• by Sara Guaglione , September 12, 2017

Robbie Myers, editor-in-chief of fashion and lifestyle magazine Elle, has stepped down after 17 years at the helm. Hearst announced her successor today, Marie Claire’s creative director Nina Garcia.

In an internal memo sent to staff Monday, Myers noted she will remain at Elle for a period of time to help with the transition, “consulting with [president of Hearst magazines] David Carey, bringing new ideas about where fashion, retail and most importantly women are heading in this transformational moment in history. I’ll be speaking on behalf of those women, and Hearst, in the fall.”

In the memo, Myers said the decision to step down was influenced by her growing children and her desire to spend more time with them. Her 17-year-old daughter Frankie heads off to college in a year, and her 15-year-old son Michael is just a few years behind.

Myers wrote she credited staff with helping to build Elle into “a powerhouse over these last 17 years.” 

Garcia was rumored to be in the running to take the role as editor-in-chief of Elle. Today, Hearst confirmed those reports. Garcia begins in her new role on Sept. 18.

Garcia has been creative director of Marie Claire, another Hearst title, since 2012. Before that, she was the magazine’s fashion director from 2008 to 2012. Moving to Elle is a homecoming; Garcia served as the publication’s fashion director from 2000 to 2008.

Garcia told The New York Times she is “looking to amplify the DNA of the brand. It’s bold, it’s provocative, it’s inclusive, democratic, its innovative.” Well-known in the fashion industry, Garcia has been a judge on the show “Project Runway” since it launched in 2004 and boasts a large social-media following.

Hearst Magazines President David Carey stated: “Nina embodies all the qualities of a modern editor-in-chief. She’s an important authority in fashion, respected by her peers for her personal style, her ability to spot talent and her deep relationships across the industry.”