Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the username or e-mail address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.

Joni Evans | 10/31/2008 1:00 am

Welcome Billy Norwich, wowOwow's Etceterist, Revealed!

Joni Evans

THE QUESTION: So … some of you have already been reading our fabulous columnist, "The Etceterist," who has been rocking our site for the last few months. Until NOW, The Etceterist has been posting anonymously, writing on everything from why the GOP’s spending of $150,000 on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe is ACTUALLY good for our country, to his interviews with Hollywood stars and celebs, during which he throws no softballs. Take for example his one-on-one with Kelly Klein, who is now 51 years young, just had a baby at age 50 and still looks like she’s 25. The Etceterist found out the HOW?! He is also a miracle worker, as he proved by sharing ten tricks to make the Grinches who stole Wall Street (and simultaneously Main Streets’ 401(k)s) look good. And they don’t include wearing camouflage or moving to a remote island. And speaking of the current financial hellstorm, The Etceterist took our minds off the mess with his Credit Crisis How-To: From Fashionista to Recessionista.

THE REVEAL: So here’s who it is: William Norwich (yes, a guy). Billy is a contributing editor and columnist for Vogue and the former editor of the style and entertaining sections of The New York Times Magazine. His around-the-town column, "William Norwich," appeared in The New York Daily News from 1985 to 1991, and in The New York Post from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1999, he wrote the weekly "Style Diary" column for The New York Observer and is the author of the novel Learning to Drive, published by Grove/Atlantic in 1996. He is also the author of a children’s book, Molly and the Magic Dress, published by Doubleday in 2002, and a forthcoming style guide from Random House (2010).

Billy_Norwich.jpg

THE WHY OF "THE ETCETERIST" NAME: Billy writes: "This is a site with such gravitas and serious intent, so adding commentary and news about style matters, the fluffy vainglorious concerns about food, clothing and shelter — as opposed to the need for them — we had better make it clear to our readers that we know, that they know … this is the lighter side of life, the etcetera. Hence The Etceterist."

Welcome, Billy. You won’t believe today’s story. Take a look by clicking here.

15 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

sibelledaubigne
I always expected William Norwich to be a guy! May i call you Billy? Yes you are a “Perfectionist” and a “Purist” ETC……….in the Old Magnificent Glorious Way! Cheers!
By sibelledaubigne on 10/31/2008 2:21 am
WineWarrior
Oh…Billy Norwich is just so cool! As Jackie O said life is the good and bad all mixed it with no need to separate it. And since the Banana Republican junta of 2000 we’ve lived in a split screen world. On one side our lives, and the other their daily projected surreal horror show. So why not everything mixed in here, too? Welcome, Billy…you still look adorable.
By WineWarrior on 10/31/2008 2:23 am
JamestheGame
Welcome, Mr. Norwich.
By JamestheGame on 10/31/2008 7:37 am
EmcyeEdwards
This gradual revelation has been fun to watch. Wonder how it reflects the core brand message: wowOwow is an online community created, owned & run for women by women?
By EmcyeEdwards on 10/31/2008 9:37 am
Joni Evans
Emcye: I worried about that for a second, too. Then I realized Billy reports to us gals (and likes it)! JE
By Joni Evans on 10/31/2008 12:47 pm
sibelledaubigne
Joni, Thank you for bringing some guys around! i definitely will visit more often. Some spice,after all!
By sibelledaubigne on 11/01/2008 2:28 pm
Cjay
I agree, Emcye … here we go again. It just takes time before someone thinks we “need help.”
By Cjay on 11/05/2008 10:52 am
georgiafatwood
Trick or Treat! Little presents for Hallowe’en? What a concept! Billy revealed, Liza’s new cartoon, the Friday dance-off video…..Be still my heart…… Thanks wowOwow…..now we won’t have to egg your car……
By georgiafatwood on 10/31/2008 9:39 am
AmeliePoulain
I dunno. It IS Hallowe’en. Are we sure its not a costume? It could be Kelly Ripa in a Billy Norwich costume. Welcome Wills. ;)
By AmeliePoulain on 10/31/2008 11:43 am
Dabado
Speaking of Kelly Ripa she did a pretty good Sarah Palin this morning and Regis was great as Biden.
By Dabado on 10/31/2008 3:18 pm
gulliverfourmyle
whew—-for a second i thought you meant ‘paul wolfitz’ (?)—-ya know that reep magician—-???????
By gulliverfourmyle on 10/31/2008 7:15 pm
MsDee1
Oh! Mr. Norwich. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop. Pleeeease!
By MsDee1 on 11/02/2008 10:57 am
DoraM
Welcome, Billy Norwich, a perfect addition to wowow :)
By DoraM on 11/02/2008 2:23 pm
rockyrocky
Welcome to wOw, Mr. Norwich.
By rockyrocky on 11/02/2008 8:04 pm
MaggieWeirWalker
When Billy was about 4 or 5 (1961-63ish) I lived in the apartment above his parents home in CTand was his babysitter . He was the handsomest, sweetest little boy and his parents (S & L) cherished him. I’ve followed his career for years and have always wanted to wish him well. Cheers, Billy - maybe you’ll have a chance to read this
By MaggieWeirWalker on 11/19/2009 1:07 pm