Renowned Beauty Editor Jane Larkworthy Passes Away at 62
The beauty industry is mourning the loss of Jane Larkworthy, a seasoned editor who wrote for New York Magazine’s The Cut and spearheaded beauty coverage at W Magazine for over 15 years. According to a report by WWD, Larkworthy died on Wednesday at the age of 62 after a long battle with cancer.
Larkworthy was widely respected for her erudite coverage of beauty in various titles, including New York Magazine’s The Cut and Air Mail Look. Her contributions to the beauty industry have been praised by many, with William Li, a close friend and Town & Country’s special projects editor, describing her as "one-of-a-kind" and a "great journalist". As reported by WWD, Li noted that Larkworthy was always excited about discoveries and never jaded, championing many talents in the industry, including makeup artists, hair stylists, and indie brands.
Larkworthy’s career was marked by her exceptional writing skills and in-depth knowledge of the beauty industry. She worked at W Magazine from 2000 to 2016, overseeing the beauty coverage and shaping the way readers saw the industry. Her writing was characterised by its wit, warmth, and disarming sense of humour, making her a beloved figure in the industry. As quoted in the WWD article, Linda Wells, editor of Air Mail Look and founding editor of Allure, described Larkworthy’s writing as "original, graceful" and praised her ability to weave in references to literature and culture without pretension.
In 2005, Larkworthy was thrust into the national spotlight for a different reason. Her ex-boyfriend and former WWD reporter Peter Braunstein was involved in a nationwide manhunt after falsely gaining access to a former colleague’s apartment by dressing as a firefighter and then proceeding to sexually torment her. Braunstein was later sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for kidnapping, sexual abuse, and robbery.
Tributes to Larkworthy have been pouring in from colleagues and friends. Linda Wells, editor of Air Mail Look, described Larkworthy’s writing as "original, graceful" and praised her ability to weave in references to literature and culture without pretension. Beauty executive John Demsey called Larkworthy an "amazing friend and journalist", recalling her wild cabaret shows where she would sing and do stand-up comedy. Francesco Clark, founder of Clark’s Botanicals, remembered Larkworthy’s loyalty and heart, saying she had a way of making the world feel lighter.
Many have also spoken about Larkworthy’s generosity and mentorship. Jamie Rosen, beauty editor who worked for Larkworthy at W, credited her with getting her into the beauty industry. "She was generous and gracious with her knowledge and took me and so many other young editors under her wing," Rosen said. Jessica Matlin, now head of beauty and home at Moda Operandi, described Larkworthy as her "New York fairy godmother", recalling the guidance and support she received from Larkworthy during her early days in the industry.
Larkworthy is survived by her sister, Kate; brother, Peter; husband, Bertrand Garbassi; and stepchildren Luke and Astrid Schanz-Garbassi. Memorial arrangements are yet to be determined.
According to WWD, Larkworthy’s legacy in the beauty industry will be deeply missed, but her contributions will continue to inspire and influence future generations of beauty editors and writers. Her dedication to her craft and her passion for beauty have left a lasting impact on the industry, and she will be remembered as a true original.
