Skirt! Magazine

Skirt magazine was launched in Charleston in June 1994 by Nikki Hardin, a female entrepreneur who began with $400 and the desire to create a publication that spoke to all sides of a woman's personality. The first issue declared: "skirt Is all about women - their work, their play, families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls. ... skirt Is an attitude - spirited, independent, outspoken, serious, playful and irreverent, sometimes controversial, always passionate. The magazine gained a loyal following for its unconventional design and its spirited voice. Hardin sold skirt to Morris Communications in Augusta, Georgia, in 2003, but remained publisher for 10 years. During that time, Morris launched the title in 10 Southeastern markets as part of a franchise strategy. While other markets closed during the recession, skirt magazine has continued to have a loyal audience and strong brand recognition in the growing Charleston market. Longtime account representative Jenny Dennis was named publisher in 2014. She maintained the magazine's voice and worked tirelessly to maintain the magazine's position in the market during a time of transition. In June 2018, in an effort to regain local control of resources and reposition the magazine, skirt's publisher, Thomas Giovanniello, Jr., formed Holy City Publishing and bought the licensing rights to skirt. The magazine relaunched in June 2018 with a bold new redesign. The redesign is a power move to attract new readers and advertisers, to give skirt increased visibility and to offer its readers a positive experience and advertisers a high-quality product. What remains the same is skirt's strong voice, spirited attitude and focus on women. As Skirt. celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2019, Holy City Publishing was acquired by a local entrepreneur, "Pixie" Paula Dezzutti, the CEO of Local Choice Spirits. "Pixie's" passion as a woman entrepreneur was a perfect fit for the Skirt. ethos. Her zeal for brand development and her skill in market development will help Skirt. grow not only Charleston's Women's magazine, but beyond.