''MODE'' (stylized MO''D''E) was a

fashion magazine Fashion journalism is a component of fashion media, with a focus on journalism, writing and photojournalism. Fashion journalists write about and critique fashion events and trends as well as cultivate and maintain relationships with stylists and ...

aimed towards plus-size women which launched in the spring of 1997. The magazine was praised for targeting the plus-size consumer with a ''

Vogue Vogue may refer to: Business * ''Vogue'' (magazine), a US fashion magazine ** British ''Vogue'', a British fashion magazine ** '' Vogue Adria'', a fashion magazine for former Yugoslav countries ** ''Vogue Arabia'', an Arab fashion magazine ** ' ...

''-like fashion philosophy. ''MODE'' also helped to increase the growth of the plus-size industry and the caliber of plus-size clothing and advertising. In 1997, ''MODE'' was named the best new magazine launch by Ad Week and

Advertising Age ''Ad Age'' (known as ''Advertising Age'' until 2017) is a global media brand that publishes news, analysis, and data on marketing and media. Its namesake magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930. ''Ad Age'' appears in ...

. ''MODE'' also ran model search competitions in conjunction with the Wilhelmina modeling agency, drawing entries from thousands of hopefuls from the US and Canada. Its circulation was approximately 600,000 at the time of its demise in October 2001.

History

Publishing veterans Julie Lewit-Nirenberg and Nancy Nadler LeWinter, who had experience for magazines such as ''

'', ''

Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...

'', ''

Harper's Bazaar ''Harper's Bazaar'' (stylized as ''Harper's BAZAAR'') is an American monthly women's fashion magazine. Bazaar has been published in New York City since November 2, 1867, originally as a weekly publication entitled ''Harper's Bazar''."Corporat ...

'', '' Mademoiselle'' and ''

Marie Claire ''Marie Claire'' (stylized in all lowercase; ) is a French international monthly magazine first published in France in 1937. Since then various editions are published in many countries and languages. The feature editions focus on women aro ...

'', began developing ''MODE'' in 1996. The first issue launched in February 1997 with a circulation of 250,000 copies. ''MODE'' received strong positive reception from readers(over 8,000 pieces of

fan mail Fan mail is mail sent to a public figure, especially a celebrity, by their admirers or "fan (person), fans". In return for a fan's support and admiration, public figures may send an autographed poster, photo, reply letter, or note thanking the ...

in just over a year) and from the press. After ''MODE'' launched, agencies increased their rosters of

plus-size model A plus-size model is an individual size 12 and above who is engaged primarily in Model (person), modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size clothing worn by plus-size models is typically catering for and marketed to either big, tall or overweight men ...

s and retailers improved the production value of their advertising. Freedom Publications bought a 50% stake in the magazine in late 1997. ''MODE'' started a partnership with

Butterick Publishing Company The Butterick Publishing Company was founded by Ebenezer Butterick to distribute the first graded sewing patterns. By 1867, it had released its first magazine, ''Ladies Quarterly of Broadway Fashions,'' followed by ''The Metropolitan'' in 1868. T ...

to produce patterns, and began planning other ventures including a website, TV programming, and syndicated newspaper columns. The magazine also received acclaim, being named the best new magazine launch by Ad Week and

in 1997. ''MODE'' began running model searches in conjunction with the Wilhelmina modeling agency in 1998, drawing entries from thousands of hopefuls from the US and Canada.

Advance Publications Advance Publications, Inc. is a privately held American media company owned by the families of Donald Newhouse and Samuel Irving Newhouse Jr., the sons of company founder Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr. It owns publishing-related companies inc ...

, the parent company of

Conde Nast Publications Conde is the Ibero-Romance form of "count" (Latin ''comitatus''). It may refer to: * Counts in Iberia *List of countships in Portugal Places United States * Conde, South Dakota, a city France * Condé-sur-l'Escaut (or simply 'Condé'), a com ...

, made negotiations to purchase Lewit and Lewinter Inc. in 2001, but the deal did not go through. Occurring shortly before the time of ''MODE'' closure was the failure of several designers' ventures into the plus-size market.

Versace Gianni Versace S.r.l. (), usually referred to as Versace ( ), is an Italian luxury elite fashion company founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. The company produces Italian-made ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as '' haute couture'' under it ...

(''GV Versatile Couture''),

Valentino Valentino may refer to People * Valentino (surname), including a list of people with the name * Valentino (given name), including a list of people with the name Mononymous persons * Valentino (fashion designer) (born Valentino Clemente Ludovic ...

(''Carisma''), and others ceased producing the clothing which ''MODE'' magazine relied upon, leaving an unfortunate deficit in both the fashion department wardrobes and advertising revenue coffers of ''MODE'' magazine and its successors. Its circulation was approximately 600,000 at the time of its demise in late 2001.

Editors

*Abbie Britton (1997-2000) *Corynne Corbett (2000-2001)

References

{{Reflist, 2 Defunct women's fashion magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1997 Magazines disestablished in 2001 Defunct magazines published in New York City Monthly magazines published in the United States Quarterly magazines published in the United States