Monday, January 21, 2008

Good Things Come to Those Who ELLE

If this isn't the most exciting news that I've heard in a long time, then, well, someone sack Carine Roitfeld.

I mean it. Brace yourselves.

UK ELLE Magazine has secured Discotheque Confusion's resident girl crush Chloe Sevigny as their "style advisor", and to promote this will be March's covergirl.

Er, "Style Advisor". I know, it's easy to think this is just one of those labels handed out willy nilly just like Jessica Simpson and Lauren Conrad are fashion designers.


But this is Chloe Sevigny, and Lorraine Candy, ELLE's ed is quick to defend this label.

“‘Style advisor’ is not just a title - she’ll really be doing it, she has a column. She is not someone who’s instantly recognisable - she couldn’t go on a Glamour or Cosmopolitan cover, she could only go on an Elle cover to be honest. But what we’re saying with this [signing] is that this magazine is about fashion and style - and next month we’ve got someone who the author Jay McInerney once called ‘the most stylish girl in the world’ on the cover.”


ELLE magazine are seriously branching out, and this is one wise move, showing themselves to have more pounds worth of quirk than Vogue ever will posess (I know, it isn't hard).


Granted, they'll never ever stand alongside the likes of Tank, Lula, Wonderland, i-D, or 10 magazine, but in my opinion, ELLE is the most innotive and creative "mainstream" fashion magazine out there. I don't know about you, but everything starting with their layouts just gives me the hots.


As hinted by James Silver in an article for todays The Guardian, glossies such as ELLE has suffered from the remarkable success that is Grazia magazine. The weekly magazine's circulation figures have risen by 26% per year, all since it's UK launch in 2005.


You may have noticed the relatively new "Mademoiselle" column, titled "Confessions of an ELLEgirl" which follows a "stylish, cool and connected" London scenester has been added to the magazine's features, and by throwing Chloe Sevigny into the mix, in addition to new photographers such as Mary McCartney, the magazine will certainly garter some interest from readers who like to think of themselves as fashion aware rather than "100 ways to boost your sex life" aware as they would be reading Cosmopoliton and Glamour.


Last year's cover stars saw a slew of not so original cover stars, with Paris Hilton, Mischa Barton and Keira Knightley all, er, "gracing" the front cover. However 2008 is off to a more promising start with this month's cover star Karolina Kurkova (Not exactly Missy Raider, but we'll leave that to POP) to show they're readers "yes, you and I both know about the models too!" The covers will also be getting a makeover, which you may have noticed already, starting with the refreshingly stark front of the current issue, and will have a "less cluttered look".

28 comments:

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I am ridiculously excited so now. Finally someone who actually has personal style given a cover and a position.

Ella Gregory said...

I do love a bit of Chloe
And I don't care what anyone says Elle (UK) is a million times better than Vogue (UK) so it may not be as prestigious but it has way more guts and it doesn't make me litterally want to fall asleep/ask for my money back!
x x x x
I can't wait to see the next issue

Mash said...

I love chloé &hearts

sridevi said...

I have to agree with the above! I am excited.

And yes, mocs kindof complete my life. What's even better is that I got mine for 10$ at UO :)

PS. I linked you, wonderful blog!

Mónica said...

I think both magazines focus on different ways of seeing and telling fashion. That's why I don't think it's really worth compare them (I mean, Paris would never appear in a Vogue UK cover-hopefully). I am so happy about these Chloè news!! I can't believe it! I didn't like her style too much at first, but now I like it a lot, so I am very glad for her. already waiting to buy UK elle.

Unknown said...

you know, the first time i actually thought of an elle as a 'cover' rather than a celebrity-du-jour was the keira knightly for january. of course she was a little whored out with the Atonement buzz but the gucci jacket was so badass! Now the karolina kurkova (sp?) actually has me itching to dole out money doth saved for i.d, nylon etc...

but elle, if ur up to the challenge, my wallet can take it!

maya said...

I prefer uk elle to uk vogue too. Do you know who the 'elle intern' is? it's really bugging me!

Siru said...

i hope other magazines would also stop having celebs on their covers - it has nothing to do with fashion and everything with PR and gossips.

juliet xxx

María said...

Are you telling me that I'll have to suscribe to Elle UK? LOL, this is great news, really.

Tinsley said...

After seeing the karolina kurkova elle I was completely thrown off track - so different and brilliant (I loved the heart). Although I think they could have done better with Chloe (come on I mean its Chloe Sevigny!) I cant wait to pick this up at the newstands!

Oh, btw, I think I figured out how to add friends on tFS :)

Fashion Tidbits said...

love the less-cluttered look! it's gonna be fab!

Aisha said...

Now those are REALLY great news, I can't think of anyone better than Chloe to be an style adviser for Elle (:

can't wait!

Secretista said...

Yay!! ;]

Annabel said...

i might have just exploded.
i am so excited about this.....!!

Andrea Martínez Maugard said...

I absolutelly love this. Thank God for Chloe!

Andrea Martínez Maugard said...

Hey, I'm not in your links :(

Héloïse J. said...

i luv the new look of Elle! a total makeover is done here :) lovely.. can;t wait for the chloe results to show. (i adore the sketches with the fine line on the cover) <3

Anonymous said...

As much as I like this new idea, I actually think this will confuse the target audience of the magazine who by and large are not edgy fashionistas....
I'll read the column of course...

Miss at la Playa said...

I bought that issue in the airport and I haven't finished reading it! It is so interesting, and the editorials are very good too. Was the model Caroline Winberg in one of them? I hadn't seen her for years!

But i didn't quite understand the Mademoiselle Article... who is she?

Lana said...

She's looking quite hot on that cover. And loving this REAL working bee :)

A. said...

i am so excited about this little, well, HUGE, reinvention.

it's like my dreams are coming true.

ps. i think ive fixed my last post so that the photos show up. let me know if it works for you ;]

xo

emsie said...

i am a elle subscriber (christmas present!) and loving these new changes

the new subscriber covers seem to be gorgeous so far :)

oh and i love chloe
great move

x

Blue Floppy Hat said...

Elle is still the brand that gave us the brilliance that was ElleGirl...that coolness came from somewhere after all..

Liberty London Girl said...

I'm not a fan of the kind of hmm, ironic clothing that can be admired on Chloe Sevigny but actually just makes her look like her house burnt down & she had to get a last minute outfit from Cancer Research whilst herr eyes were still blinded by the smoke! Altho she gets points for having style chutzpah LLG xx

Lauren said...

i love chloe!!! she just has "it" - she automatically looks good in anything she puts on and is just soo cool! i love her :)

riz said...

i'm surprised chloe hasn't been more in the editorial spotlight

Romany said...

Oh I love Chloe Sevigny! And Elle UK! Sounds like a match made in heaven to me. ;-)
Love your blog, btw.
Romany
xx

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.