>> POP magazine's official relaunch with Dasha Zhukova at the helm doesn't happen until September, but they just launched a new website, ThePOP.com, that offers a few clues about what's to come.  Last time we checked, the new team was planning on keeping the logo the same, but up on the site's holding page is a new rendition by former i-D art director Scott King.

Also posted is a "manifesto" for the magazine, which details that the new website "will provide a fascinating insight into the creation of each issue but, more importantly, it will reflect the POP team's creative outlook and ongoing projects. . . . [It] will be both an online content platform for the magazine, as well as a mixed media carrier and blogging network for POP’s chosen contributors, guests and partners."

This is already a change for the magazine — the last era, under Katie Grand, had very little online presence.  The manifesto lists that the website will be launched in early Summer, and POP's editorial director Ashley Heath confirmed by email that it "will be far more fully fleshed out in the next few weeks" — in the meantime, they're taking emails for newsletter updates.

As for the logo . . . »

>> Even though POP magazine doesn't officially relaunch until September, it's a hot topic these days, especially with the supposed drama of Dasha Zhukova's appointment as the new editor-in-chief and Daphne Guinness's worry over being announced as part of the editorial board.  Today, Daphne blogged on the matter, calling the reports "so FUNNY . . . . It was flattering but not true I am afraid.  A complete misunderstanding!"

We caught up with POP's editorial director Ashley Heath this morning — he confirms that Daphne has asked not to be on the editorial board, and is instead "working on a very interesting and exciting special project for us."  Also on the plate for discussion — POP's logo: to change or not to change, first cover clues, and when the freelance fashion and creative teams will be announced.

What do you think about the reception Dasha's appointment is receiving in Milan?

"The reception from the fashion industry towards Dasha has been universally positive. As soon as she talks to anyone the fact that she is extremely intelligent, cultured, driven and positive becomes obvious. Dasha has a very strong sense of style and a strong point of view on the modern world and on magazines. She is incredible in every meeting. The advertisers are thrilled about her appointment, but then they realise an intelligent international perspective is key now. But I've no idea how the rest of the magazine media responded to the announcement. Editors and journalists aren't exactly known for their universal goodwill are they? But the front row figures I care about all grabbed me and said, 'Wow, this is really interesting, this is actually an exciting prospect.'"

Daphne's "indicated that being a part of the editorial board is not a good idea" »

>> POP has a new editor-in-chief to replace Katie Grand — as rumored, it's 27-year-old Dasha Zhukova, who has no previous editorial experience but is well-known in the fashion and art worlds as designer of Kova & T and founder of Moscow's largest exhibition venue, the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture.  

Ashley Heath, who originally conceived and co-launched POP with Katie Grand in 1999-2000, will serve as editorial director, helping Dasha with the reinvention of the magazine, the launch of a new website, a new London office — Katie Grand complained about the old POP offices regularly — as well as fostering an installation space in Berlin and a partnership with The Saatchi Gallery in London.

The magazine — first issue launches Sept. 1 — appears set to be more focused on art in addition to fashion than it was under Katie Grand's direction — according to Zhukova's statement: "We are working hard on a complete revamp of the magazine in order to provide a broader point of view focusing also on art, contemporary culture and the globalisation of all things pop-related."

Apparently "names of old-school editors, creative directors, and even pop stars and fashion designers were thrown around" before Dasha was settled upon, but now the focus is on recruiting a freelance team, which Ashley and Dasha interviewed together.  No word on whether Dasha's best friend Olympia Scarry will serve as creative director as rumored, but an editorial board is already in place to provide guidance and inspiration, including Daphne Guinness; art director Julia Restoin-Roitfeld; artist and film director Sam Taylor-Wood; design critic Alice Rawsthorn; artist and art director Peter Saville; Rebecca Wilson, head of development at Saatchi Gallery; and David Davies, managing director of POP.
*image: source