Daily Front Row

2010 October 22

EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Jody Quon Out at W

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Yvonne Force Villareal and Jody Quon
Christian Grattan/PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Stop the presses! Jody Quon has abruptly resigned from her position as creative director of W after just 3 issues, The Daily has learned. Stefano Tonchi's #2 was brought over to Condé Nast in April 2010 after a 6-year tenure as photo director at New York magazine. "It was a mutual decision and her position won't be filled," confirmed a W spokesperson.

"I’ve been a big fan of her work in New York magazine, her use of talent and her imagination," said Tonchi six months ago, at the time of Quon's hire. "I see her as somebody who cares as much about the cover of a magazine as the last page of a magazine." Indeed. During her tenure at New York, Quon was widely praised for her grabby covers, which offered major newsstand appeal. Perhaps that's why the first three W covers, with those sleepy grey backgrounds, have been so surprising. Could Quon's departure result from post-Kardashian fallout? Could it be that the luxury advertisers didn't like the overly-exposed bounty of a reality goddess (especially since she's been previously photographed in the nude for Bazaar...and not to mention, Playboy)?

Quon's departure leaves design director Joseph Logan as Tonchi's top creative. According to a W spokesperson, "Everyone's position will be staying the same." Pour l'instant!
ASHLEY BAKER