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Post | 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.

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

sibelle daubigne

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 sibelle daubigne on 10/31/2008 2:21 am
Wine Warrior

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 Wine Warrior on 10/31/2008 2:23 am
James Gemmell

Welcome, Mr. Norwich.

By James Gemmell on 10/31/2008 7:37 am
Emcye Edwards

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 Emcye Edwards 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
sibelle daubigne

Joni,
Thank you for bringing some guys around! i definitely will visit more often. Some spice,after all!

By sibelle daubigne on 11/01/2008 2:28 pm
Carol J

I agree, Emcye … here we go again. It just takes time before someone thinks we “need help.”

By Carol J on 11/05/2008 10:52 am
georgia fatwood

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 georgia fatwood on 10/31/2008 9:39 am
Amelie Poulain

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 Amelie Poulain on 10/31/2008 11:43 am
Dab-a- do

Speaking of Kelly Ripa she did a pretty good Sarah Palin this morning and Regis was great as Biden.

By Dab-a- do on 10/31/2008 3:18 pm
gulliver fourmyle

whew—-for a second i thought you meant ‘paul wolfitz’ (?)—-ya know that reep magician—-???????

By gulliver fourmyle on 10/31/2008 7:15 pm
Ms. Dee

Oh! Mr. Norwich. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop. Pleeeease!

By Ms. Dee on 11/02/2008 10:57 am
Dora M

Welcome, Billy Norwich, a perfect addition to wowow :)

By Dora M on 11/02/2008 2:23 pm
rocky rocky

Welcome to wOw, Mr. Norwich.

By rocky rocky on 11/02/2008 8:04 pm