IHT Online Style Editor Jessica Michault Named Editor-in-Chief at NOWFASHION
This article first appeared on Fashionista by Hayley Phelan.
Jessica Michault, Suzy Menkes' partner-in-crime and online editor at the International Herald Tribune, is leaving her post at the storied publication for greener--or at least speedier--pastures: The editor and blogger has just been named editor-in-chief of NOWFASHION. Most of us know NOWFASHION as the place to go for in-real-time runway and red carpet photos--but the site, helmed by photographer Valerio Mezzanotti, is hoping to change that.
Jessica Michault, Suzy Menkes' partner-in-crime and online editor at the International Herald Tribune, is leaving her post at the storied publication for greener--or at least speedier--pastures: The editor and blogger has just been named editor-in-chief of NOWFASHION.
Most of us know NOWFASHION as the place to go for in-real-time runway and red carpet photos--but the site, helmed by photographer Valerio Mezzanotti, is hoping to change that.
"We are looking to add an in-depth magazine section to complete the instantaneity of the images," Mezzanotti told us in a statement. Indeed, if you visit NOWFASHION you can now see the site has a new "Magazine" tab--and Michault will be responsible for its development.
"Jessica has an extremely precise vision of what the web is today, and her experience in fashion is also amazing," Mezzanotti said. "She knows how to combine both like no other. This is why she is ideal for Nowfashion."
It's an interesting move for Michault, and perhaps indicative of a growing trend that has industry players swapping their positions at more prestigious, classical media outlets for roles at publications grounded in today's digital world. That's a sharp contrast to the International Herald Tribune, which shuttered its site long ago, shuffling their online content to global.nytimes.com.
We reached out to Michault and are waiting to hear back for comment. This is a pretty exciting development---we're looking forward to seeing how NOWFASHION's of-the-moment images are coupled with Michault's experienced online fashion voice.
Update: According to Michault, she decided to take the new position because she believes that "the innovative work NOWFASHION is doing is the future of fashion."
"Getting runway images and video up live, as the shows are happening, is the next evolutionary step of the world we work in," she wrote to us in an email.
But, she added, she's excited to give the site the one piece of the puzzle it was missing: Original editorial content. "The site had a clear grasp of the visual element of fashion but it lacked an engaging editorial content," she said. "I plan on giving the site an editorial direction that will incorporate the powerful images the site already produces with insightful interviews, show reviews, one to one video profiles with designers and... looking forward...interactive photo spreads."
Michault will need help building the site's editorial content up--which means we can expect some exciting new hires to happen soon. "I am already putting an editorial team together to increase fashion coverage from around the world," she said. "One of the things NOWFASHION.com has been focused on is highlighting fashion events from across the globe, not just the top four fashion capitals, and I want to support that with locally written copy."
Michault also hinted that we may have some exciting new projects to look forward to from the site. "We have other plans in the work, particularly with a focus on the Asian market," she said. "But I will have to come back to you with that news once things have been finalized."
While the editor is excited for her new position, she's not cutting ties entirely with IHT: She'll continue to write for them on fashion and luxury watches in a freelance capacity and will also continue her weekly live fashion segment on France 24 television.
