Kellie Hush has announced that she is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia after six years to launch her own retail business.
The September 2018 edition of Harper’s BAZAAR will be Hush’s final issue.
“For 23 years I have worked in the Australian media, and I have loved every moment of it, but now I have an incredible opportunity to pursue a long-held dream to launch my own fashion retail business.
"I’ll be bringing together all of my knowledge and passion for fashion plus my extensive contact network to create a unique fashion brand,” she said.
“My six years at Harper’s BAZAAR have been the highlight of my career so far and after celebrating BAZAAR’s 20th Anniversary this year I felt the timing was right to step down and pursue a personal creative dream. The magazine is in great hands as I have an incredible team,” she said.
Hush became editor of BAZAAR in 2012, taking responsibility for the BAZAAR brand across all platforms, including print, digital, events and social media.
Under Hush’s editorship, readership increased 6% YOY in 2017 and is on track to do the same in 2018, with its total cross-platform audience also increasing 32% YOY.
The brand has also seen strong social media growth, with the size of the audience currently sitting at 1,228,000 (917,000 Facebook fans; 58,000 Twitter followers and 253,000 Instagram followers.
Hush's skills were honed as fashion editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and editor-in-chief of Grazia.
Hush is also a founding director of the Australian Fashion Council and a judge for the International Woolmark Prize, the VAMFF National Designer Award and The Australian Fashion Laureate.