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The New York Times reports that Suede, the fashion and beauty magazine aimed at African American women who like hip hop and haute couture, has been put on hold after only four issues. (Happy Black History Month, everyone!) According to a statement from Ed Lewis, Essence Communications chairman and chief executive officer: "It has become clear that more time and resources would be needed to further develop this brand."

What's baffling about this is that as recently as December, David Carr profiled Suede editor-in-chief Suzanne Boyd and had some positive things to say about the magazine:

In the publishing circles the magazine has created a rare bit of excitement, the kind of currency that would normally have advertisers leaping into the arms of the latest, hottest thing. While cosmetics firms like Clinique and Lanc me have jumped in, many fashion advertisers are waiting to see where the magazine goes. Executives at Essence Communications and Time Inc., which is a 49 percent partner in the company, are happy to have a magazine people are talking about, but they would like to see their new project blow up huge with a lot of ads as well.

Looks like Essence and their partner on the project, Time Inc., weren't willing to find out.

Four issues? Even Talk, a magazine with no discernible target market, was given a couple of years to find (more or less) an audience.

Suede Magazine Halted After 4 Issues [NYT]
Embracing Black Fashion and a Great Deal More [NYT]