New Yorker Stellene Volandes has continued a rise in the publishing business with her promotion to Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country, a magazine which covers the affluent life.
The announcement was made by Hearst Magazines and was another big step up for Volandes, who had been Executive Style Editor since 2014.
Volandes replaces Jay Fielden, who is taking over for David Granger as Editor-in-Chief of Esquire. Fielden will remain as Editorial Director.
“Stellene is truly one of the most talented editors I’ve worked with,” Mr. Fielden said in the release. “She’s been a key player in reimagining Town & Country, and her taste, good judgment and journalistic skill have come to be key ingredients in every issue.”
Volandes said, “I adore this brand and the place it occupies in the hearts and minds of our readers, and I plan to continue to dazzle and delight them with every issue.” She began her career at Vogue.
Town & Country, which is celebrating its 170th birthday this year, has seen revenue increase by 48 percent and single-copy sales increase by 13 percent in the last five years during a time when many magazines have suffered through the digital age.
WWD said that Volandes has played a key role in bringing in style and jewelry coverage to the magazine, whose circulation grew 1.3 percent to 486,297 over the prior year.
“Stellene has an innate sense of what will resonate with Town & Country readers,” Hearst Magazines President David Carey said.
“She understands the brand’s illustrious history, and will continue to translate and modernize it for the current generation’s affluent social class who balance enviable lifestyles with an abiding sense of philanthropic responsibility.
“With Stellene at the helm and Jay as Editorial Director, Town & Country will continue to share absorbing stories, memorable images and insider information on the world’s most luxurious fashion, jewelry, beauty and travel destinations as the brand prepares to celebrate its 170th anniversary later this year,” he added.
Volandes joined T&C as jewelry and accessories director in 2011 from Departures, where she served as style editor from 2007 to 2011. The editor, who began her career at Vogue, has held a variety of senior editorial roles since 2003.
T&C is the go-to magazine for the rich and stylish and society with its coverage of fashion, art and lifestyles of the very wealthy, who are prospering as never before.
“Stellene is truly one of the most talented editors I’ve worked with,” Fielden said. “She’s been a key player in reimagining Town & Country, and her taste, good judgment, and journalistic skill have come to be key ingredients in every issue. Like me, she will not settle for Town & Country going anywhere but up, and I’m thrilled our collaboration will now be raised to a new level.”
Volandes is a graduate of Vassar College, with a Master’s degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
“I have been a reader of Town & Country for as long as I can remember,” Volandes said. “I am so proud of the Town & Country that Jay has created, and working side-by-side with him has been a master class in leadership, innovation and imagination. We have an incredibly talented team of editors, and a roster of contributors that includes so many brilliant writers. I adore this brand and the place it occupies in the hearts and minds of our readers, and I plan to continue to dazzle and delight them with every issue.”