Style and statecraft: Fashion, diplomacy and the audiences we’re missing

The article argues that Julie Bishop's appearances in fashion magazines during her tenure as Foreign Minister were doing more than showcasing her personal style. Her widely recognised status as a fashion authority drew readers into extended coverage that carried detailed foreign policy content — sanctions, UN resolutions, military strategy — to audiences that traditional foreign policy commentary rarely reaches. For diplomatic practitioners thinking about communication and influence, this raises a question worth taking seriously: are we paying attention to where foreign affairs is actually being seen and understood?