“Project Runway” diva judge Nina Garcia has been given her walking papers from her post at Elle magazine. Word on the street is that she was “let go.” However, there is no official explanation for her sudden departure.

Neither Garcia, Elle editor in chief Robbie Myers nor a spokeswoman for Elle could be reached for comment.

On Tuesday, Elle hosted a dinner with Moschino to celebrate Simon Doonan’s new book, “Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fashionable You”, but Garcia was notably absent.

Speculation about Garcia’s departure has swirled for months, especially after the arrival of Joe Zee at the beginning of 2007 as creative director. Last spring, Garcia left the magazine on maternity leave, and began writing a monthly fashion column for Elle upon her return. Garcia was in the office on Friday morning, but by the afternoon, sources close to the building say Hachette’s Midtown offices were abuzz about the rumor.

The editor, who has already penned one book, “The Little Black Book of Style,” is a judge on the Bravo reality show “Project Runway”, which earlier this week switched to Lifetime Television under a more lucrative contract. NBC Universal, Bravo’s owner, has sued The Weinstein Co., producer of “Project Runway,” over the move.

There’s no word on whether her departure will effect her position as a judge on Project Runway.

source: [wwd]