The media plays a crucial role in society. Its job has long been to educate, inform and entertain. Likewise, the media has also played a critical role in facilitating social change and shaping public opinion and attitudes.
When I began my tenure as the editor-in-chief, I was faced with a difficult challenge — spearheading a new media platform for the everyday woman to have a voice.
I had to redefine not only what it meant to be a woman but what it meant to be a print (and digital) magazine.
Glossies had long championed celebrities and models, whose lives were largely unattainable if you didn’t have the right opportunities, social standing or family lineage. They now made room for women of colour but it was still mostly the same faces that frequently circulated the shelves of our local newsagents and our digital mailboxes, whilst the real stories went untold and remained undiscovered.
I wasn't interested in the supermodels and the actresses, I wanted the women that were often responsible for putting them on the cover, from The Wall Group’s founder, Brooke Wall, who was undoubtedly one of the most powerful women in Hollywood or British Fashion Council’s CEO, Caroline Rush who organised London Fashion Week, one of the Big Four, the British Fashion Awards and played a key role in attracting brands such as Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, and J.W. Anderson. And the women that had created the products and brands they were wearing — from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics (by Bobbi Brown) to NYX (by Toni Ko) and Jo Malone fragrances (by Jo Malone CBE) to House of CB bodycon dresses (by Conna Walker) to Jessica Rich 4-inch stilettos (by Jessica Rich). These women were the new generation role models.
Now, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to The W Group and my new role as the global editor and CEO where I will continue to produce quality storytelling and experiences through several mediums.
I am incredibly excited to bring you along on this new journey.
Welcome to The W.
The new issue featuring Charlie Mullins OBE is out now. Click here to watch the interview.
