Daily Front Row

2010 July 27

Is Victoria Davydova the New EIC of Vogue Russia?

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Victoria Davydova
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(NEW YORK) Vogue editor coronations don't happen every day, especially in the largest country on the planet. But when Jonathan Newhouse suddenly needed to replace the most recognizable figure in Russian fashion, Aliona Doletskaya, sources say he didn't have to look too far. The Daily hears that Tatler Russia EIC Victoria Davydova is ready to join the imperial Vogue EIC club alongside Anna, Carine, Franca, and Alexandra. At 40, she'll be its youngest member.

Like Doletskaya, Davydova is a proven Russian Condé vet. She served as Vogue's beauty editor until 2002 when she was named editor-in-chief of Russian Glamour, where she served until 2008, before landing and revitalizing Tatler. Newhouse has long been said to be a fan of her version of the magazine, even showing it to the editors of the British original. "Aliona herself is now a brand and fully replacing her is nearly impossible," says our Moscow source. "But Vika turned her experimental magazine for Russia into a fashion must-read for insiders. She has the job, no doubt about it. Her contract just needs to be signed and sealed.”

The only other Moscow-based candidate thought by some to be in contention is Evelina Khromchenko, the former EIC of L`Officiel Russia and a successful talk show host. She and Doletskaya harbored a not-so-secret rivalry until they buried the hatchet during a lively Vogue Russia interview last week. “That would be a really good storyline,” says our source. “But Newhouse is promoting his own Condé spawn.”
VALENTINE UHOVSKI