Editor-in-Chief acquires Fashion Quarterly – stoppress.co.nz

Iconic New Zealand fashion title, Fashion Quarterly, has been acquired by current Editor-in-Chief Sarah Murray.

The deal, which closed yesterday, sees Murray at the helm of Elcoat Media, a cross platform media business which will operate Fashion Quarterly magazine, fq.co.nz, FQCollective, FQEvents and FQInsider as well as all their social channels.

Of the sale Murray, who has successfully led the Fashion Quarterly team for two-and-a-half years, says she’s elated to be the new owner of such an iconic brand, and feels a strong sense of responsibility to honour its legacy while future-proofing the brand in a transforming digital landscape.

“I have a deep passion for the published word, and how physical and digital mediums compliment each other. The future holds significant opportunities at the intersection of fashion, media and technology to provide readers with an immersive, impactful experience,” she says.

Fashion Quarterly is New Zealand’s leading, and most read fashion publication and Murray will continue in her role as editor-in-chief to lead the brand into its next phase of growth. The brand has been New Zealand’s style authority for 40 years and enjoys a 59 percent market share at retail, has a significant digital footprint, and is recognised as the industry leader.

It was successfully relaunched by Parkside/Via Media after being sold by Bauer Media in 2020, and has grown its audience and channels every year since. Not only is it the country’s most widely read fashion title, it actively places fashion at the forefront.

Established in 1980, FQ has been an institution in the New Zealand fashion industry producing editorial shoots where they not only support established fashion designers, but also up and coming fashion designers and industry leaders across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and travel.