SARAH KARMALI

 

What do you do, what are you excited for this year, and what projects are you working on?  

I’m the executive digital editor at Harper’s Bazaar in the UK, overseeing all digital strategy for the brand. I jumped around a lot in the early stages of my career before settling at Bazaar, where I’ve been now for almost 10 years. It’s been incredibly satisfying to build up the digital side of the business over the last decade, with the help of my talented team, and create something that’s well respected within the industry.  

It’s a job that’s never dull – and one of my favourite elements is that I get the opportunity to travel. I was recently in Cannes for the film festival and am about to go on a road trip through California, which I’m writing about for our travel section on the website.  

What is an opportunity you are grateful for in your career?  

I’m grateful for so many opportunities that I’ve had throughout my career. I didn’t know anyone in the industry before I started out, so I’m really thankful to everyone who took a chance on me or answered an email! Work-based relationships are so important, and now I make sure that I take the time to nurture them. You never know where someone is going to end up, how they may be able to help you or how you might be able to help them.  

Is there anyone who acted as a mentor to you along the way?  

I’ve been fortunate to work with so many brilliant, inspiring women throughout my career (there are so many of them working in editorial!) many of whom I now count as friends. Pat McNulty was responsible for helping me get my first full-time job as online assistant at InStyle, and really took me under her wing. She taught me the basics of working on the digital side of the magazine business, and that you get out of it what you put in.  

Carla Buzasi also played an instrumental role in my career, hiring me at Marie Claire and then taking me with her to work on the launch of the Huffington Post in the UK, while Lucy Hutchings recommended me for a job at British Vogue and was a constant source of support during my time there. More recently I’d have to thank my former colleagues at Harper’s Bazaar, Christina Watson and Jo Glynn-Smith, for their encouragement and wise words.  

 How do you approach getting dressed every day? 

My everyday wardrobe is generally centred on versatile, good-quality basics that I can mix and match. Working in the luxury fashion world for so long has given me a great appreciation for well-made clothes and I try to only spend money on things that I can picture myself wearing for years to come. My approach is very much about quality over quantity.  

 What are you wearing here and what made you choose it?  

I’m wearing a beautiful tulle dress with statement sleeves and paillette embellishments. HUISHAN ZHANG creates such special dresses and I couldn’t resist trying this one on. Life is short and unpredictable – I don’t ever want to miss an opportunity to dress up! 

Sarah Karmali wear the Camelia Dress from our Autumn Winter 2023 collection. Available for pre-order.