For the past few months rumours have been circulating speculating whether Dasha Zhukova will launch a new magazine and finally, Zhukova have confirmed that the reports are true.
Taking the name of her Moscow museum, the magazine will be called 'Garage' and is set to launch in September and will explore the former POP editor's love of art but with a strong fashion dimension. "It's going to be a girls' magazine," she said. "I have more ideas than I know what to do with. I guess I'm a bit of a fantasist and a daydreamer — all sorts of things come to me during the day."
Rumour has it, Dasha Zhukova has been working on a new magazine - quietly, of course, as no one can say for sure what the name will be, or even what it will cover. Fashion? Culture? The arts? It's up for speculation. However, Grazia Editor-at-Large Melanie Rickeytweeted yesterday: "Just heard first issue of Dasha Zhukova's magazine is published next month - a June edition. No idea of its name yet. Anyone know it?" Whatever Zhukova, the former editor of Pop, has up her sleeve, we're guessing it'll fly off the stands - if for no other reason than to let readers figure out what exactly it is.
After announcing her resignation as editor of Vogue Russia at the end of July, Aliona Doletskaya refrained from revealing what her next move will be. But since the announcement of Dasha Zhukova's departure from Pop, many are speculating that she is set to take over as the magazine's new editor-in-chief.
The rumour sparked after Derek Blasberg recently tweeted: “In today’s completely unsubstantiated rumors: Aliona Doletskaya, former editor-in-chief of Russian Vogue, is vying for the top gig at POP.” Despite causing a solid increase in the number of advertisers and ad pages in the magazine, many criticised Zhukova for moving the magazine down a strong arty route, so speculation of Doletskaya's move to the magazine has pleased many who want the magazine to return to its fashion heritage.
This week, Hilary Alexander revealed that after less than two years, Dasha Zhukova has decided to leave her position as editor-in-chief at Pop. The news has since been confirmed by the magazine's spokesperson, who has revealed that Zhukova is leaving to focus on digital arts projects, and the magazine's editorial director Ashley Heath will stand in, in the meantime.
“My time at POP has been a transformative experience that I am extremely proud of,” Zhukova explained. “It has afforded me the chance to collaborate with some of the greatest creative minds in the world and I’m thankful to Ashley Heath and Bauer Media for the opportunity. I’m now excited to move on and build something from the ground up.”
The spokesperson also revealed that Zhukova's final issue had twice as many advertisers and three times the number of ad pages than during Katie Grand's time at the magazine.
Pop Princess Britney Spears got a manga makeover for Pop magazine's latest cover, now under the reign of Dasha Zhukova. The artist behind Spears' transformation is Takashi Murakami who styled the star in a wedding dress, schoolgirl backpack, hello kitty cell phone and ankle socks for the shoot. Photographed by Todd Cole for the occasion, Spears told Grazia that before they started, "We looked at a lot of characters and artwork before we shot, so I could get a feel for what Murakami was looking for."
Choosing the mother-of-two for the cover, came about when Zhukova and Murakami were discussing the idea of manga characters. Zhukova describes Spears as perfect since,“She’s feminine, sassy, strong-willed, determined: all the things a great Pop icon should be. Couple that with some Japanese swimsuits and a Rodarte wedding gown and I think she is pretty much Poppersonified!”
The second issue of Pop since Dasha Zhukova assumed the role of editor will soon be out. And it would seem that Ms Zhukova decided to up the risque factor by choosing supermodel in the making Abbey Lee Kershaw to star on the cover. Languidly draped over a motorcycle whilst effortlessly channeling cowgirl-chic, Kershaw smolders on the cover and ensures, as always, that she captivates her audience.
The behind-the-scenes video, however, is where the fun really begins. Dressed in an understated fringed leather leotard teamed with tousled hair and barely-there makeup, clips of Kershaw writhing on the motorcycle, tossing her locks and generally seducing the camera form the bulk of the minute-long clip. But cover and video aside, the inside pages are worth a read, too. Sade's revival, the introduction of up-and-coming designer Haider Ackermann, and catching up with Tavi in Tokyo: what's not to like?
As we bid farewell to the end of the year and 2010 is fast approaching we thought it would only be fair to share with you some of the biggest fashion moments from 2009.
January:
Michelle Obama's inauguration day outfits, designed by Isabel Toledo (day dress suit) and Jason Wu (evening gown), caught the attention of the fashion world. Obama has since donned a number of fashion-forward outfits, which has propelled her onto a number of best-dressed lists and has helped launch the career of Jason Wu.
There's been double baby boy joy on the fashion scene recently, with both supermodel Gisele Bundchen and fashion designer and gallery owner Dasha Zhukova giving birth each to a son. Although details of Gisele's new arrival hadn't been revealed when the birth was confirmed yesterday morning - supposedly because the Brazilian beauty and her husband Tom Brady hadn't yet picked a name - it has been confirmed that Dasha gave birth to Aaron Alexander Abramovich. Aaron will be the Russian entrepreneur's first child, and partner Roman Abramovich's sixth, who was said to be there at the birth. Congratulations to both Gisele and Dasha, no doubt both babies will be gorgeous judging by their genes...
