THE CHURN

Susan Sokol, formerly president of apparel at Vera Wang, has been named president and chief operating officer of J.Mendel.

Lucia Albero has joined DL1961 as sales account executive.

Ashley Bez, formerly of Aveda, has been named account executive
at Shadow PR.

Amy Boyle, formerly photo coordinator, is now photo assistant at Vanity Fair.

Vanessa Contini is the new fashion contributor at GQ Italia.

Sophie Dawson, formerly photo assistant, is now photo associate at Vanity Fair.

Cristina Pozzi has left GQ Italia.

Cate Sturgess has joined Vanity Fair as photo coordinator.

Heidi Wolfeld has joined DL1961 as sales account executive.

Siren PR announces its representation of Baby Phat.

Shadow PR announces its representation of 77 Kids, American Eagle's new children's collection, and The White Tie Affair.

Susan Magrino Agency announces its representation of Pixi.

Williamson PR announces its representation of Gilded Age for both men's and women's.

Men's VOGUE Calls It Quits

In an effort to cut expenses Conde Naste has decide to fold Men's Vogue. The move will cut expense by 5%. Men’s Vogue will all but disappear as a separate operation. It will be folded into Vogue and will be published twice a year instead of 10 times, the company said. Employees said they were told Thursday that most of the magazine’s staff would be laid off.

We will miss the publication as a stand alone. It was one of the few high fashion magazines the consistently had African American males on the cover. Be sure to check it out when it runs twice a year

LA Designers Stir up Noose Controversy

Two small designers in LA thought it would be funny to hang an effigy of Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin by a noose for Halloween....guess what guys, not funny

FASHION ON SUNDAY

Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest, but to those that frequent The Abyssinian Baptis Church or Riverside, know that's not the case.

Among the myriad attractions of Sunday morning services at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem are the impassioned sermons of the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, its pastor, and the chance to hear its stirring gospel choir.
Then there are the parishioners, including, on occasion, members of the fashion flock like Bethann Hardison, a model agent, and André Leon Talley, the editor at large at Vogue, along with a community of the faithful who fan out their plumage as neighbors and tourists look on.

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS HERE

THE CHURN

Jarrod Johanns - VP Merchandise Planning; Saks has left the position

Marie O'Riordan, editor in chief of U.K. Marie Claire, has left the title.

Christine Oh and Shawn Buchanan have been promoted to senior fashion managers at BPCM NY.

Celia Cohen has been promoted to senior beauty manager and will oversee the beauty department of BPCM NY.

Susan Morjain has been promoted to senior accessories manager and will oversee the accessories department of BPCM NY.

Tanya Jensen is now editorial director for Custo Barcelona. She was previously a contributing editor for The Daily.

Barry C. Parasram has joined Paul Wilmot Communications. He was previously at PMK/HBH.

Fred Perry has appointed Danae Dade as its key account footwear sales representative for the U.S.

Abby Gardner, formerly executive editor at The Daily, is now a contributing editor developing beauty coverage for The Daily, the Fashion MINI, and Fashionweekdaily.com.

Melissa Galandak, formerly with Ben-Amun jewelry, has joined Krupp Group as senior account executive, fashion and accessories.

Amanda Makoujy has been named public relations fashion assistant at Fingerprint Communications.

Dana Tannenbaum, formerly with Elie Tahari, has left the company.

BPCM NY announces its representation of Anne Klein NY, Azzaro, Bonpoint, Comptoir des Cotonniers, George Gina & Lucy, Marios Schwab, Omelle, and StyleCaster.

Krupp Group announces its representation of JT Handbags and Monique Péan fine jewelry.

Michele Marie PR announces its representation of Custo Barcelona and John Varvatos Eyewear.

BREAKNG NEWS - Former Bush Press Secretary Supports Obama

Former White House Press Secretary, Scott McClellan the consummate Bush loyalist no more, has a knack for dropping bombshells.

And now comes his grinning declaration, taped for a new weekend CNN show, "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News," that he has a favorite in the presidential election, and it is not John McCain.

His face lighting up as bright as his French blue shirt, it is clear what he's going to say before he opens his mouth.

"I will be voting for Barack Obama," he declares.

So the week that began when one former top Bush administration figure, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, endorsed Obama ends with the endorsement of another.

BRAG SPONSOR; SEAN JOHN TO BUY ENYCE

Liz Claiborne Inc. is selling its urban lifestyle brand Enyce to Sean John Clothing Inc., the apparel company owned by hip-hop impresario Sean "P. Diddy" Combs (pictured at a BRAG Event)

Representatives for Liz Claiborne and Sean John declined to discuss the terms of the deal. But a person familiar with the deal (notice we always have a person "familiar with the deal") said that Enyce (pronounced "En-EE-chay") -- which Claiborne bought for $114 million in 2003 -- was valued at about $20 million. Enyce's sales, which hit $100 million at their peak, have shrunk to about half that amount as retailers have consolidated.

In an interview, Mr. Combs said he plans to retool the brand, expand its distribution and take advantage of his connections in the entertainment industry to promote it.
"In music, people know me as the 'King of the Remix,' " Mr. Combs said. "Now I am remixing this brand and making it a hit."

READ MORE HERE