High-end UK fashion magazine, the Bauer-owned Grazia, has dispensed with its A-lister cover stars holding an impossibly expensive handbag and dedicated its latest issue to the country’s frontline health workers dealing with the day-to-day reality of the coronavirus.
The four different covers all feature women – all National Health Service (NHS) workers – in their hospital scrubs and stethoscopes and are cover lined “From the frontline”.
Obeying strict social distancing, the issue was put together by staff working from home and the health workers were all photographed in hospital carparks at the required distance.
Commenting on the special issue, Grazia editor Hattie Brett said: “Undoubtedly there are many heroes that have emerged over the last few weeks – from delivery drivers and supermarket workers to teachers keeping classrooms open. But those on the frontline, most exposed to the virus, are the NHS workers.
“They’re going above and beyond to battle the physical and emotional effects of Covid-19 – risking their own lives to help us all. We owe them all enormous gratitude; and this week’s issue of Grazia is our attempt to say thank you to the NHS and let their workers send a clear message to us all.
“The cover shoot was like none I’ve ever worked on; shot in a matter of minutes in the car parks of NHS hospitals, maintaining social distancing, before Dr Janitha Gowribalan, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, paramedic Sarah Blanchard and nurse Richenda Browne went back to their day jobs – saving lives,” Brett said.
The magazine’s publisher, Lauren Hollyoake, added: “The team have created a powerful issue – all done with each individual member working from their own home. An outstanding feat. Grazia will continue to create relevant first-class content and adapt in order to connect with the changing lives of our audience in the coming weeks and months.”