From the Archives: Nova Magazine (2000) Featuring Sofia Coppola’s “Prom Queens”

Nova was a groundbreaking women’s magazine that applauded feminists and rule breakers. Launched in 1965 by a man of all things, Harry Fieldhouse, during a time of cultural and political upheavals and loud calls for change in society, Nova pressed all the buttons with an impressive tagline, “The new kind of magazine for a new kind of woman”.

From what I have seen in eBay archival sales and through other internet resellers, this glossy mag published bold and creative editorials. If you were into fashion, female writers and authors, photography, politics, art and current events, Nova published articles and editorials for smart, modern women of that era.

The magazine temporarily closed down during the mid-1970’s only to relaunch in 2000, a time when a new generation of feminists woke up from their pop culture slumber and turned on AOL messenger. However, this independent publication only lasted one more year before its final retirement. Prior to its closing, Nova worked with creative up-and-comers such as fashion photographer Juergen Teller and a young photographer/filmmaker Sofia Coppola.

Sofia shot the editorial “Prom Queens” for the December 2000 issue #7. Her style and creative direction resonates with The Virgin Suicides, which I am sure coincided with the film’s premiere around that time.

And yes, that is baby Blair Waldorf, a.k.a. Leighton Meester.