Fashion Veteran To Oversee All Aspects Of The Magazine’s Print, Digital, And Interactive Content
The Italian version of Harper’s Bazaar has announced the appointment of Stefano Tonchi as its new editorial director. Tonchi will oversee all aspects of the magazine, including its print and digital forms, as well as its video and photography strategies, events, and interactive initiatives.
Current editor-in-chief, Daria Veledeeva, will continue in her role, working alongside Tonchi.
Giacomo Moletto, CEO of Hearst Italy, expressed his satisfaction with the appointment by stating, “The addition of a world-class talent like Stefano Tonchi to the Harper’s Bazaar Italy team marks a further, fundamental step in the growth of a brand that, in its first year, has established itself as a reference point in the fashion system.” Moletto remains confident that Tonchi will bring new opportunities for growth and relevance to a brand that is becoming a significant part of the Hearst portfolio.
Tonchi, a seasoned fashion journalist and curator, has lived in New York since 1992 and has held prominent roles in fashion media, notably as editor-in-chief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, W Magazine, as well as being the fashion creative director of the U.S. edition of Esquire and L’Uomo Vogue.
Most recently, he founded Palmer, a multimedia magazine based in Palm Beach, serving as its editorial director. Last year, he debuted TheWrapBook, a Los Angeles-based publication situated at the intersection of art and entertainment.
Veledeeva demonstrated her enthusiasm about the new appointment, stating, “It’s with the utmost excitement that we welcome on board a great professional and trailblazing tastemaker. We are thrilled for the collaboration and can’t wait to start the journey together.”
Tonchi’s appointment comes after Lee Swillingham and Stuart Spalding, founders of the London-based creative studio Suburbia, were appointed as the Harper’s Bazaar creative directors, replacing Marc Ascoli, who joined the publication in September 2022. The magazine is set for a redesign under the new creative leadership, to be revealed with the September issue, according to Hearst Italy.
The Italian Harper’s Bazaar was initially launched as a digital-only publication by Hearst in 2019 and added a printed version in December 2022. The magazine has its roots in the U.S., where it was first published in 1867, before being acquired by Hearst in 1912. It is now available in 45 countries.
Additional changes are planned at Hearst Italy, which announced a new organization focused on its digital operations this week. This aims to enhance key performance indicators such as engagement and returning visitors. As part of this initiative, Carlotta Marelli, former managing editor of Elle Décor, has been appointed as director of the newly created Digital and Engagement division. Marelli will work alongside each title’s management to enhance the digital presence of the brands.
In other news from Hearst this week, Barbara Digiglio, deputy editor of Elle and director of elle.it, is stepping down from her role. Digiglio had been with Hearst Italy since joining as web editor at Marie Claire 12 years ago.