Nina Garcia - Judge

[Susan Elizabeth]

Hot off the Press:

‘Runway’ judge Nina Garcia fired from Elle
Critic worked as head of fashion department at style magazine

LOS ANGELES - “Project Runway” style mentor Tim Gunn is known for imparting sound advice to the show’s hopefuls, some of which included, “Don’t upset Nina!”

However, Elle magazine was apparently not listening to Gunn.

Nina Garcia, a judge on Bravo’s “Runway,” has reportedly been fired as fashion director of Elle magazine, according to Us Weekly.

Garcia’s position at Elle is described as working “closely with top designers and stylists and pinpoints the trends of the season in her monthly mission to develop the ultimate look book and shopping guide for stylish women around the globe,” according to her biography on Bravo’s Web site.

A rep for Elle magazine could not be reached for comment.

The news of Garcia’s dismissal comes on the heels of the news that “Project Runway” could be leaving Bravo for rival cable channel Lifetime Television.

The network released the following statement to Access concerning “Runway’s” possible departure:

“NBC Universal has continuing legal rights related to ‘Project Runway,’ including a right of first refusal to future cycles of the series, which The Weinstein Co. unfortunately has refused to honor. NBC Universal regrettably had no alternative but to bring legal action to enforce its rights to this program, including the right to decide whether it is in the best interest of the company to continue to air the show under the proposed financial terms.”

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

What do you bet this has to do with PR's departure from Bravo. I'm sure Elle considers Lifetime rather "declasse". I think Elle is very "declasse" for firing Nina regardless of the reason. (Maternity Leave maybe-wouldn't be the first time that sort of thing has happened to women.)

[ibot2much]

Right before the new PR season started in August , Nina was identified as Creative Director for Marie Claire. I was surprised this past week on PR when they were back in NY before fashion week which would have made it September, they still had her as E-A-L at Elle. She would have taken the new job by then.

[Jexter]

Does anyone know why Nina was fired? I can't see how the show's move to Lifetime would contribue to Elle's decision.

[MFWalkoff]

Does anyone know why Nina was fired? I can't see how the show's move to Lifetime would contribue to Elle's decision.

There are several stories out there about her firing/leaving Elle, but I think it just boiled down to the fact that she was becoming more famous than the magazine, and other staffers (creative director Joe Zee and fellow PR judge Anne Slowey, specifically) were jealous. Hence, Nina is out, and Joe and Anne are starring in the new reality show Fashionista, which basically takes The Devil Wears Prada and turns it into a game show for prospective Slowey interns.

As for PR's move to Lifetime and how it affected Elle's participation in the show, that had less to do with Nina than it did with Harvey Weinstein. Harvey decided that even though PR was his studio's only cash cow, he wasn't making enough cash from it, which is why he sucker-punched Bravo and skipped to Lifetime. Under the new contracts and free of the Magical Elves, Harvey has more direct control over things, and can broker new and more lucrative sponsorships and promotional tie-ins for the show. So suddenly, everything (prize sponsorship, accessories, hair, make-up, etc.) was going to the highest bidder.

Since Anna Wintour and Vogue wouldn't touch PR with a 10-foot pole, Marie Claire became the most logical fit (at least the one who would pay Harvey's asking price), and it probably helped coax Nina into deciding where to land after being bumped from Elle. It just makes it easier for her to keep her chair by the runway, I guess.

BTW, I saw a trailer for the new Anne Slowey show, and it looks hilariously bad. I would get a small thrill if it was cancelled early in its run.

[Shoepie]

So does Nina now works for Marie Claire?

[alizarules]

So does Nina now works for Marie Claire?

offically since september

[Shoepie]

There are several stories out there about her firing/leaving Elle, but I think it just boiled down to the fact that she was becoming more famous than the magazine, and other staffers (creative director Joe Zee and fellow PR judge Anne Slowey, specifically) were jealous. Hence, Nina is out, and Joe and Anne are starring in the new reality show Fashionista, which basically takes The Devil Wears Prada and turns it into a game show for prospective Slowey interns.

As for PR's move to Lifetime and how it affected Elle's participation in the show, that had less to do with Nina than it did with Harvey Weinstein. Harvey decided that even though PR was his studio's only cash cow, he wasn't making enough cash from it, which is why he sucker-punched Bravo and skipped to Lifetime. Under the new contracts and free of the Magical Elves, Harvey has more direct control over things, and can broker new and more lucrative sponsorships and promotional tie-ins for the show. So suddenly, everything (prize sponsorship, accessories, hair, make-up, etc.) was going to the highest bidder.

Since Anna Wintour and Vogue wouldn't touch PR with a 10-foot pole, Marie Claire became the most logical fit (at least the one who would pay Harvey's asking price), and it probably helped coax Nina into deciding where to land after being bumped from Elle. It just makes it easier for her to keep her chair by the runway, I guess.

BTW, I saw a trailer for the new Anne Slowey show, and it looks hilariously bad. I would get a small thrill if it was cancelled early in its run.

Thanks alizarules.

I am begining to think this move may make a better show. If they are aiming higher and will get a better make-up sponser, to name one, I applaud. Drug store cosmetics do not reflect the quality of this show.

[watts]

There are several stories out there about her firing/leaving Elle, but I think it just boiled down to the fact that she was becoming more famous than the magazine, and other staffers (creative director Joe Zee and fellow PR judge Anne Slowey, specifically) were jealous. Hence, Nina is out, and Joe and Anne are starring in the new reality show Fashionista, which basically takes The Devil Wears Prada and turns it into a game show for prospective Slowey interns.

As for PR's move to Lifetime and how it affected Elle's participation in the show, that had less to do with Nina than it did with Harvey Weinstein. Harvey decided that even though PR was his studio's only cash cow, he wasn't making enough cash from it, which is why he sucker-punched Bravo and skipped to Lifetime. Under the new contracts and free of the Magical Elves, Harvey has more direct control over things, and can broker new and more lucrative sponsorships and promotional tie-ins for the show. So suddenly, everything (prize sponsorship, accessories, hair, make-up, etc.) was going to the highest bidder.

Since Anna Wintour and Vogue wouldn't touch PR with a 10-foot pole, Marie Claire became the most logical fit (at least the one who would pay Harvey's asking price), and it probably helped coax Nina into deciding where to land after being bumped from Elle. It just makes it easier for her to keep her chair by the runway, I guess.

BTW, I saw a trailer for the new Anne Slowey show, and it looks hilariously bad. I would get a small thrill if it was cancelled early in its run.

I'm kind of confused. I thought Nina was the one who brought Marie Claire to the PR execs attention?

[MFWalkoff]

I read the stuff I wrote from a New York magazine article from earlier this year, but I don't know every step of the story.

[watts]

I know! All that drama. I think the key to all the drama and hype is Harvey Weinstein. How was that cow able to get Georgina Chapman?