The Adele Chan Interview
Thank you, Adele!
My foray into media was 6 months at NYLON Singapore.
Adele Chan was the highlight. She assigned me campaigns for big brands, shared stories for learning; before I left, blasted my resume to dream luxury brands and magazines for consideration.
When I share my story, I often get feedback from people who’ve worked briefly with her or spread hearsay. For better or worse, I smile.
One year after working for Adele, we catch up in the NYLON office, discussing her reputation, come-up, and career.
You’ve called out Singapore beauty media, revealed actual salaries in media, exposed hellish interns. People have commented.
I don’t care.
Editors are the nicest people. Like Noelle from Female. Serene at CNA Lifestyle. And Kenneth from Harper’s.
Is it good PR for NYLON?
There’s no bad PR. Look at Daryl Aiden Yow. Singapore is very forgiving. I don’t write for controversy. I write for our readers. If it’s interesting and relevant, they’ll read.
Is NYLON adele.com?
I knew sentiments over “Interns from hell” would be divided. But I knew my stories were interesting. Why not? Many were entertained. I got so many emails, messages. Even asked Sharon Lim, Niki Bruce for stories.
Career.
Started in ad sales at Mediacorp TV12, for Kids Central, Arts Central, Suria. 20 years ago, I’d go to work, get “hantam” by my boss. I’d see my coworkers yelled at, think it was acceptable. Millennials wouldn’t stand for it today.
It hardened me to everything life threw my way. I moved to ad sales at Catalog Magazine. My editor was Phin Wong, who now heads CNA Lifestyle. I jumped to the client side, for Estee Lauder. Jumped back to Catalog when they restarted under a new publisher, as editor. It was unique for me from ad sales to crossover to editorial. The publisher knew, trusted me to run editorial and business.
An Editor-in-Chief…
Conceptualises, oversees. Ensures ideas are executed as imagined. Not behind my desk, but on set.
I’ve honed my passion for photography. Google. Taught myself. Now I use a Leica M. Haven’t engaged a photographer for NYLON in years. Saved us money!
SPH has departments. NYLON is fluid.
NYLON Singapore.
Was pregnant, took a year off. Planned business plan for NYLON with Kenath (husband, associate publisher: credited for business acumen, operations expertise).
Wrote to NYLON US that I was interested to start NYLON Singapore. No one replied. Found NYLON Indonesia. Reached out to MPG Media, who linked me with editor from Surface Asia Magazine. Was commissioned to be their Singapore correspondent.
While pregnant, worked on business plan for NYLON, wrote, executed fashion shoots for Surface. For 6 months, pitched to clients and agencies a hypothetical magazine. Signed 5 fictitious master contracts even before signing NYLON.
If you want to start a magazine, it’s very expensive. You need millions.
Why NYLON?
Catalog, Alexis, Juice Magazine were all inspired by NYLON. NYLON US had been stocked in Singapore for years. There was brand awareness.
From working for to running a magazine. How?
Confidence. Being an editor for so long, my network of clients and agencies was pretty much the whole of Singapore.
I always knew the next step was an international title. Had no interest in homegrown title, even Her World, Female. With NYLON, I can do whatever the hell I want.
A good editor-in-chief…
Doesn’t take things personally. Is professional. Has integrity, ethics. Doesn’t put opinion as fact, and doesn’t accept bribes. Their personal life reflects professionally.
It’s easier to do at an independent magazine; no one tells me not to do something at the risk of losing ad sales.
How-to editor-in-chief?
- Join the magazine you want to edit for, your interest will be honed
- Stick it out, don’t change jobs too regularly; it reflects poorly
- A bit of luck
