Jane Larkworthy, legendary beauty editor, died at 62

Jane Larkworthy, the experienced beauty editor who wrote for The Cut and for years of New York magazine, led the beauty coverage in W magazine, died on Wednesday at 62.

The cause of death was a long battle against cancer, confirmed her sister Kate Larkworthy and her husband Bertrand Garbassi.

Widely respected for its scholarly beauty cover in titles such as The Cut and Air Mail Look in New York, Larkworthy Helmed W Magazine Magazine from 2000 to 2016.

But she became more widely known to the general public for another reason: in 2005, Larkworthy became swept in the cover of a human hunting on a national scale for her ex-girlfriend and former WWD journalist, Peter Braunstein, who falsely had access to the apartment of a former colleague by dressing as a firefighter and then sexually acceded to himself. He was then sentenced to 18 years old in life prison for kidnapping, sexual abuse and theft.

“She was unique of a kind. She was a great journalist, and I think of her contributions to the beauty industry and the way she defended so many talents,” said William Li, a close friend of Larkworthy’s, who is also an editor of Town & Country special projects. “Makeups, hairstyles, even small independent brands – she was always enthusiastic about discoveries and she was never jaded.”

It seemed to be the consensus among the relatives of her.

“I got to know Jane during the decades during various beauty events and I immediately liked her energy and her original and funny point of view on our world. She was a pro and so loved,” said Linda Wells, editor -in -chief of Air Mail Look, who was the chief editor.

“Late in the two careers, I had the chance to work with her directly when she wrote for Air Mail Look. What a good adventure! She explored her bathing habits – she sometimes took several in one day – her fascination for a spout, her love of perfumer Mandy after, and her unexpected experiences with gummies. Pretend.

The frame of beauty John Demsey called her an incredible friend and journalist. “The world has lost one of the OGS in style. She was a great journalist, she did her homework, she worked hard, she was funny, she was ironic, she loved life. She used to have these wild cabaret shows where she sang, she would do standing comedy,” he recalls. “It is a loss for industry, it is a loss for your friends and it is a loss for me.”

Francesco Clark, founder, president and chief executive officer of Clark’s Botanicals, was also a longtime friend of the editor.

“Jane Larkworthy was the kind of person whose presence made the world a little lighter. I was intimidated before meeting her – but in a few moments, her spirit, her warmth and this sense of disarming humor made me feel as if I knew her forever.

“This kind of loyalty and heart is not common. Jane has brought the lightness even in the heaviest days, and her absence leaves a void that words cannot fill. She did not simply write about beauty – she shaped the way we saw it, and she did it with compassion, intelligence and a radiance that was entirely hers. I will never forget it.”

This loyalty also extended to those who worked for her. “Jane is the reason why I got into beauty,” said Jamie Rosen, the editor -in -chief who first worked for Larkworthy as the editor of W. W. “She was generous and graceful with her knowledge and took me and so many other young publishers under her wing. But she was never more holy than you. “

Rosen recalled the first day of Larkworthy in the office after his engagement with Garbassi. “There was a jostling at her office to hear all the details. Everyone was so exaggerated for her because they knew she had met this one, and that she deserved so much happiness. She did it.”

Also an acolyte of Larkworthy, Jessica Matlin – now responsible for beauty and the house in Moda Operandi – described Larkworthy as her “New York fairy godmother”, noting that they first worked together at Jane magazine when Matlin was an intern, then W when she became a beauty assistant.

“While I was her assistant, Jane assumed the role of Manhattan’s mother. She taught me to pronounce words like “Guerlain”, introduced me to senior executives as if I were her boss, took me with her on ancient weekends in the Hudson valley, went to see Rufus Wainwright (including the legendary professional at the time of Carnegie), and he takes me from the professional. There was one couple, ”said Matlin. “Jane dared to be the kind of boss who gives herself so much.

Although Larkworthy and Garbassi decamped to Massachusetts during the pandemic, she continued to write and work in real estate.

“Jane was also a music lover,” said Li. “Particularly singing. Jane had a beautiful voice, she sang throughout the university, and when a song arrived she loved, she sang. She was very favorable to the Vocalis youth choir.”

Larkworthy is survived by her sister, Kate; Brother, Peter; Husband, Garbassi; And the fine child Luke and Astrid Schanz-Garbassi. The commemorative arrangements had not yet been determined.