Project Runway judge
Nina Garcia has reportedly parted ways with
Elle magazine where she served as fashion director since 2000. The news comes just a few days after the Weinstein Company, which produces
Project Runway, announced the Peabody Award-winning Bravo series would be moving to Lifetime, a surprising move that brought the wrath of NBC Universal's legal department down upon the Weinstein brothers' heads seemingly overnight.
Rumors about Gracia's departure began brewing when Joe Zee was hired as creative director at the beginning of 2007. However, speculations heated up even more when Garcia was noticeably missing from an
Elle-hosted event celebrating Simon Doonan's new book,
Eccentric Glamor: Creating an Insanely More Fashionable You on Tuesday, despite the presence of fellow colleagues Joe Zee, Paul Ritter, Kate Lanphear, Keith Pollock, and Joan Pailey. During that time, Garcia just shrugged it off, explaining she was in Los Angeles filming a cameo on
Ugly Betty.
Your Take
FancastGal said:
There's probably alot of behind the scenes politics and I feel bad for her. There's actually an interesting...
erindreg said:
Ah, this is too bad. I'm not worried about Nina, she is fabulous and should have an easy time finding a ne...
surfcity said:
Man, this is why I hated the ugly cutthroat existence of corporate life. There's always somebody looking to...
In lieu of an outright dismissal, Garcia has reportedly been offered a new role at the magazine: editor-at-large or contributing editor. If Garcia, whose contract was up for renewal this month, decide to accept this lesser position, she would be allowed to remain on
Project Runway for at least one more season. The competitive reality series has just began casting for the fifth season, with
Elle as confirmed partner.
According to sources, however,
Elle is not expected to continue its partnership with
Project Runway once the show transitions over to the Lifetime Network beginning with season six.
Elle editor in chief Robbie Myers has yet to comment on the possible shakeup.
"We will have more to say next week. Robbie is not available for comment until then," Anne Janas, senior vice president of corporate communications for Hachette said.
Garcia has not yet committed to Hachette's offer, nor has a final deadline been set for her to make a decision.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: eonline.com, fashionweekdaily.com
(Image courtesy of Bravo)