By Airell Ang

Seated on an all-too-familiar viridescent plush wing chair at a branch of the world’s most famous coffee joint, sipping a hot latte, is one of the supercool from the publishing industry: Adele Chan, editor of CATALOG magazine.

The monthly publication has not only been doing well with their own work, but has also won numerous contract publications for government bodies and shopping malls because of their unique editorial musings, cutting-edge designs and acute fashion eye.

The exchange with Adele was nothing short of enriching.

“When it comes to publishing, timelines are always tight, and once you’re done with an issue, the next one comes along. You pretty much have to find joy in what you’re doing or you’ll burn out really quickly,” she says.

Before her editorial position, Adele was in marketing for a renowned cosmetics line. She describes the switch as “seamless” because “it’s all about running a successful business and managing projects”.

One wonders how a pint-sized lady like her keeps track of the many tasks on her plate, and still have the stamina to churn out a competitive magazine every month.

“I have documents to keep track of who does what. When the assignment is due, I conduct meetings to discuss strategy and direction. I feed them – a hungry team is an angry team,” says Adele.

She adds, “The effort and the work going on behind a magazine is tremendous. I know the stress my subordinates are going through, partly because I’ve been there and done that.”

“I know the deadlines are tough. That’s why I try to make things different by easing on the pressure, and becoming their friend instead of their superior. And we have more fun this way.”

If you’re an aspiring editor, Adele spills “the traits that are most welcome: meticulous, particular and sociable. Needless to say, you need to have an excellent command of the English language as well.”

As she sips her latte, she talks about her typical day at work.

“It’s busy. It really is. I respond to emails, plan editorial content, assign articles and projects to team members, then subsequently chase them for submission of work, edit articles, check page layout for text errors and design.”

As she ponders over the interview questions, she shuffles her Maison Martin Margiela ankle boots, depicting the usual anxiety any managerial person would face, and of course, that immaculate fashion sense.

So what is it about CATALOG magazine that puts them at the forefront of Singapore’s fashion scene?

“I’ve got a brilliant team of people who are already in-the-know of the scene in Singapore. They are all very receptive to oncoming trends from the powerhouses like Paris, London, and of course the capital city that epitomises anti-fashion, Tokyo,” says Adele, brimming with pride.

Unlike the editors of other successful publications, Adele differentiates herself by being more relaxed.

“I don’t take things too seriously. Just lighten up!”