Currently writing through her independent Substack platform, Brown merges three decades of elite fashion editorial experience with grassroots community building. Her work spans:
Do Pitch: - Emerging designers addressing climate crisis through material science - Celebrity-founded education initiatives with measurable outcomes - Arts programs reducing healthcare disparities in marginalized communities
Avoid: - Seasonal trend reports without cultural context - Celebrity relationship gossip - Corporate social responsibility claims without third-party audits
Laura Brown’s journey began in Sydney, where her early fascination with fashion manifested through creative towel-styling sessions as a child. After studying communications at Charles Sturt University, she launched her career at Mode magazine, laying the groundwork for a trajectory that would redefine fashion journalism. Her bold move to London in the late ’90s as a freelancer for Harper’s Bazaar Australia showcased her knack for resourcefulness—she famously crashed Paris Fashion Week with disposable cameras to build her portfolio.
“I had delusions of grandeur from a young age. I loved magazines and fashion and the glamour of Hollywood; the whole thing.”
In 2001, Brown arrived in New York with $5,000 and a foreign journalist visa. Her tenure at Harper’s Bazaar (2005–2016) became legendary for groundbreaking covers like Rihanna posed with a mechanical shark—a homage to Jaws that won the 2016 ASME Award. As Features Director, she pioneered viral video series like The Look while profiling icons from Michelle Obama to Cindy Sherman.
This 2015 cover story reimagined Steven Spielberg’s iconic Jaws poster through a fashion lens, with Rihanna clad in a gold swimsuit confronting a mechanical shark. Brown’s team spent six months coordinating with marine biologists and special effects artists to create the underwater set. The piece transcended typical celebrity profiles by exploring Rihanna’s creative process and risk-taking ethos, mirroring Brown’s own career philosophy. Industry analysts credit this cover with influencing the trend of cinematic fashion storytelling that dominated late 2010s magazine journalism.
As Editor-in-Chief, Brown transformed InStyle’s September 2018 issue into a platform celebrating female empowerment. Featuring Serena Williams and activists from the #MeToo movement, the edition included long-form interviews about systemic inequality alongside practical guides for workplace advocacy. The issue’s commercial success (27% year-over-year sales increase) proved fashion magazines could drive social conversations while maintaining luxury appeal.
In this 2023 introductory essay, Brown outlines her vision for independent journalism: “Meddling for good through storytelling.” She blends personal anecdotes about magazine industry challenges with insights about building authentic audience relationships in the digital age. The piece has become a reference for journalists transitioning to creator-led models, praised for its candid discussion of creative ownership versus corporate media constraints.
Brown prioritizes stories that explore fashion’s intersection with social impact. A successful 2024 pitch highlighted a Ghanaian designer using recycled ocean plastics to create couture while funding clean water initiatives. This aligns with her Substack essays on sustainable luxury and her InStyle work with refugee advocacy groups.
Avoid superficial profile pitches. Brown’s acclaimed Janet Jackson interview focused on grief leadership after Michael Jackson’s death, not tabloid fodder. Effective pitches frame celebrities as cultural commentators—for example, a recent query about Taylor Swift’s concert wardrobe choices as feminist economic strategy.
As (RED) Creative Council Chair, Brown seeks stories about unexpected partnerships fighting health crises. A 2023 Substack piece profiled street artists and pharmaceutical CEOs co-designing HIV awareness murals. Pitches should highlight measurable outcomes and artistic merit.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Fashion, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
