Kimberly Haddad

MANAGING EDITOR
@indygo_ann

Who is Kimberly Haddad both personally and professionally?
Personally, I am a very curious woman who is always seeking to explore new avenues, interests, and connections. I am a lover, a hopeless romantic, and an introspective introvert. I am someone who is consistently finding ways to better myself, whether that is through meditation and fitness or simply utilizing my creative skills to articulate myself in new ways. Professionally, I am first and foremost, a writer. Writing is my absolute favorite outlet for expression. I am also an intimacy coach and take great pride in being trusted to help others navigate their intimate relationships. I am ambitious, creative, and steadfast.

Think back to your childhood. What did you hope to become as an adult?
When I was super young, all I wanted to do was work with animals and become a dolphin trainer. But once I got a bit older and started leaning into my creativity, it was all about fashion for me. I would sketch clothing and make my own pieces, hand-sewing fabrics and using my mother’s hot glue gun to attach rhinestones and sequins to literally everything. In junior high, I started cutting my old jeans into skirts and decorating them with paints, patches, jewels, and other accessories. Eventually, girls started asking me to make skirts for them too, so I went around collecting their old jeans, $20, and gave them one-of-a-kind pieces in return. I even won best dressed in high school, which is still really funny to me when I look back at my outfits.

Tell me about your educational background and training in terms of your career path.
I went to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. During college, I interned at Pasadena Magazine and freelanced for a couple of local music publications for free tickets and a byline. I was doing everything I could to build my portfolio and sometimes that meant working for trade. After graduation, I moved to New York City for an internship with VICE Media. I had the opportunity to spend my summer working with the Motherboard team and writing a handful of articles. When I moved back to Los Angeles, I became the managing editor at Pasadena Magazine and continued to grow as both a writer and editor, which eventually led me to BASIC.

How would you describe your personality?
Compassionate, playful, and driven. I am deeply passionate and authentic in the ways in which I present myself.

Tell me about a couple of the roles you held prior to joining BASIC Magazine and how you ended up joining the team.
Prior to BASIC, I was working as a project manager and copywriter at Anyone Collective, a brand management and creative services agency where I had the opportunity to collaborate with influential brands and execute a diversity of marketing projects. After that, I was a staff writer for CreativeFuture, a non-profit organization that works to protect theft of digital creative works. While the company was making a huge difference in the digital ecosystem, the job itself was not for me and I knew I had to get back into the editorial space. I was searching online and came across a listing for the managing editor position at BASIC. Viktorija responded the same week, I met with her for an interview, and she hired me on the spot after I found a typo in one of the previous issues that no one had caught. I just celebrated three years on the team!

What in your personal life has influenced you to choose your career and what people and/or things inspire your creative efforts?
I have been writing short stories and sketching clothing ever since a I was a young girl. I had always wanted to be a fashion designer, but after attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for a year, I decided that as much as I loved fashion, writing was my purpose, and I had to explore that avenue further. I am so inspired by books and the creative works of others. I typically read two books simultaneously, mostly memoir or self-help as I am infinitely intrigued by the lives of others and of course, engaging in self-improvement.

Tell me about your experience working for BASIC and how your role as a managing editor has pushed your career forward. What have been some of your favorite moments and/or challenges?
Landing a job at BASIC has been an absolute dream, truly. I have been part of many creative and editorial teams and this is by far, my favorite. I am in constant awe of Nigel’s creativity and Viktorija is such an influential individual to work alongside. I genuinely look up to her, not only as my editor, but as a woman. I will forever be grateful for her trust in me and her consistent encouragement to keep learning and striving to be better. Joining the BASIC team has given me so many unforgettable experiences from being on a multitude of sets to interviewing some of the world’s biggest talent. I feel very lucky.

What do you hope to achieve moving forward at BASIC?
I’d honestly really love to start filming video interviews to accompany our print issues. It would definitely force me out of my comfort zone, but being able to have face-to-face conversations with our artists and celebrities on camera would capture such a different kind of intimacy and realness. I live for that.

Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned?
I think it’s a combination of the two. I believe most humans are creative in their own way and some choose to explore it while other’s do not. I definitely think some individuals are more naturally creative and expressing their creativity comes much easier than the average person, but anyone can be creative really. It’s about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and doing things that are different or things you may not be used to doing. For me personally, I have always been creative, but if I don’t act on those thoughts or ideas when inspiration sparks, I find it more challenging to get into that headspace. There is absolutely some nurturing involved, but everyone has their own unique process.

When reflecting on the past issues, what have been two of your favorite spreads?
One of my favorite spreads was featured in the very first issue I was part of when I initially joined the team. It’s called “The Dark Side of Fashion” and was about the interweaving of fetish paraphernalia into contemporary haute couture. Not only was it my first feature in BASIC, but the accompanying photography was just stunning—the perfect combination of edgy and elegant. I’d say my second favorite would be the Tyga spread in issue nine. I really enjoyed our interview and the black and white aesthetic was classic.

Tell me about what it was like being in front of the camera this time, rather than behind the scenes.
Oh goodness, I was so nervous. I get really anxious in front of the camera and it takes me some time to get comfortable. I am just incredibly grateful for Viktorija and our talented team. My little sister also came with me for emotional support and brought me a shot of whisky to calm my nerves.

When you are not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
When I am not working, I am in the gym, dancing, reading, and spending time with friends and family. I am also an intimacy coach and spend quite a bit of time working with my lovely clients.

What are your words of wisdom for someone starting out in your field?
As a writer, you cannot allow rejection to defeat your purpose. Prepare your mindset for many rejections and understand that a “no” is not personal and it certainly is not a reflection of your worth or talent. Take note of useful criticism and keep honing your craft.

What’s your sign and do you think it’s obvious to others when they meet you?
I am literally the walking epitome of a Libra and I love it. I think it’s pretty obvious, but I have no idea what others truly think. I’ve heard people say Libras got that energy, that sauce, that little something extra, and I agree.

What is something you’ve had to learn to accept about yourself?
That I am often misunderstood. I’ve had to learn to be at peace with that and remind myself that everyone’s views and opinions are filtered through their own vulnerabilities and perspectives. Every individual will assume their own version of me and that’s okay. I don’t need the validation of others to feel worthy. I know exactly who I am and what I stand for.

Name the last three songs you listened to on your Spotify.
“Yebba’s Heartbreak” by Drake, “After the Beep” by Tanerélle, and “Double Up” by Nipsey Hussle.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos.

What are your top three fashion brands?
Gucci, Moschino, and Alexander McQueen.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who are unaware of their surroundings.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
To put yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand their experience before judging or reacting to a particular situation.

What’s your drink of choice?
Tito’s and soda.

What is your favorite book and what are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford. One of my all-time favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
I jumped off the world’s third highest bungee platform in New Zealand.

What TV show can you watch over and over again without getting tired of it?
Friends.

How would you describe your job in one word?
Stimulating.

How would you describe your boss in three words?
Innovative, unflinching, and kind-hearted.

BUY ISSUE 20 HERE