GQ editor Dylan Jones has hired the former editor of arch enemy Esquire to be a contributing editor.
Peter Howarth has been commissioned to write regular features with a particular emphasis on fashion. His first piece will appear this month.
The move has surprised insiders who recall Jones taking frequent swipes at Howarth in his attempt to relaunch Esquire by banning scantily clad women. He once accused Howarth of “steering a once great brand down a cul-de-sac”.
The spat appeared to be forgotten this week however. Jones told Press Gazette: “I’ve known Peter for 15 years.
I used to commission him when I was editor of Arena when he still worked at Paul Smith. We’ve been friends for a very long time. There was obviously a period when he was editing Esquire and I was editing GQwhen we had our little spats in the press, but it all made very good copy and we both came out of it alive. I’m absolutely thrilled that he is now working for GQ. One in the eye for Esquire!” Howarth was style director at GQ and also edited Arena. Jones said he was a “pre-eminent fashion journalist”.
He added: “Now that Esquire is placing less emphasis on fashion, it makes sense he should be working on GQ. I don’t think they made as much of him as they should have.”
Howarth resigned as editor of Esquire in September 2002 but stayed on as a consultant. He later set up his own company, Show Media, and has launched a number of titles including Dad, a magazine for fathers, The Newspaper, designed to showcase Premiership and international footballers and Fashion Week, a lifestyle spin-off for Business Week.
Howarth said he was “delighted” to be writing for GQ again.
By Ruth Addicott
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