Lara Akkari Named Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Middle East
The media group appointed the veteran fashion editor to oversee the publication across Arabia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Middle East
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ITP Media Group has appointed Lara Akkari as the new editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar Middle East. She will manage the editorial vision for the brand's print, digital, and social platforms across the region.
Why it matters
The appointment addresses industry criticism regarding editorial leadership roles being held by individuals from outside the Arab world. By choosing an editor with deep regional roots, the group aims to ensure more authentic cultural representation.
Akkari brings 16 years of experience in brand building to her new role, having previously led the luxury division at Leo Burnett in Dubai and served as fashion features editor at Vogue Arabia.
The players
Lara Akkari
She is a Lebanese professional born in Saudi Arabia with extensive experience in the fashion and luxury media sectors.
ITP Media Group
This Dubai-based company is a major publisher of magazines and digital media platforms across the Middle East.
The details
Akkari is tasked with establishing a unified editorial standard across the brand's editions in Arabia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. She brings a background in high-level strategy, having previously directed communications for Hia magazine.
Timeline
ITP Media Group announced the appointment on October 20, 2026.
Travel Outlook
This move reflects the growing industry trend toward regionalizing editorial leadership within Middle Eastern luxury publications. It marks a departure from historic reliance on international editors, aligning the magazine with local cultural perspectives.
Readers of the publication can expect shifts in the editorial tone and cultural focus of upcoming print and digital editions. These changes reflect a new strategy to deepen the brand's relevance to residents of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the broader region.
The takeaway
The appointment signals a significant shift in corporate strategy regarding cultural representation in luxury media. Readers should look for more localized content as the publication integrates this new leadership vision across its regional platforms.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments across the Middle East.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
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