February 20 Edition Stylists Suite News

EDITORS ON THE HUNT

RUNHER MAGAZINE IS SEEKING PITCHES FOR ITS UPCOMING ISSUE. 

RUNHER is looking for the tone of impact, stories, and real-life issue-filled experiences that female athletes and everyday women face. This platform would love to hear your stories. Payment by the word is $0.50-$1.00 per word. 

TIME OUT CHICAGO IS LOOKING FOR SMART PITCHES FROM CHICAGO-BASED JOURNALISTS 

TIME OUT CHICAGO is seeking pitches on trend stories (especially food, travel, culture, and drink

Payment rate: $250 for new list features, $0.25-$0.40/word for reported features/trend stories.

THE REPUBLIC SEEKS PITCHES SURROUNDING NIGERIA

About The Republic: an independent journalism platform that publishes in-depth writing straight from the motherland. 

THE REPUBLIC is accepting pitches for their new issue, themed “Nigeria in the World.” They're looking for politics, financial impact, and civil freedoms. 

Payment rate: $150-$350 per accepted story.

Here are the requirements and details that you must follow during this process: Click the link. 

BUSINESS INSIDER SENIOR EDITOR CLAUDIA WILLEN SEEKS WELLNESS AND FITNESS STORIES. 

Claudia posted on her Linkedin page saying “Excited to be back at Business Insider! Freelancers, I’m commissioning lifestyle, wellness, and fitness stories and would love to hear from you. I’m especially interested in unique first-person essays and strong feature ideas. If you have a pitch, please send a headline and short description to cwillen@businessinsider.com."

MONGABAY AFRICA SEEKS ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE STORIES

About Mongabay Africa is a dedicated bilingual (English/French) news bureau launched in November 2023 to provide in-depth environmental and conservation reporting across Africa. They are looking for experienced freelance journalists to pitch environmental information and feature stories about Africa that explore how people, ecosystems, and developmental experiences have changed across the continent — from land to climate change.

Stories should be 800–2,000 words with original interviews (3+), and pitches should be ~500 words with a clear angle and potential sources. Mongabay also accepts fully produced video story pitches (up to ~10 minutes). 

Apply here: Pitch Mongabay stories about Africa – Mongabay.org

EDITORIAL MOVES

The industry is shifting, and these are the leaders at the helm. From global rebrands at ELLE to new leadership at GQ and Balenciaga, here are the power moves and fresh faces you need to know this week.

ELLE Côte d'Ivoire has officially rebranded and expanded into ELLE Africa, marking a major shift from a single-country focus to a pan-African platform covering 23 French-speaking nations.  The new edition will feature three print issues per year, nine digital covers, a bilingual (French/English) platform, podcasts, and newsletters. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, styled by Law Roach and shot by Trevor Stuurman, graces the first issue.

LANDON BOST IS THE NEW NETFLIX EDITORIAL RESIDENT at Industry Standard 

Meet Landon. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media, he has established himself as a celebrated filmmaker and editor. His senior film, Black Savior, caught the attention of many festivals and garnered a collection of awards and accolades. Since 2022, he has engaged in post-production, working on documentaries, scripted projects, and digital projects, further sharpening his skills and supporting his art as a storyteller behind the camera.

Website: https://www.landonbost.com/

Instagram: @landon.bost

Twitter: LandonBost

FATIMA JOHNSON IS THE NEW CONTRIBUTOR WRITER at HYPE MAGAZINE

Meet Fatima, raised in Chicago, she’s a sports journalist, host, and content creator with degrees from Howard University and St. Bonaventure University. With experience spanning the NBA, WNBA, branded scope, and live event coverage, she specializes in audience attention and digital storytelling. She has worked within many sports organizations, live broadcasts, and national media events. mixing on-camera presence with content expansion while strengthening culture.

Instagram: @thefatimajohnson

Website: https://ugcbae.my.canva.site/fatimasportsportfolio

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefatimajohnson

ADAM BAIDWAI HAS BEEN NAMED GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF GQ (US)

Meet Adam, a fashion editor and resourceful executive currently serving as Global Director at GQ, where he will lead editorial ideas, content plans, and brand identity across 12+ other editions. Known for his global outlook, Baidawi specializes in extravagant fashion storytelling, editorial advice, and bridging culture with modern style.

Instagram: @adambaidwai

BALENCIGA HAS APPOINTED FRANCESCA NARDI AS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 

Meet Francesca, who’s a luxury-based executive with extensive experience shaping global brand narratives within high fashion. Known for her strategic leadership and refined industry relationships, she has worked closely with creative directors to amplify runway moments, celebrity partnerships, and international press initiatives. Her expertise bridges heritage storytelling and media engagement across global markets.

Instagram: @f3nardi

EDITORIAL ACCESS: Media Credentials Opening & Closing: Feb 22, 2026

This week, here is the updated list for our subscribers highlighting five major events across music, entertainment, food, and fashion that have active or closing media credential windows this week.

SXSW EDU & SXSW (Final Call)

Location: Austin, Texas | Event Dates: March 2–12, 2026

While the main festival is fast approaching, the media accreditation window for SXSW EDU and late-season press requests for the main festival typically hit their hard "final call" deadlines in mid-February.

Apply Here: SXSW Press Accreditation

Charleston Wine + Food

Location: Charleston, South Carolina | Event Dates: March 4–8, 2026

This world-class culinary festival is entering its final logistics phase. While traditional media applications often close in January, they are currently facilitating Media Power Hours and specific media partnership trades for late-entry coverage.

Apply Here: CHSWF Media & Partnerships

MAGIC New York

Location: New York City (Javits Center) | Event Dates: February 24–26, 2026

As the primary East Coast fashion hub for trending apparel and footwear, registration for press and stylists is open and urgent, given the event starts next week. This is where most fall/winter trends are solidified.

Apply Here: MAGIC New York Press Registration

Tribeca Festival (Early Bird)

Location: New York City | Event Dates: June 3–14, 2026

Tribeca has officially opened its press center for the 25th-anniversary festival. They are currently accepting inquiries and preparing to launch the formal accreditation portal for the summer season.

Apply Here: Tribeca Press Center