STEFANO TONCHI: NEW W HEAD HONCHO

Andrea Grant March 26th, 2010

In what was possibly one of the fastest changes ever, T Magazine’s Stefano Tonchi has been named editor-in-chief of W Magazine, following the departure of Patrick McCarthy. Joe Zee, Kate Betts, and even Carine Roitfeld were some of the other names thrown out as possible replacements to head the magazine that recently migrated from Fairchild back over to Condé Nast, but it’s very exciting that they went with Tonchi.

T: The New York Times Style Magazine is one of the few mainstream magazines – aside from W – that I actually still find worth reading on a regular basis.

The Italian editor’s first day will be April 12^th and according to officials at Condé – “Stefano Tonchi is an extraordinarily versatile editor whose expertise in the world of art, fashion, design, and entertainment will help W realize its full potential in both print and digital formats. We welcome him back to Condé Nast.”

I couldn’t agree more. Tonchi has brought such a well-rounded perspective to T – from fashion and beauty, to food and culture, the magazine offers a unique, always thought-provoking perspective and W seems like the ideal place for Tonchi to expand his vision. Word is that the new EIC plans on bringing some staffers with him when he begins at Condé.

Prior to being the editor-in-chief of T Magazine, Tonchi was the fashion creative director of Esquire, but he actually began his career at Condé in Italy with L’Uomo Vogue, where he worked from 1987 to 1994. He then headed to the U.S. where he was named creative director of Self magazine, a position he held through 1996.