After Stefano Tonchi was hired as editor-in-chief of W, the title’s then-creative director, Dennis Freedman, was one of the first top staffers to depart in April after almost two decades at the magazine. Barneys announced today that Freedman will come aboard as creative director beginning January 17. Few details on the appointment are available, but he replaces Simon Doonan. However, Doonan, who is essentially the face of the chain, will stay on, having been promoted to “creative ambassador-at-large,” once again prompting the question of why fashion companies (ahem, Chanel) prefer to title people “ambassadors” above all other nouns.
Freedman’s appointment comes amid a slew of staffing changes at the retailer since Mark Lee took the helm as CEO. Though Julie Gilhart has been dismissed as fashion director — without a consolation ambassadorship — her role is yet to be filled.
