The New York Times Hires Vanessa Friedman

After an eleven year run as fashion editor at The Financial Times, Vanessa Friedman has officially joined The New York Times as fashion director and chief fashion critic.

She will take on the roles left by Suzy Menkes, who announced her transition from the International New York Times to Vogue International last week, and Cathy Horyn, who departed from her position as fashion critic at The New York Times in January. Executive editor Jill Abramson said in a statement,

“I’m thrilled to welcome Vanessa to The Times. She is the perfect journalist to be our leading voice on global fashion.”

While the two expert fashion voices will leave very high-heeled shoes to fill, it is Friedman’s business acumen and understanding for what will sell that led many to expect her as their replacement. With a resume including features and fashion director for InStyle UK and regular contributions to The Economist, The New Yorker and Vogue, it seems she will have no problem overseeing fashion coverage of The Times’ domestic and international editions. She will also make use of her experience coordinating the FT’s Business of Luxury conference in Vienna to help organize The Times’ 14th annual luxury conference, set for this December in Miami during Art Basel.

For the past several years, Friedman has only had two full-time staffers on FT team. The expanded resources at The Times most likely added to the position’s appeal.

The Times has also promoted Alexandra Jacobs, a current editor of the "Styles" section, who will become a fashion critic and fashion features writer.