• by Sara Guaglione , November 27, 2020

Condé Nast’s U.K.-based Love magazine is moving to the U.S.

Whembley Sewell, editor-in-chief of Them, will oversee its next phase. Sewell was promoted to top editor of Condé Nast’s LGBTQ+ focused brand in September.

Love’s transition to the U.S.-based team at Them began November 25. The U.K. team’s last day is Friday.

The pub launched in February 2009 as a publication focused on style and pop culture. Going forward, Love will broaden its focus to “celebrate new themes and editorial opportunities that champion identity and inclusion,” according to the company. 

Love will now be supported by a network of contributors, as well as Them’s editorial team. With Sewell, the team will determine Love’s new creative direction, as well as social media and video strategy.

Them’s audience has increased by more than 200% over the past year, according to Condé Nast.

A model that worked for Them will likely be applied to Love — one that focuses on social media, and building a community. Love has 1.3 million followers on Instagram.

“Love has always told stories beautifully and powerfully, and I look forward to working with the team as we explore what the next iteration of the brand can be to our audiences,” stated Sewell. 

Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue, artistic director and global content advisor of Condé Nast, touted Sewell’s ability to build “a loyal and passionate audience at Them by brilliantly telling stories that are inclusive and uplifting.”

Love’s founding editor in chief Katie Grand and publisher Catherine Russell left the brand earlier this year.

The Condé Nast website says Love has a total print readership of 400,000.