Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements fired

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Kirstie Clements has been fired as editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia in a move that has sent shock waves around the local fashion industry.

Edwina McCann, editor of Harper's Bazaar, has been confirmed as Clements' replacement.

Clements was ousted from her role at magazine publisher NewsLifeMedia along with fellow senior execs Mark Kelly, lifestyle group editor, and InsideOut's Richard Waller.

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NewsLifeMedia chief executive Nicole Sheffield delivered the shock news this afternoon after months of speculation predicting a 'culture change' in the Murdoch-owned publishing house.

Clements, who recently celebrated her fiftieth birthday, led the magazine for 10 years.

The Vogue brand was recently in the headlines when all 19 of its editors around the world signed what's been called The Health Initiative, a pledge to only employ models over the age of 16 and of a healthy weight.

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Edwina McCann is the former fashion editor of The Australian, also a News Limited holding, and had been at the helm of Harper's Bazaar for three years.

Following the announcement of her sudden defection, McCann told media that she was pleased to be returning to Vogue Australia.

"I started my career at Vogue and I am very excited about returning to work for the world's most powerful fashion media brand. The opportunities for this formidable brand online and in a social media landscape are endless and our future is very bright indeed."

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