After Eden

6 May 2003

My fears of the world coming to an end while the tanks rolled into and out of Eden seem to have been unfounded as I write this, just in from visiting the fabulous Cape Times/Waterfront Wine Festival. As I predicted exhibitions have become an entertainment and I was startled to see so many noses reaching deep into their wine glasses, not least because of glasses' unnerving magnifying quality but to see so many aficionados.

Wine aside, the magazine world seems to have taken full advantage of Parliament's floor crossing example with the most recent media moves making up for lost time.

I had my money on Pnina Fenster moving over with Marie Claire from Caxton to Associated as she embodied the savvy, stylish and sexy title but I'm sure she will bring all that and more to Glamour which I'm unfamiliar with.

There is plenty precedent for editorial moves across titles, Jacqueline Myburgh's move from Food & Home Entertaining to Style, Ann Donald's from Woman's Value to Fair Lady, Tony Koenderman from FM to F&T and now Suzy Brokensha from Baby and Me to Marie Claire!

Although that jump seems more than one square, Suzy has shown her wit as a regular Femina contributor and I have had the personal benefit of her intellect as my matric English teacher but how easily she makes the jump into body-hugging Lagerfeld remains to me seen.

Heather Parker ditched bacon sarmies and Financial Times pink for svelte Shape, Paul Kerton stepped out of Hefner's Jacuzzi before getting into Men's Health and soon Razor, Darrel Bristow-Bovey from obscurity to fame, Pete Goffe Wood from chef to media critic.

And another thing: If PRISA thinks it is going to force us to join or prevent us from practicing they have should think again. I won't join PRISA as I don't see any value in the organisation. They may seek to protect our industry from bims and boes but rely on the free market on do just that.

God knows we have enough egocentric megalomaniacs in our industry without having a governing body. Let me know who you think fits the bill!