>> It's no surprise that Dasha Zhukova's recent appointment as POP editor-in-chief is making waves — she has no editorial experience and is seen by many as just the socialite girlfriend of a Russian billionaire.  Plus, there's that whole matter of her taking over from Katie Grand — apparently a number of other potential candidates were reluctant to head up a magazine so imbued with Grand's identity.

Dasha, who has been attending some shows in Milan, feels "like the elephant in the room."  And rightly so — Derek Blasberg reports that one British fashion journalist snidely commented to him, “I’m going to be the next queen of England,” while another joked that Kylie Minogue was in line to be the next editor of Vogue.  Apparently, Anna Dello Russo pinched Dasha's seat at Jil Sander, the same day that her new POP position was announced.

The appointment has become such an issue in certain fashion circles, that many are declaring neutrality — even Daphne Guinness, who was named to the editorial board; she found out about her involvement in the new POP along with everyone else. “I am so excited about Dasha, and I think she’ll do great, great things with the magazine.  But I would like to emphasize that I’m completely neutral here — I’m a free agent! Fashion is my family and I love everyone just the same.”

Meanwhile, Dasha keeps chugging along towards Sept. 1, when the magazine relaunches, and talks are already under way about the premier cover subject.  Her best friend Olympia Scarry disclosed at the Burberry Prorsum show in Milan that she would be acting as POP's artistic director, and David Davis, POP’s managing director, expects the new look will “feel like quite a big change” from the existing title. “This is a new era, and it’s perhaps a little bit more grown-up, with a bit more substance.  Dasha is keen to have strong writing at the magazine’s heart.”
*image: source