Daily Front Row

2010 March 22

Things to Discuss: Publishing Clearing House

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Stefano Tonchi, Cecilia Dean, Anne Slowey
Patrick McMullan View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Now that Tonchi is as good as confirmed as the next EIC of W---a scoop reported exclusively by The Daily last Thursday night---what will come of W’s current leadership? According to several W staffers, McCarthy’s sudden departure came as a shock to even his top deputies, and so far, there has not been so much as a formal meeting to update them on these lifechangers. Well-placed sources inside 750 Third Avenue are convinced that creative director Dennis Freedman, design director Edward Leida, and fashion director Alex White will exit. “[Deputy editor] Julie Belcove is a wreck,” said one staffer. A W spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on those particular employees on Friday, although she did state that an announcement regarding W’s new EIC would come “possibly early next week.” That’s today, n’est-ce pas?

As staffers print out contact lists while working on stories for the June issue, the fashion world is already envisioning what W’s new masthead might look like. Let’s assume Tonchi’s New York Times contract includes a tight non-compete clause. Even so, he may be able to bring a few key staffers into the Condé fold. But which?

Camilla Nickerson, who currently serves under White as W’s senior contributing fashion editor, could easily remain on board. She has the cred and Conde inside track Tonchi will need in his fashion director.

As for the rest? "He loves, loves, loves Judith," said one former T staffer, referring to senior photo director Judith Puckett-Rinella. Other deputies of the Tonchi tribe include wordsmith and food editor Christine Muhlke and bespeckled front-row companion Armand Limnander, who was promoted to features director in August 2009. And attention, Robbie! Anne Slowey, a close friend of Stefano, is a top contender for executive editor at W, her former stomping grounds—or, perhaps, she could even replace Tonchi at T?

In all likelihood, Tonchi will move fast, given that he needs a team in place to start working on W’s redesign. Expect to see big changes well before the September issue hits newsstands.
ASHLEY BAKER