NEW YORK, October 15, 2019 — Diane Solway, Editor-in-Chief of Surface Media, today announced the appointment of Dennis Freedman as Surface Media’s Consulting Creative Director, effective immediately. In his new role, Freedman will work closely with Solway as Surface Media reimagines and expands its dynamic engagement with design, art, architecture, fashion, and travel. Freedman’s deep and far-ranging experience and creative vision will help shape the evolution of Surface Media’s magazine, digital platforms, live experiences, and strategic partnerships.
Freedman was the founding Creative Director of W Magazine, where he and Solway collaborated for many years, and where Solway most-recently served as Features and Culture Director until the magazine was acquired by Future Media Group earlier this year. After leaving W, Freedman served as Creative Director of Barneys New York where he pioneered new ways to connect with customers, including the shopable video and collaborations with Lady Gaga, Jay Z, Baz Luhrmann, Miuccia Prada and John Galliano. Freedman also brought a new level of interactivity to its windows, working with artists and photographers, among them the Louise Bourgeois estate, Alex Katz, Juergen Teller, and Mario Sorrenti.
“Dennis’ groundbreaking creativity and influence in the visual world is legendary and I am excited to be collaborating with him again in bringing Surface’s brand and platforms to a new level of performance,” said Solway. “Design is his passion and he will be instrumental as we expand our communities and dynamically connect our audiences with the innovators featured across our platforms.”
“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Diane and, together, we have curated some of the most dynamic stories and programming that I’ve done in my career,” said Freedman. “I am looking forward to collaborating with her on the realization of her vision for Surface Media and its unparalleled ability to engage its audiences with the leading creatives of our time.”
At W, Freedman spearheaded W’s transformation from a fledging newsprint tabloid to a leading creative showcase for some of the foremost fashion photographers of the day, among them Philip Lorca di Corcia, Steven Klein, and David Sims. He is also one of the world’s foremost collectors of modern and contemporary design. In February, a show of nearly 70 pieces from Freedman’s collection of Italian radical design will open at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Titled “Radical: Italian Design 1965-1985, the Dennis Freedman Collection,” the show will subsequently travel to the Yale School of Architecture Gallery.
Surface Media is owned by Future Media Group (FMG), the company that recently acquired W Magazine from Condé Nast. Diane Solway was named Editor-in-Chief of Surface in September 2019. Previously, Solway was the Features and Culture Director of W Magazine.
