Elle magazine editor-in-chief Nina Garcia, a fixture of New York Fashion Week for 25 years, will miss this season’s shows as she recovers from a preventive double mastectomy.
In a personal essay published Thursday, Garcia described the mix of emotions she feels. “As an editor, I am used to expressing myself with words, but now I am struggling to find the right words,” she wrote. She admitted she is both scared and relieved, and certain she made the right choice.
BRCA Mutation Discovered in 2015
Garcia, 53 and best known to television audiences as a judge on Project Runway, first learned she carried a high-risk genetic mutation in 2015. Since then, she has undergone:
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Regular mammograms and breast exams
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Multiple biopsies
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Two lumpectomies
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Countless follow-up visits
“During that time, I was marked, poked, prodded, and even flipped,” she recalled. In January, after more tests, she and her doctor agreed a preventive double mastectomy was the best path forward.
Finding Strength in Community
Though Garcia initially planned to keep her health battle private, she found unexpected support when she reached out to friends who had undergone the same surgery.
“I realized I had joined an incredible community of strong women who had been through this,” she wrote. Their stories and encouragement gave her strength.
Gratitude Amid Uncertainty
Garcia acknowledged the road ahead will not be easy. She expects a painful recovery and eventual reconstruction surgery. Yet she remains grateful—for her family at Elle, for her insurance coverage, and for the network of women who offered support.
“My heart is heavy for the millions of women who aren’t as fortunate as I am,” she said. “All of this has taught me that you have to pay this love forward, be there for others, and share your life openly.”
A Message for Other Women
By sharing her story, Garcia hopes to offer comfort to anyone facing a similar choice. “To that woman, I want you to know that you are not alone,” she wrote—an affirmation that even the busiest fashion editor can pause to prioritize her health and inspire others to do the same.
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