What is the best part of being the Editor-in-Chief of SUITCASE?
Working with such a talented and diverse group of contributors. Almost everyone wants to travel in some form, and I think that has granted us access to writers and photographers that other independents might not be able to work with so readily. Many of our contributors are emerging talents and have launched alongside SUITCASE (like our food editors, The Curious Pear), and that’s really exciting to see.
You have a background in fashion journalism and have travelled extensively; was the opportunity to work on a publication that covers both, a dream for you?
I don’t think I ever really wanted to work in pure fashion. What initially drew me to SUITCASE was the way in which the magazine used fashion innovatively, as a tool to gain insight into different cultures – through designer profiles, shoots on-location and collaborating with local teams. I think we’ve managed marry two major industries in a way that’s unique.
What are the challenges of leading a multi-media publication?
My inbox. That, and maintaining a strong voice across different content channels. Our print articles are generally long-form, while online we publish a lot of practical information and travel round-ups (and social media is another beast entirely…) It can be hard to make sure our content remains diverse while also keeping our brand personality as singular and strong as possible.
What are your must-have travel essentials?
Dr Hausckha rose day cream, Beats in-ear headphones and a good book (currently Autumn by Ali Smith).
Any words of wisdom for the solo traveller?
Travelling solo can make people feel quite vulnerable, which in turns leads people to reach for a distraction or connection to something familiar i.e. your phone. Try to minimise the amount of time spent on technology while you’re away – embrace the feeling of being out of your depth and focus on what’s going on around you.
Describe your dream trip?
The destinations I enjoy the most are the ones that have made me work to uncover their charms. In our recent issue I loved both Accra and Bulgaria, both places that left people with quite blank expressions when I said I was going, and both places that took a while to get to grips with (they’re not beautiful in a conventional way and they’re not particularly geared up for tourism). In terms of dreaming of futures trips, I lived in Alabama for a few years as a girl (yes, really) and would love to go back to explore the Deep South.
Tell us about your favourite way to relax once an issue is completed?
We normally have a series of stupidly late nights in the run up to deadline so sleep is crucial! I prefer not to travel right after we’ve gone to print. I’d rather catch up with my friends and family – the people I’ve neglected in the weeks before – and recalibrate before heading off again.
What are the hot trends for 2017?
Solo travel is a big one, transformative travel is another. We’re seeing more and more people wanting to return home feeling enriched in some way or another – which might mean learning a new skill like a language or yoga practice.
What can subscribers expect from future issues? Why subscribe?
The theme for our summer issue is Wild, so there’s a mix of stories on why we need wilderness and what it means for different people. We’re currently looking at ways to enhance the subscription experience (perhaps through a gift or a hotel programme). For now, our subscribers should know that every issue better than the last. There’s quite a lot of self-imposed pressure in that statement, but I think it keeps us all going.
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