicate" about their products (See the July 2008 issue)? Or maybe it was the cringe-inducing feature on Sting and Trudie Styler's sex life complete with a graphic Terry Richardson photo shoot that did it (See the February 2011issue)? Or, maybe it was the cast of Jersey Shore in all their glory waxing poetic on (of all subjects) etiquette (See the April 2010 issue)? Or, perhaps its the entire body of her work that is being lauded by the French state?

Whatever the reasons that inspired the French to bestow this accolade on Ms. Bailey, the important thing is that her tireless work to elevate Harper's Bazaar in particular and fashion media generally doesn't go unrewarded. Congratulations Ms. Bailey. Your race to the trashy bottom of fashion media deserves to be acknowledged.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Helene]

Dear JimminyK:

Thank you for your comment but perhaps you're confusing U.S. Harper's Bazaar under Glenda Bailey's tenure with the magazine under her predecessor and compatriote Liz Tilberis. Under the latter's stewardship in the 90's, U.S. Harper's Bazaar actually came close to rivalling it's competitor U.S. Vogue and forced it to raise its game. There is no danger of that happening now. None.

My harsh assessment of the magazine is as a reader who has witnessed a steady decline in the quality of editorial content of the magazine under her tenure. It's not like I'm making this stuff up. Just follow the links I supply in my orginal post and see for yourself. As for your claim that Ms. Bailey's "sheer hard work and a brilliantly creative mind which has kept this publication at the top when others have gone under", I'm not sure which magazines you refer to. I would simply point out that U.S. Harper's Bazaar was recently overtaken by Elle in terms of overall ad spend amongst the Hearst titles.

On the bright side, after chronicling the style of Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Snookie, J-Wow and Kim Kardashian in the pages of her magazine, there is really no other way than up. Unless of course, Ms. Bailey is planning a feature on Honey Boo Boo and her family. Given her track record, that possibility is all too real.

Helene

PS I'm also not sure what origins (humble or otherwise) have to do with it but since it seems to matter to you, Ms. Tilberis also came from so-called humble origins. Her autobiography "No Time To Die" might be of interest.

[JimminyK]

What a spiteful, uneccesary piece. Glenda Bailey has worked her way to the top of this vicious (see article above) world from humble beginnings through sheer hard work and a brilliantly creative mind which has kept this publication at the top when others have gone under. Good on the French for recognising it - as did the Queen when she gave her an honour a few years ago as well.

[Helene]

You're right. Why not the Kardashians at this point? And Snookie.

Incidentally, your reference to Kim Kardashian reminds me that she "graced" the cover of U.S. Harper's Bazaar. She also did a really tacky spread channelling Elizabeth Taylor/Cleopatra. (http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/kim-kardashian-style-pictures-0311#slide-1)

Somewhere, Liz Tilberis weeps ...

Helene

[John Agee Paris]

Ouch. But I do concur with you. Maybe this is a new "trend" for the Légion. Perhaps the Kardashians will be in the honor's list the next time around.

Carmel Snow is probably turning over in her grave as we speak.

[Hannah Jane]

It's great to read some honesty in an overly adoring and complimentary blogosphere! If someone has any "fashion" title it seems everyone blindly adores them.
-Hannah
www.hanjanran.com