Breaking news, from the Hearstlink wires! Suzanne Sykes has just been named the new creative director of Marie Claire! This earth-shattering development was revealed earlier today in a stunning mid-day announcement by editor-in-chief Joanna Coles.

But what, you might ask, are Sykes’ qualifications?

Answer: She was previously the art director of Grazia, which you’ve never heard of because it’s from the U.K., and prior to that, she was the art director at M magazine, which you’ve also never heard of because it sucks for the very same reason.

Nevertheless, Coles seems thrilled to have her on board, describing herself as “elated to have lured [Sykes] to the States to work on Marie Claire.” Sadly, Coles does not explain exactly how Sykes was persuaded to emigrate here, although we presume it has something to do with Joanna’s feminine wiles.

Or possibly an incentive plan that does not, in any way, revolve around company stock.

The full intra-office (inter-office?) memo, after the jump!

NEW YORK,May 23, 2007 ― Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles today announced that Suzanne Sykes has been named creative director of the U.S. edition of Marie Claire, a joint venture between Hearst Magazines and Marie Claire Album, Marie Claire’s parent company in Paris. Sykes will join the magazine in August.

Most recently, Sykes served as art director of Grazia magazine, Britain’s first women’s weekly glossy, which she helped launched in 2005 for Emap. During her tenure at Grazia, Sykes was awarded Best Designed Launch at the Magazine Design Awards, 2006; Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) Designer of the Year, 2006; and the Yellow Pencil for Best Magazine & Newspaper Design at the D&AD Awards, 2006. Sykes began working for Emap in 2003.

Prior to that, Sykes was the art director for M magazine from its launch in 1999 to 2003. Just six months after its launch, the magazine was awarded Supplement of the Year at the Press Awards, and received the silver prize at the Total Publisher Design Awards in 2001 and 2002. Sykes also held art director positions for the U.K. edition of Marie Claire from its inception in 1989 to 1997, and U.K. fashion quarterly Folio Magazine from 1987-1989. She has also freelanced for Redwood Publishing and its satellite company Yellow Door.

“For years, Suzanne has been an influential force in magazine design and has proved her skills through wildly successful launches and groundbreaking ideas,” says Coles. “I am elated to have lured her to the States to work on Marie Claire. Suzanne’s experience and keen eye for design will help the magazine reach the next level in artistic and editorial excellence.”

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to join Marie Claire and work with the talented Joanna Coles,” says Sykes. “Having spent years at Marie Claire in the U.K., I have a great understanding for the brand and its appeal to smart, stylish women around the world. I can’t wait to bring my ideas and sensibility to the U.S. edition.”

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