Skip to main content

Stefano Tonchi

Editorial Director, Palmer; Former Editor, W Magazine

A respected editor renowned for his uptown, high gloss aesthetic, Tonchi revived W Magazine's business following a post-recession decline in advertising.

Stefano Tonchi

Stefano Tonchi is the editorial director at Palmer and was the editor of W Magazine, which he joined from the same role at T: The New York Times Style Magazine. In addition, the editor has worked at Esquire and L’Uomo Vogue.

Renowned for his uptown, high gloss aesthetic, Tonchi brought his perfectly polished editorial eye to T as the supplement’s launch editor-in-chief in 2004. Under his leadership, T grew to 15 issues annually, expanded internationally, launched a companion website and was nominated for multiple National Magazine Awards. In 2008, T was awarded Magazine of the Year from the Society of Publication Designers.

Prior to launching T, Tonchi was Style Editor at the Sunday Times Magazine. From 1998 to 2003, Tonchi was the fashion director for Esquire. Whilst Tonchi was at the publication, Esquire earned the Magazine of the Year award from the Society of Publication Designers, as well as National Magazine Award nominations for Photography and Design.

Before joining Esquire, Tonchi worked as creative director for J. Crew. Prior to that, he served as editor and later fashion director for L'Uomo Vogue, from 1987 to 1994. At the start of his career in Italy, Tonchi co-founded and served as editor and art director for Westuff magazine.

In June 2019, W Magazine was acquired by Surface Media as it formed a new holding company, Future Media Group, letting go Tonchi who started at the publication in 2010. Following a rather abrupt exit, Tonchi took to suing Advance Publication, the parent company of W Magazine’s original Owner, Conde Nast, for a total of over $1 million for violating his contract. Following the event, Condé Nast sued the former executive for interfering with its sale to Surface Media. The new deal will see Condé remain in charge of its One World Trade Centre location, while Future Media will oversee the Milan, Paris and upcoming Los Angeles branches.

In March 2022, the former editor of T: The New York Times Style Magazine and W has been named the editorial director of Palmer, a new title about Palm Beach, Fla., a seasonal destination for wealthy snowbirds that attracted an influx of permanent residents during the pandemic.

Career History

Education
Liceo Classico Forteguerri

VITAL STATISTICS

BORN1959
NATIONALITYItalian
LOCATIONUnited States
MEMBER SINCE2013

Find out more

Latest News & Analysis
Media

Stefano Tonchi’s Next Move

The former W magazine editor and George co-founder Michael J Berman are betting on luxurious print publications for wealthy American enclaves, starting with Palm Beach.

Media

Stefano Tonchi’s Next Move

The former W magazine editor and George co-founder Michael J Berman are betting on luxurious print publications for wealthy American enclaves, starting with Palm Beach.


Workplace & Talent

Power Moves | Kylie Cosmetics Names CEO, Lululemon Appoints First Chief Brand Officer

This week, Kylie Jenner’s namesake cosmetics line names its CEO, while Lululemon taps a former Nike executive for chief brand officer.

Workplace & Talent

Power Moves | Kylie Cosmetics Names CEO, Lululemon Appoints First Chief Brand Officer

This week, Kylie Jenner’s namesake cosmetics line names its CEO, while Lululemon taps a former Nike executive for chief brand officer.


News & Analysis

Despite W’s Woes, There’s Still Space for Good Magazines

Giant audience numbers won’t save American magazines from obsolescence, but being excellent just might give a few choice titles a chance at long-term survival.

News & Analysis

Despite W’s Woes, There’s Still Space for Good Magazines

Giant audience numbers won’t save American magazines from obsolescence, but being excellent just might give a few choice titles a chance at long-term survival.


Luxury

In StockX’s Crystal Ball: The Future of the Sneaker Market

This week, StockX became the world’s first billion-dollar sneaker reseller. BoF looks into the crystal ball of the company’s transactions data to unearth five trends on the direction of the fast-growing market for sneakers.

Luxury

In StockX’s Crystal Ball: The Future of the Sneaker Market

This week, StockX became the world’s first billion-dollar sneaker reseller. BoF looks into the crystal ball of the company’s transactions data to unearth five trends on the direction of the fast-growing market for sneakers.


Media

Ousted W Editor Stefano Tonchi Sues Condé Nast Owner

The former editor is asking for damages totalling nearly $1.1 million.

Media

Ousted W Editor Stefano Tonchi Sues Condé Nast Owner

The former editor is asking for damages totalling nearly $1.1 million.


Media

Stefano Tonchi Exits W After Acquisition by Surface Magazine Owner

Marc Lotenberg, chief executive and chairman of the newly formed Future Media Group, has named Style Director Sara Moonves editor-in-chief after acquiring the fashion magazine from Condé Nast.

Media

Stefano Tonchi Exits W After Acquisition by Surface Magazine Owner

Marc Lotenberg, chief executive and chairman of the newly formed Future Media Group, has named Style Director Sara Moonves editor-in-chief after acquiring the fashion magazine from Condé Nast.


Media

How Vogue Is Selling Access

The second annual Forces of Fashion conference mixed fashion fans with designers and editors. Next up? An exclusive membership club designed to leverage Vogue’s community of editors into a new stream of revenue.

Media

How Vogue Is Selling Access

The second annual Forces of Fashion conference mixed fashion fans with designers and editors. Next up? An exclusive membership club designed to leverage Vogue’s community of editors into a new stream of revenue.


Fashion Week

In Milan, the Burdens and Fantastical Flights of History

In Italy, the weight of the history can be unbearable, but Moncler and Gucci found ways to disrupt the past and give birth to the future.

Fashion Week

In Milan, the Burdens and Fantastical Flights of History

In Italy, the weight of the history can be unbearable, but Moncler and Gucci found ways to disrupt the past and give birth to the future.


News & Analysis

Dolce & Gabbana Court Controversy. Are Their Sales Better for It?

In the internet age, picking industry fights and making off-colour comments may actually be good for business.

News & Analysis

Dolce & Gabbana Court Controversy. Are Their Sales Better for It?

In the internet age, picking industry fights and making off-colour comments may actually be good for business.


Luxury

The Industry Remembers Azzedine Alaïa, A Fashion Original

The designer, whose passing was announced on Saturday morning, is remembered for his independence, compassion and creative genius.

Luxury

The Industry Remembers Azzedine Alaïa, A Fashion Original

The designer, whose passing was announced on Saturday morning, is remembered for his independence, compassion and creative genius.


What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.

The BoF 500 2025 medallion logo