CNN frequently navigates the corridors of power, but is now prepared to take on the runway.
Rachel Tashjian, previously the fashion columnist at The Washington Post, is set to join CNN as a senior style reporter. She will work within a team led by Choire Sicha, who was recruited in May to cultivate a cohort of journalists dedicated to feature stories, as CNN prepares to launch a new digital initiative that aims to highlight various segments and topics that aren’t always prioritized during the prime time shows of its flagship television station. Tashjian will report to Fiona Sinclair Scott, the global editor of CNN Style.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally collaborate with Rachel,” Sicha expressed in a statement. “She is an exceptional journalist with a sharp wit, perceptiveness, and genuine curiosity, whether she’s discussing thrift culture or high fashion like Dior.”
CNN has already initiated promotions for a new digital subscription platform that promises “unlimited streaming and articles, including 24/7 global news, acclaimed shows, films, and beyond.” Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN, has outlined a strategy aimed at shifting the organization away from reliance on cable distribution to explore new avenues to attract a diverse audience willing to pay for its content in innovative ways.
Tashjian’s appointment positions CNN to compete with major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, which recognize fashion as a domain deserving of comprehensive coverage. Tashjian is also responsible for Opulent Tips, an exclusive newsletter offering personal style and shopping insights.
Her professional journey includes serving as the fashion news director at Harper’s Bazaar and the inaugural fashion critic for GQ, where she interviewed prominent designers such as Miuccia Prada, Maria Grazia Chiuri of Dior, and Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton.
Tashjian is a University of Pennsylvania alumna, with a B.A. in English and art history. She will be working out of CNN’s New York Bureau.
