Indigo Baloch could be on the cover of Nylon, but she’d prefer to make the masthead. The aspiring magazine editor leads the Communique, supporting students as they chronicle life on Woodland Road. She’s committed to her craft, but her voice is not bound to the page. An actor, Baloch stars in student films and performs with the Drama Club (she’s got roles in The Vagina Monologues, Chicago and Rocky Horror on her resume). And as a poet, she’s frequently spotted at open mics around town (including the Rea Coffeehouse Reading Series).
To discover Indigo’s editing strategy, find out which designers she’d invite to dinner and learn how she constructs her inspired ensembles, read on.
Her Campus Chatham: Looking back, which writer significantly influenced you first?
Indigo Baloch: Dorothy Parker. She was so strong and independent. And she was so good at balancing journalism and creative writing. She’s one of my greatest role models. If I can be half of the woman she was, I’ll be satisfied.
When did you know writing played an important role in your life?
From a very young age I’ve been writing creatively. I wrote my first real poem in kindergarten and my parents were very supportive—which I’m very grateful for. They fostered my writing.
Why did you choose Chatham?
I actually didn’t think I’d go to college. I thought I didn’t need to if I was going to write. I had no idea what I was doing with my life. But I was very lucky and had an incredible gifted education teacher in high school who was a Chatham alumna. She told me I couldn’t waste my gift and that Chatham had a great writing program. She got me excited about it, helped me with my application, and wrote me a letter of recommendation. I wouldn’t be here without her.
What are you studying? Why did you choose it?
Creative Writing and Journalism. I started with just Creative Writing and I was taking Tony Norman’s journalism class for fun. I’d taken a class in high school and loved it. But Tony said I had a talent and that I should pursue it so I decided to double major.
It’s difficult for many people to make the leap from writing in their diary to sharing their work in class. What advice do you have for others who want to study their craft at the collegiate level?
Don’t be afraid. I know it’s nerve-wracking, but if you open yourself up and share your gift, you will be so surprised and pleased with the acceptance and kindness of others. I recently did a poetry reading and I was so nervous—even though I’ve done them before. But afterwards, people came up to me and told me they loved my work and were so happy I read. It feels so good and I think everyone should take advantage of the great opportunities this world can offer us.
Indigo onstage at Chatham’s Rea Coffeehouse Reading Series
What is the biggest mistake an individual can make when offering feedback on someone else’s work?
Never shut someone down. Never be mean. It’s okay not to like something or to not understand it, but never put someone down and make them afraid to write or share their work again. That’s so horrible—to kill someone else’s talent before it can be polished.
How did you become the Editor-in-Chief of the Communiqué?
The last Editor-in-Chief—Kitoko—needed someone to take over when she graduated. It sounds much simpler than it was, but Tony recommended me to Kitoko and I started working as her Managing Editor. She trained me and prepared me for months and all of a sudden it was all mine. It was overwhelming, but now, two three semesters in, it’s like my baby. The Communiqué is very important to me.
What is the most challenging part of your position?
Well first, as a student, it takes up a lot of my time. Sometimes it’s overwhelming. The workload is enormous. I have the most incredible editorial board I could ask for, but sometimes it’s still so much to handle. Second, it’s never easy to hound people for articles. You want to be nice, but you don’t want people taking advantage of your kindness. You want to foster their writing experience without scaring them off. They’re all volunteer writers so they could leave at any time. They’re doing this on their own time, even with classes and other responsibilities. I’m so grateful for my whole staff so it’s never easy to get serious with one of them and request an article they didn’t get in on time. It’s a lot like parenting I think.
How does your experience as a writer influence the way you edit the work of others?
I always try to be as thoughtful and kind as possible. I will point out their mistakes, but I’m never mean. I try to help them improve their writing rather than rewriting everything they’ve submitted. That won’t help them at all in the future—you have to workshop with them. You have to be available. You have to be a resource.
Tony Norman serves as the faculty advisor to the Communique. What is the most important thing he’s taught you?
You have to write. You have to. When you go to apply for jobs, it doesn’t matter if you’re the best writer in the world. The employer will look for the biggest pile of clips. They might pick a horrible writer over you just because that person has more experience. It isn’t fair, but it’s life. This is why I always try to push my staff and other students to write.
Indigo, Editor-in-Chief of the Communique
Last summer, you interned at WHIRL. What did you work on there?
I was a Fashion Editorial intern. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was my first internship and I’m so lucky it was at a magazine like WHIRL. Everyone there was so helpful and kind. And they’re all so good at what they do. They taught me the ins and outs of magazines. I helped with editing, writing, photo shoots, and events. My magnum opus was an online article that I wrote with a correlating fashion shoot. I styled and managed the photo shoot with my fellow intern and good friend, Cassie Pawk, and it turned out just as we wanted.
What surprised you most about interning for a magazine?
Magazines are so different from newspapers. In some ways it’s obvious, but it’s not always. There’s so much work that goes into it. It’s so image driven. It requires such a detailed eye. It takes so many people and so many departments and so much skill. Newspapers do too, of course, but the content is the main focus. Magazines also have to look flawless. There’s so much pressure.
You’re also highly interested in fashion. How did that passion emerge?
I’ve always been interested in fashion. I don’t think it’s uncommon, but I’ve always loved fashion shows like America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway. I love what fashion can do. So many people underestimate it. There’s a quote I love from Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl: “Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.”
When you’re putting together an outfit, how do you start?
I start by thinking about where my inspiration for the day is coming from. I rarely just throw something on. Even if I’m wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, I’ve put thought into it. I’ve made a conscious decision. It sounds dramatic, but I put a lot of thought into everything I do.
Why is fashion special to you?
I love to express myself. I love to act. Fashion gives me so much freedom. Like I said, I love to draw inspiration from things. Any time something catches my eye in a movie or a magazine, etc. I don’t just want to store it for later. As soon as I see something I like, I try to recreate the look with what I have—and usually it turns out okay! I love what fashion can do for you. Fashion has so many layers to it. It allows you to become whatever you want.
What is your dream job?
I would love to be the editor of magazine—especially Nylon. I love their look. There’s nothing I love more than a new issue of Nylon. On a smaller scale—I love styling and managing photo shoots for fashion spreads, and interviewing people. I love to interview.
What do you love most about being a Chatham student?
I love the sisterhood. I’ll really miss that. I didn’t come here because it was a women’s college—if anything that deterred me at first. But being here, being part of this has changed me. I don’t know how to change back. I don’t want to. I’ve become so much stronger being here. I’ve developed a voice and a sense of independence. There are so many opportunities I’ve been offered that I never would have received at a coed university.
Speed Round!
You can invite three designers to dinner. Who do you choose?
Oh geez. That’s tough. Karl Lagerfeld of course, Valentino Garavani, and Luella Bartley. I worship them.
Imagine you get $10,000 to go shopping, but you can only keep three items that are currently in your closet. Which three do you pick?
Yikes. Well a lot of stuff I could probably buy again so I’d probably keep things I wouldn’t be able to get back. I have this beautiful, beaded vintage blouse that means the world to me. I saw it at an antique store once but didn’t have the money. When I went back a few weeks later, it was gone. I went back again after a couple months and it was there again. I’ll never let it go after that. Also, my Smiths T-shirt. It also has a long story behind it and lots of sentimental value. Lastly, my Rotary Exchange blazer. It looks really cool with all the pins on it, but each pin has a history and meaning. Some were given to me, some I had, some I collected. Either way, everything on there means something to me, and it’s always a reminder of my time abroad and the friends I made and the things I learned.
Indigo in Romania
What was the last article you read?
Actually something from the Communiqué—if that counts. We do editing every weekend.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Get involved, speak up, and be good. For many people this will be an entirely new experience. You might be away from home for the first time, living on your own for the first time. You have to make new friends, adjust to a new place and new rules, and you have this incredible chance to reinvent yourself. College is a time of change. Be smart. Be your ultimate self. Don’t overwork yourself, and make time to relax and have fun, but don’t choose partying over academics. Be careful about the friends you make. Make use of the opportunities in student organizations. Be kind to others, but don’t be a doormat. Make your voice heard. Be a leader. Anyone can.
You can assign one book for everyone at Chatham to read. Which one do you pick and why?
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. It was like my introductory book to college. It was the first book we read in my first Creative Writing class last year. It changed my life. I fell in love with the book and each of its characters. I got two tattoos for it. I’m not sure if everyone will have the same reaction, but I hope they do. It’s extraordinary.
Indigo in a short film produced by Chatham graduate students