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The Face editor-in-chief Matthew Whitehouse will be departing the cult British style and culture magazine to assume a new role as head of editorial content and creative at Farfetch, the publication announced on Tuesday. The Face’s spring 2026 issue, releasing mid-March, will be his last.
Having previously served as i-D’s arts and culture editor, Whitehouse joined The Face as deputy editor when it relaunched in 2019 after a 15-year hiatus under new parent company Wasted Talent, and assumed the position of editor in chief in 2020. His replacement will be announced in the coming months.
“It has been one of the honours of my life to serve as editor in chief of this great publication,” Whitehouse said in a statement.
Wasted Talent also announced that the independent fashion photographer Jonny Lu has joined The Face as creative director. The spring 2026 issue will be Lu’s inaugural edition as creative director.
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Previously, Lu served as creative director of i-D from 2021 to 2023. Through his eponymous, London-based studio which he founded in 2013, Lu has collaborated with labels including Wales Bonner, Chloé, Alexander McQueen and Hermès.
“I’m honoured to be joining The Face as creative director at an exciting moment, and to continue its legacy of culture-defining image-making, design and journalism,” Lu said in a statement.
In addition to the creative director appointment, The Face has hired five editors at large: stylist and creative consultant Ursina Gysi, whose clients include Diesel, Maison Margiela and Jacquemus; fashion designer and AllSaints chief creative officer Aaron Esh; style and culture writer Biz Sherbert; makeup artist and former Dazed beauty editor Yadim Carranza; and fashion journalist and historian Ashantea Austin.
The magazine also announced plans to launch its first international imprint, The Face China, later this year.
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