Nina Garcia - Judge - Season 4

[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.)

[Google]