A spokesperson has confirmed to us that Constance White, editor in chief of Essence since March 2011, is leaving the magazine.
The reason is so far unknown, but White’s tenure at Essence was not entirely controversy-free.
The Olympics may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the Team USA gymnasts have been forgotten–especially the girl with the megawatt smile, Gabby Douglas. We heard last week that Douglas was being shot for Essence and that celeb hair stylist Ted Gibson was going to start tending to the Olympian’s controversial locks. And now Read more →
When Essence–a magazine that targets black women–hired Ellianna Placas–a white woman–back in the summer of 2010 to be its fashion director, people were not very happy about it. Former Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray was criticized for hiring a white person at a black magazine, in an already unevenly white industry. In addition to eliciting a lot Read more →
Louboutins as Art: Christian Louboutin collaborated with photographer Peter Lippman to bring old French paintings to life with the addition of red-soled shoes from Louboutin’s fall 2011 collection. {Telegraph}
Iman’s New Gig: The supermodel is dipping into our world–she’s now a guest editor at Essence.com {Modelinia}
The Perfect Fishtail Braid: Graduate from the side braid to the fishtail this summer–it’s not as hard as it looks! {5th/58th}
Okay, so, as you’ve probably read at some point somewhere today, Essence magazine hired a white fashion director.
Some black people in the industry–and surely some outside of it–are really pissed.
Essence, for those living under a 1960s-style rock, is a lifestyle magazine geared towards black people. Naysayers are angry because:
A. This white person–her name is Ellianna Placas–is filling up one of the few spots in the publishing industry designed specifically for a black person.
B. How will a white person understand modern black style?
This week, there was not a lot of movement between different publications, but some major internal changes to report on. There must be some happy editors out there because everyone got promoted!
Allure announced three major promotions this week: Kristen Perotta, formerly editorial projects director and beauty director, has been named executive editor. Jillian Mackenzie, formerly deputy editor is now features director/deputy editor. Amy Keller Laird, formerly beauty director, is now deputy editor/beauty director.
At the New York Times, contributing writer Jeremy Peters was promoted to magazine reporter and Stephanie Clifford went from advertising and marketing reporter to reporter, retail coverage.
We love Housing Works not only because you can always find the best stuff there, but because of all the good work they do. Their sixth annual Fashion for Action charity event is coming up and they just announced the details. The event, which raises money for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV Read more →
