Tatler's July cover.
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OSTLER’S TATLER: Could there be a more challenging time to be taking over Tatler, the glossy London monthly famous for its celebration of old and new money, the ruling classes, It-kids and their ilk? Catherine Ostler, the editor who replaced Geordie Greig earlier this year, is tackling her role at the Condé Nast UK title with relish, cutting out much of the fluff and giving the fashion and society title a harder, newsier edge.
“Tatler had got very bling, and it just can’t be that way anymore. Adoration of the dubious rich and pointless people is just not on,” said Ostler. “We can still do the fantasy, escapism and glamour — together with good feature stories. I’d like to bring a level of meritocracy — and coverage of exciting, current, fashionable people.” Ostler has gradually begun putting her stamp on the title with the last two issues.
July’s cover story is Georgina Chapman, and features range from the goings-on inside Bernie Madoff’s London headquarters to the strange relationship between L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt and her gay pal Francois-Marie Banier to Sun editor Rebekah Wade and her “comedy Sloane” fiancé Charlie Brooks, brother-in-law of Amanda Brooks.
Ostler is not planning any major masthead purges, but new appointments include Annabel Rivkin as executive editor and Chris Whale as art director, both of whom worked with Ostler at ES Magazine, the Evening Standard’s weekly lifestyle title, which Ostler edited until earlier this year. She and her team are also working towards Tatler’s 300th anniversary in the fall. The November issue will mark the milestone, and the magazine will hold a launch party and tercentenary celebration on Oct. 14.
— S.C.
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