Shilpa Prabhakar Nadella
Fashion Editor
With your third on the way, how did you decide you were brave enough to have a third in NYC?
My husband has always had a saying “more babies, more fun.” He would tell me to picture our life in 40 years sitting around the Thanksgiving table and imagine it with how many kids, grandkids, etc., we would want to be surrounded with. In his head that picture is a little bit larger than mine, but I knew I always pictured our family with 3 kids. I think NYC played into the picture a little, but to be honest if you really want something I think you always try to find a way to make it work. For me, I love the ease of getting around the city with kids. Having them in the stroller or walking is just more manageable to me than loading up and packing them into car seats. I truly feel NYC is one of the best places to raise children, with almost everything right at your fingertips.
How have you seen these fashion magazines evolve since you first entered this editorial space?
When I began my first job in fashion magazines, the concept of a digital presence was just beginning to form. Print reigned supreme and for a fashion brand to even have a mention in a caption on the pages of a magazine, it would automatically translate to a boost in sales. As technology continues to evolve, the fashion media landscape has also shifted its focus solely from publishing print magazines to expanding digitally. From print covers, came digital covers; from shopping pages, came click to buy shopping features; from how to columns came innovative how to videos on so on. Interacting and responding to information quickly with the audience has become a bigger focus in the magazine world and it is continuing to evolve
As a consumer, how do you suggest we relate to the content in theses magazines today - what do you think they're best at now, as opposed to ten or fifteen years ago?
Magazines for me have always been a source of inspiration. They are filled with beautiful products, stories, images, etc. I don’t see them as a place to give a definitive answer of how one thing should be one way or the other but more as a place with informative space to guide the audience on the fashion trends, the styling, the art of clothing. I think magazines are a great foundation for readers to get information and incorporate it into their own lives how it fits best. With evolving technology, I think print media has gotten better at responding to reader queries and putting information out more quickly and in easier ways that the audience is able to connect with through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, etc.
Of all the relationships you have built throughout your years in the editorial world, which are most important to you?
One of my favorite things about being in the editorial world is the people I have met and worked with. Each and every person is important to me in different ways. I have had phenomenal bosses who have mentored and continue to mentor me. I’ve had coworkers who have turned into best friends who I can always call on for advice and a pick me up and I’ve also had assistants that I have had the chance to mentor who have blown me away with their success, skills and kind hearted nature. I always say you never know who you will cross paths with and maintaining relations and being kind hearted to all those who cross your path is very important.
What are some of the key pieces of professional advice you'll offer your kids when they ask?
Make sure your job is fulfilling. If you go in everyday and really love what you are doing and the people who surround you, you’re bound to be more successful. The environment you are in rubs off on your success and first and foremast, it’s important that you yourself are enjoying what you do day in and day out. I’d also tell them it’s important to learn every step of the way. For me I am most successful in what I am doing if I feel challenged along the way.
What advice do share with friends - mothers or fathers - who are having their first children?
Everything with children is a phase. It’s hard not to get frustrated or pushed to your limits at times but it all passes. I always remind my friends too that each child is different. It’s so easy to get caught up and compare your child’s feeding, eating, or sleeping habits to others, but each kid is unique in their own way and has their own strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, my biggest piece of advice to new parents is fed is best. I myself struggled with breastfeeding and chose to exclusively pump with all 3 children. At the end of the day, you must do what keeps yourself calm and sane and works for your lifestyle.
What facet of our culture would you change if you could when it comes the world we grew up in versus the world our kids will grow up in?
I think social media is a blessing and a curse. It can be a source of inspiration, a great place to get news, and an easy way to connect with friends but I also think for young children it can paint a false sense of reality. I also think in today’s culture a lot more time is spent being connected to technology then the world I grew up in and I do believe there is something to be said for people-to-people communication helping to shape and develop children.
What new business or product have you recently discovered that you're loving?
You asked a question earlier that was what made me brave enough to have 3 kids in NYC and I mentioned that I feel as though everything is at my fingertips in NYC. Well, that includes, also being able to get anything delivered to me in literally minutes or at least the same day. I’ve been using Fast AF more recently to get essentials delivered in a matter of hours to my door and also Buyk to have the little things I sometimes forget to replenish – milk, eggs, yogurt, etc also arrive at my doorstep in 15 minutes or less. For a working mom, who is constantly crazed and forgetful - being able to get any essentials in a matter of minutes (or hours) is priceless.
Shop Shilpa's Look: Smocked Cotton Dress
