John B. Fairchild ’49

John died Feb. 27, 2015, in New York.

The publisher of Women’s Wear Daily since 1960, he retired in 1997 but continued to take an active part in that publication.

John came to Princeton from Kent School. He majored in English, was a member of Court Club, and left without graduating. John spent the rest of his life working at Fairchild Publications, which owned Women’s Wear Daily and W magazine, serving as its chief executive. He was without question an enormously influential figure in the world of fashion.

John’s intense focus on that world tended to minimize any interest in, or connection with, the Class of 1949. Yet occasionally he let a comment slip, and we can get a hint of his puckish sense of humor. In a 1968 article in Civilization magazine, he wrote about his life under the title “Souffle or P.B. & J.” It described some of his luncheon experiences and included a delightful photograph of John slurping from a jar of Skippy peanut butter.

He is survived by his wife, Jill; and children James, John L., Stephen, and Jill. Our condolences go to John’s family and friends.