Bauer Media is delighted to announce the appointment of Dasha Zhukova to the role of Editor-in-Chief of POP magazine.

Dasha will lead the new team at POP into a new era with an exciting vision that will inspire POP’s audience of influential opinion formers and fashion leaders.

Her appointment comes as POP breaks into new areas with the launch of a new website, a new London office, a satellite office and installation space in Berlin and a partnership with The Saatchi Gallery in London.

Dasha Zhukova was born in Moscow in 1981 and was educated in Los Angeles. She has been involved in number of successful business ventures in the fashion and design fields. She is the Founder of The Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow’s largest exhibition venue, which opened last September. Aimed at the promotion and development of international contemporary art and culture, the Center is housed in one of Russia’s architectural masterpieces, the former Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage, designed in 1926 by the architect Konstantin Melnikov.

David Davies, Managing Director of POP and Bauer Media's Women's portfolio, comments:

“Following a very successful first decade with POP, it was important to take time to find the right people with a groundbreaking vision to make sure POP continued to create a real point of difference in the fashion industry.

“Dasha’s formidable recent track record and reputation worldwide means we have a truly exceptional and talented Editor-In-Chief to replace Katie Grand and take POP to a whole new level."

Dasha Zhukova, comments:

"I am tremendously excited to take on this challenge. I feel it's the perfect time to be showcasing and encouraging new energy and talent. I have always admired POP for its visual vibrancy. Extending its remit for a new era is a stimulating project for myself and the new team.

"We are working hard on a complete revamp of the magazine in order to provide a broader point of view focusing also on art, contemporary culture and the globalisation of all things pop-related."

Dasha will work in partnership with Editorial Director Ashley Heath who conceived and co-launched POP in 1999/2000.  Ashley is a former Fashion Director of The Face, Editor-in-Chief of Arena Homme Plus and Editorial Director of POP.

Dasha Zhukova and Ashley Heath have together interviewed and appointed an exciting new team who will work from a new POP office in London.

Ashley Heath comments:

"In a competitive glossy magazine market place, POP is one of a handful of truly iconic brands. I'm delighted to return to the magazine in partnership with Dasha Zhukova to revamp POP. Together we have ambitious plans. These are challenging times and yet they are also extremely exciting. Dasha represents a fantastic combination of style, intelligence, youth and cultural clout; her international perspective is key."

To support the magazine in its bold new plans, POP has established an Editorial Board to provide both guidance and inspiration.  This will include: Design Critic Alice Rawsthorn; Artist and Film Director Sam Taylor-Wood; Artist and Art Director Peter Saville; Fashion Icon Daphne Guinness; Art Director Julia Restoin Roitfield; Rebecca Wilson, Head of Development at Saatchi Gallery and Editor of  www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk; and David Davies, MD of Pop, among others.

Bauer Media is also pleased to announce former Wallpaper executive Tom Bailey as Associate Publisher of POP.

The first issue of this new era of POP will be published on September 1st, 2009.