As far as I know there hasn't been any official confirmation from Elle, Nina Garcia, or Project Runway that she's actually left her position. As I said earlier TMZ is reporting that she was fired but there is a good chance she chose to leave on her own. THIS POST IS ENTIRELY SPECULATION ON EVERY LEVEL. Please don't sue me. So, from what I'm reading on The Fashion Spot WWD Newsletter subscribers received an email early Friday afternoon with the breaking news that "sources" had claimed that the editor and the magazines had "parted ways." Hours later the following article was posted on their website:
Published: Friday, April 11, 2008
By Stephanie Smith
Elle is said to have parted company with its fashion director and “Project Runway” star and author Nina Garcia sources said late Friday.
Neither Garcia, Elle editor in chief Robbie Myers nor a spokeswoman for Elle could be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Elle hosted a dinner with Moschino to celebrate Simon Doonan's new book, "Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fashionable You", but Garcia was notably absent.
Speculation about Garcia's departure has swirled for months, especially after the arrival of Joe Zee at the beginning of 2007 as creative director. Last spring, Garcia left the magazine on maternity leave, and began writing a monthly fashion column for Elle upon her return. Garcia was in the office on Friday morning, but by the afternoon, sources close to the building say Hachette’s Midtown offices were abuzz about the rumor.
My thinking is that with the reported tension between Garcia and the new creative director Joe Zee she just figured that as a new mother, a published author and a reality TV star she just didn't need that added professional stress, so she left Elle and they weren't willing to put up a fight to keep her. AGAIN complete speculation. I don't know Nina beyond what I've seen on TV and read in Elle and obviously have no idea what the truth is but that seems a likely explanation. However, according to MSN Nina hasn't resigned for another season of Project Runway (interestingly neither has Michael Kors) but she HAS agreed to a guest spot on an upcoming episode of Ugly Betty.
I'm wondering if she'll try for another magazine job but I haven't heard recently of any other high profile positions opening up, plus would a magazine be willing to put up with reality TV? We've seen how well thats gone in the past for JANE and Teen Vogue and if I were a publisher I don't know I'd be willing to take the chance.
Anyway, I'm off to the grocery store. I'll post more about this if/as I find out anything. I'm sure tomorrow there will be more information in the mainstream media that have been closed all weekend and therefore not speculating. Hopefully an official word will be out by then too!
