JOHN B. FAIRCHILD BORN Newark, New Jersey, 1927 John B. Fairchild began his career as a reporter for Women’s Wear Daily in 1951, two years after graduating from Princeton University. Three years later he moved to Paris to take over the French bureaus of the newspaper—part of Fairchild Publications, a company founded by his grandfather. In Paris, Fairchild shook up the world of haute couture by mixing gossip with traditional stories and printing sketches of clothes when he wanted, as opposed to when fashion houses approved their release. When Fairchild arrived, reporters for WWD were often seated in the back rows of fashion shows. Feeling slighted, Fairchild worked to raise the paper’s visibility, turning it into “the Bible of fashion” and ensuring his reporters the access and respect he felt they deserved. In 1960, Fairchild was named publisher of WWD and returned to New York City. He brought his innovations with him, and the paper soon began including society and event coverage in addition to trade stories. Five years later, Fairchild became chief executive officer of Fairchild Publications, steering the company to launch the WWD offshoots W and M. Also in 1965, Fairchild penned The Fashionable Women’s Wear Daily editor John B. Fairchild. Savages, a series of candid looks at the designers who ruled the fashion world and the women who kept them provocateur—albeit a well-liked one. in business. In 1989, Fairchild wrote another book, Chic Fairchild retired in 1997 but is still contributing Savages, a biting memoir that took on fashion industry editor at large for W and WWD. He also writes a giants like Oscar de la Renta, Mary McFadden, column for W under the name Louise J. Esterhazy. and Anna Wintour. It cemented his reputation as a 135 aLf19693.indb 135 10/2/14 6:10 PM.