Last week via Instagram, Shiona Turini hinted at the start of something new. The shot in question is of a logo-esque image is of Turini’s name, followed by: “Style consulting. Creative direction. Brand Development.” It was her way of announcing her departure from Cosmopolitan, where she’s been fashion market director since August 2013, to strike out on her own. Turini has been laying the groundwork for this kind of move in recent times. “I’ve been consulting for some time now, and recently, I have been lucky enough to have started my own company,” she told The Daily via email. “I plan to focus on brand development, style consulting and creative direction. I also have a few personal projects launching in 2015.” Prior to arriving at Cosmo, Turini was fashion market and beauty director at Carine Roitfeld‘s CR Fashion Book. Her CV also includes stints as Teen Vogue‘s accessories director and W‘s accessories editor; she got her start in the PR department at Yves Saint Laurent. Turini bid adieu to Cosmo shortly before Thanksgiving.
Born and raised in Bermuda, Turini hasn’t forgotten about her home turf. “Whatever I do, it’s important to me that mentorship initiatives play a big part; for the past few years I’ve connected aspiring local Bermudian designers with international fashion industry professionals as a way to inspire and advise emerging talent. I’ve felt it’s an important way to stay connected to my homeland and to help encourage local arts and commerce,” she told The Daily. Turini dropped a few more hints about her forthcoming work: “One project that I’m extremely excited about focuses on celebrating, encouraging, and profiling diversity in our industry. Let’s just say it’s something that a fellow magazine editor and I have been conjuring up for some time.” As The Fashion Spot reported today, there’s a lack of diversity in international glossy covers. We’re intrigued to see what Turini has in the works…