2012: year for fashion magazine revamps

Leading international fashion publications such as Harper's Bazaar and Glamour have announced revamps for this coming March, planning a "major overhaul."

While the January US edition of Glamour features reality stars the Kardashians on the front cover, insiders claim readers can expect a "more trendy and pop-culture-driven magazine" when the new-look magazine, which also has editions across Europe and Latin America and is published by Cond ufffd Nast, hits newsstands.

Harper's Bazaar, which is celebrated for its high-end aesthetic, will reportedly be "unrecognizable from what it looks like today," after an image rehaul, with former British Vogue creative director Robin Derrick being hired to collaborate on the restyle. The magazine, which is published by international media conglomerate Hearst in over 20 countries worldwide, is set to increase in size -- a contrast to the increasing popularity of smaller formats.

2012 also looks set to be an important year for e-commerce fashion initiatives. Members-only web boutique Gilt Groupe's men's spin-off shop Park & Bond's hosted a GQ online store last year, while fitness publication Women's Health is launching its first Gilt Groupe sale on January 6 as well as providing exclusive editorial content to accompany the sale.

Meanwhile, Hearst is said to be planning an e-commerce site linked to women's fashion for launch in 2012.