Schiek Steps Down... Cutbacks at Gawker...

SCHIEK STEPS DOWN: Lisa Schiek, Tom Ford’s global communications director and his longest-standing employee, on Thursday revealed her decision to leave the company. Her last day will be at the end of January or in early February, and her replacement will be named in the new year. “This may or may not come as a surprise, as I have been inching and talking about this for some time,” said Schiek. “I told Tom mid-October of my intentions, and he asked that I hold off saying anything so that they can sort out the communications structure.”

In October, North American communications director Shirin von Wulffen resigned her post. Both Schiek and von Wulffen had worked with Ford and Domenico De Sole, chairman of Tom Ford International, in their Gucci years. Schiek’s professional relationship with them went back 18 years.

Schiek joined Gucci in 1990 as the public relations and special events director for Gucci America, and in 1999 moved to London as communications director for Gucci Group, which created a model for the modern luxury group. She was instrumental in the successful relaunches of the other brands under the Gucci Group umbrella, including Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Boucheron, Bedat & Co., Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.

Schiek followed Ford and De Sole out the door in April 2004, after the pair’s contract talks with PPR failed over disagreements about creative control.

“I have only the greatest respect and admiration for Tom and Domenico and have learned so much from the two of them. I am genuinely proud of what was accomplished these past 18 years and wish them and the entire team at Tom Ford every success,” she said, adding, “This is the right time for me to move on.”

— Jean Schneides