Godfrey Deeny
Global editor-in-chief of FashionNetwork.com
Godfrey Deeny is an Irish fashion journalist and the global editor-in-chief of FashionNetwork.com, a business news site for fashion professionals. A veteran of WWD, Vogue Hommes International and Le Figaro, he is known for sharp, independent runway reviews and industry reporting.
| Role | Global editor-in-chief, FashionNetwork.com |
|---|---|
| Since | November 2017 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Previously | WWD and W Paris bureau chief; Vogue Hommes International editor-in-chief |
| Also | Fashion editor at large, Le Figaro |
Who is Godfrey Deeny?
Godfrey Deeny is an Irish fashion journalist and critic who has covered the international fashion business for several decades. Since November 2017 he has been global editor-in-chief of FashionNetwork.com, a trade news platform with editions in many countries. The Business of Fashion describes his reviews as known for their objectivity, sharp observation and acerbic wit, and his interviewing style as thoroughly informed, opinionated and direct.
Career
Before joining FashionNetwork.com, Deeny held a series of senior roles in fashion and business journalism:
- Milan editor for Dow Jones
- Paris bureau chief for Women's Wear Daily and W
- Editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes International
- European editor at large for Fashion Wire Daily
- Fashion editor at large at Le Figaro, a role he held for around five years
He has also contributed to Style.com, The Sunday Independent, Esquire and the Financial Times, and The Business of Fashion has listed him as editor-in-chief of the German magazines Achtung and Sepp. He joined FashionNetwork.com in early 2017 as international editor-in-chief, and in November 2017 the company announced his promotion to global editor-in-chief, with responsibility for all bureaus, editors and reporters worldwide, including the French edition.
Influence on the fashion business
FashionNetwork.com positions itself as a reference for fashion professionals, covering business results, appointments, retail and runway shows. In leading its editorial work, Deeny sits at the intersection of fashion criticism and business reporting. His relevance to the industry includes:
- Runway reviews read by buyers, executives and brand teams across markets
- Interviews with designers and chief executives that combine creative and commercial questions
- Coordinating multilingual coverage across a global network of editions
- Long institutional memory of houses, creative directors and fashion weeks in Paris and Milan
His career spans both the traditional fashion press and the digital trade news era, which gives him an unusual perspective on how coverage of the industry has moved from print to online platforms.
Why it matters
For fashion businesses, trade publications such as FashionNetwork.com are a primary source of competitive intelligence on appointments, results and collections. As the editor responsible for that coverage globally, Deeny influences how the industry's news agenda is set. His direct critical voice also offers a counterweight to the more promotional tone of much fashion content.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Godfrey Deeny?
Godfrey Deeny is an Irish fashion journalist and the global editor-in-chief of FashionNetwork.com, a role announced in November 2017. He previously worked for WWD, W, Vogue Hommes International and Le Figaro.
What is FashionNetwork.com?
FashionNetwork.com is an international trade news platform for fashion professionals, covering business news, appointments, retail and runway shows across many country editions. Godfrey Deeny leads its editorial team globally.