In November 2017, Condé Nast was reportedly looking to cut about 80 jobs, but over the last year, GQ has seen a significant amount of departures, including several high-level exits. Around seven people were laid off from the editorial staff last November, including the magazine’s long-time fashion director, Madeline Weeks. Since then, the magazine has also seen the departure of Design Director Fred Woodward and Fashion Market Director Ted Stafford; Jim Moore, who had been creative director for four decades, stepped down into an at-large role in December. An additional round of editorial staff layoffs took place in May.
In a memo announcing his departure, Nelson wrote: “Now feels like a good time for me to figure out the next chapter of my life. (It’ll be a good one, I promise.)”
Nelson will be succeeded by Will Welch, the former editor-in-chief of GQ Style. Welch also previously took over as creative director after Moore’s role change.
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