Fabien Baron Starting Own Magazine After Leaving Interview?
Interview magazine parted ways with co-editorial director Fabien Baron just one year after re-hiring him. Baron, who helped relaunch Andy Warhol's title in 1990, may be launching his own publication.
Exiting immediately with Baron is creative director Karl Templer, Women's Wear Daily reports. Templer and Baron have worked on projects for the New York Times' T magazine together. The buzz among Baron's colleagues is that he's starting his own magazie with Templer, an awfully bold move in this economic climate. Then again, as the designer of any number of luxury ads, Baron's especially well positioned to land what remains of them.
Another of Baron's side gigs is making racy ads for Calvin Klein, like the one the one you may recall involving Eva Mendes' nipple.
It's unclear whether co-creative director Glenn O'Brien will also be departing. O'Brien worked with Baron on the 1990 Interview relaunch, initiated by Brant Publications after acquiring the publication from Warhol's estate. He returned with Baron last January, and the duo promptly installed a gay fashion template as editor. Given their backgrounds, they also brought a certain level of fashion-industry credibility to the magazine.
Anyone know more about Baron's plans, or what pushed him to jump ship now?
A dispute over pay and contract renewal with Brant Publications chairman Peter Brant? Or, as a tipster wonders, friction with Brant's wife, contributing editor Stephanie Seymour Brant, who was installed in April?
UPDATE: Added rumor about a possible new magazine based on a tip.