Good news for fashion lovers and enthusiasts in Hong Kong, Vogue is soon coming to the country. International lifestyle magazine Condé Nast confirmed the publication's release, in collaboration with Rubicon Media, in spring 2019.
"We are delighted to launch Vogue in Hong Kong," chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International Jonathan Newhouse announced, via the South China Morning Post. "With the launch of its own Vogue, Hong Kong truly steps up to the premier league of fashion excellence."
Newhouse continued to say Hong Kong has been the go-to place of people who love to shop. It has also been the center of "taste and luxury" in Greater China.
Vogue Hong Kong is the publication's 26th edition. Desiree Au, who has worked in Time Out Hong Kong, The International New York Times, and SCMP, is announced as its new publisher.
"The arrival of Vogue has been a long time in the making," Au said. "We are thrilled to now bring it to the region."
The magazine will be out in print, online, and on social media. Just like its usual content, Vogue Hong Kong is about fashion and lifestyle.
But unlike Vogue China, which version in simplified Chinese, Vogue Hong Kong will carry the traditional Chinese language. Its website, on the other hand, will feature bilingual dialects -- both Chinese and English
Vogue Hong Kong is said to compete with Elle and Harper's Bazaar versions in the country. The two latter magazines are both parts of South China Morning Post Group and Hearst's joint venture. According to WWD, SCMP Group first collaborated with Hearst when it published Cosmopolitan Hong Kong in 1984. It was then followed by Harper's Bazaar in 1998 and Elle in 2012.
Although Hong Kong is one of the biggest places to spend a fortune, its market is overpowered by Mainland Chinese tourist shoppers. So the coming of Vogue Hong Kong has to make its way to the city's economy, influence, and small population.
Vogue Hong Kong's popularity also depends on its will-be magazine cover stars. As Cantonese stars and performers once dominated the Asian entertainment industry, it is now ruled by South Korean actors and actresses, Mainland Chinese, and international stars.
Vogue Hong Kong has to have its effect and impact to its readers who want to read a magazine that mostly focuses on the city's fashion and lifestyle. Hongkongers yearn to see a publication that is quite distinct to Mainland China.
