Punch Hutton, Vanity Fair’s longtime deputy editor, is exiting Condé Nast.
Hutton, who joined Vanity Fair in 1998, began her career there as Graydon Carter’s assistant. During her tenure at the magazine, Hutton edited the “Fanfair” section, and re-introduced the magazine’s party pages in the “Fairground” section.
Carter sent out an e-mail to staff Wednesday breaking the news and thanking Hutton for her 17 years of service. “After 17 enormously successful and Fanfair-filled years with Vanity Fair, Punch has decided she wants to make a change and move on once she has closed the April issue pages,” he wrote.
Hutton’s next move could not be learned by press time.
Hutton was one of four deputy editors on VF’s masthead. Her departure comes as there is a move at Condé Nast to cut costs on the print side in order to make way for a more vibrant digital infrastructure, which includes Web-savvy editors. A VF spokeswoman insisted Hutton’s departure is not related to cost-cutting and said Hutton will be replaced.
In January, Vogue’s creative director, Grace Coddington, stepped down as a full-time employee. At Allure, the masthead, which was filled with beauty industry veterans such as founding editor in chief Linda Wells and creative director Paul Cavaco, has been remade. It is now helmed by Michelle Lee and a staff of less experienced, yet digitally nimble, younger editors.