In the comments to my last post, the lovely enc asked me who I’d select as new editor in chief of Vogue, had I my druthers.
Here’s a radical—or perhaps a back-to-the-future—thought. Why not invite Kate Betts to return to her glossy roots?
Sure, she has a job as editor of TIME Style & Design, but maybe it’s the right “time” to come “home” to Conde Nast? She was, as New York Magazine notes, once upon a time, the “heir apparent” to Anna Wintour, but, in an All about Eve-ish twist, left Vogue to become the heir to beloved Liz Tilberis at Harper’s Bazaar—and head-on competitor with Vogue.
Betts’ design team completely re-vised the magazine, from fonts (loved them!) to photographers, and introduced well-written features I truly enjoyed reading (Lynn Hirschberg’s monthly take on her vintage-only wardrobe [except shoes and underwear], par exemple).
With all these provocative changes, Bazaar became unrecognizable to a good number of its readers and advertisers, and Betts was famously let go after only a few issues.
Born and raised in Manhattan, a resident of Paris après graduating from Princeton, Betts has, I think, a winning combination of international experience, intelligence, and fashion savvy. She introduced the super successful Vogue’s Index to the magazine; she was also interested in on-the-street fashion long before it was championed by the Sartorialist and other bloggers.
All I can say is . . . Give Kate a chance.
Here’s a radical—or perhaps a back-to-the-future—thought. Why not invite Kate Betts to return to her glossy roots?
Sure, she has a job as editor of TIME Style & Design, but maybe it’s the right “time” to come “home” to Conde Nast? She was, as New York Magazine notes, once upon a time, the “heir apparent” to Anna Wintour, but, in an All about Eve-ish twist, left Vogue to become the heir to beloved Liz Tilberis at Harper’s Bazaar—and head-on competitor with Vogue.
Betts’ design team completely re-vised the magazine, from fonts (loved them!) to photographers, and introduced well-written features I truly enjoyed reading (Lynn Hirschberg’s monthly take on her vintage-only wardrobe [except shoes and underwear], par exemple).
With all these provocative changes, Bazaar became unrecognizable to a good number of its readers and advertisers, and Betts was famously let go after only a few issues.
Born and raised in Manhattan, a resident of Paris après graduating from Princeton, Betts has, I think, a winning combination of international experience, intelligence, and fashion savvy. She introduced the super successful Vogue’s Index to the magazine; she was also interested in on-the-street fashion long before it was championed by the Sartorialist and other bloggers.
All I can say is . . . Give Kate a chance.
*Does anyone recognize the lyric in the puntastic head?
6 comments:
Sure, why not? You've made her seem much more appealing than I remember her...
Can't weigh in on the Vogue debate, but I'm fairly sure we're looking at The Who for the post title. ;)
Whoever puts my jewelry in the magazine -- that would be my choice.
The lyric is from The Who, perhaps? "You better, you better, you bet"? I don't know why, but that popped into my head as soon as I read your post's title!
Obviously, I didn't notice that Sal had already come up with that answer before making my comment, or I wouldn't have let myself sound so cocky! ;)
Yes--though I'd change the last word to "Betts"!
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