Essence Magazine –a staple of elegance for Black women since the 1970s — has sparked outrage in the world of African-American publishing and among readers of the lifestyle monthly after selecting a White woman to head up the mag’s Fashion/Style Department.

This September, Ellianna Placas will step into her new role as Essence’s new Fashion Director. The girl certainly knows her stuff: Placas has a lengthy history in style and impressive resume that includes working for O: The Oprah Magazine, Us Weekly, and contributing/styling for many television shows. All that means little to many readers and supporters of the publication, who would prefer to see a woman of color (You know, the magazine’s target audience…) appointed to such a prestigious position.

Writer Michaela Angela Davis has been particularly vocal about her disappointment with the mag’s new hire:

“It is with a heavy heavy heart I have learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director, this hurts, literally, spiritually. If there were balance in the industry; if we didn’t have a history of being ignored and disrespected; if more mainstream fashion media included people of color before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women ‘diversified’, it would feel different.”

Fashion personality Najwa Moses echoed Michaela’s disappointment, telling Clutch Magazine: “How could such a prestigious title who is deeply rooted in its target audience let someone who is not even apart of the African Diaspora detonate our image? How can a White woman dictate and decide what style and beauty is for the Black woman?”

Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray, who hired Placas, has responded to the stir with a statement issued Wednesday:

“We were conducting a search for a new director when she was hired to run the department on a freelance basis. I got to see firsthand her creativity, her vision, the positive reader response to her work, and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. As such, I thought she’d make an excellent addition to our team. And I still do. This decision in no way diminishes my commitment to black women, our issues, our fights. I am listening and I do take the concerns to heart,” she writes.

“But interestingly enough, the things I think should most upset people and inspire boycotts and Facebook protests, often seem to go relatively unnoticed…When we run story after story on how HIV is the leading cause of death for black women age 18-34? Zilch. The things that really are the end of our world apparently aren’t,” Burt-Murray says.

“While the response to these important stories may not always be as strong as we would like or lead to immediate change, Essence remains committed to telling these stories. Forty years ago Essence was founded to empower, celebrate, and inspire black women to climb higher, go further and break down barriers. Our commitment to black women remains unchanged….”

Essence sparked a similar controversy about race last winter. A sector of readers were incensed when editors selected NFL ace Reggie Bush as cover model of the mag’s “Black Love” issue, particularly since the New Orleans Saints star has been in a series of high-profile romances with non-Black women.