I love magazines and how much time, effort and planning goes into every edition of a publication. Staff writers, editors, designers, stylists and sub-editors all pull together to produce publications that push boundaries and create something that will captivate and engage readers. This is why I jumped at the chance to speak to Rosie Mullender, Content Director at Cosmopolitan magazine, one of the world’s most iconic women’s glossies.
Rosie has been at Cosmo for eight years and is responsible for overseeing the magazine’s journalistic content. She works with her team to produce articles on topics such as careers, reports, confidence and confessions. Rosie most definitely has her finger on the pulse of the challenges facing women today and I know that I connect with the magazine’s ethos of helping you be the best you can be when you face personal or professional dilemmas. Oh and if you’re looking for a mean burrito or pizza, this is your go-to lady!
Q. You have been part of one of the most recognised and well-read women’s magazines for eight years. What has been your proudest moment in your career to date?
A. There have been so many! The amazing thing about working for a magazine like Cosmopolitan is that you get the chance to make a real difference to women’s lives. I think perhaps when our campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders was given a Beat Beacon Award. I’d wanted to write about EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) for a long time, and it was fantastic to see it happen and know we’d done something that helped so many of our readers. Also, taking part in a debate at Cambridge with Rufus Hound – you wouldn’t catch me doing something so nerve-wracking again, but it was good to do it once.
Q. What is your dream feature to put together and why?
A. I love the reports we run – pieces like our investigation into Roaccutane’s effect on libido, or the article I did on how your postcode affects the way you view your body. Doing a lot of research around a fascinating subject and speaking to world experts to get a real understanding of it is so interesting – and I actually get paid to do it!
Q. I know you’re a real foodie and have written many pieces on hot eats and hidden gems. What’s your secret (or now, not-so-secret) top-tip for London eating?
A. Taiwanese Bao is the new big thing in Soho, where Cosmopolitan is based – soft, white buns filled with meat (or ice-cream, if you’re lucky). The place next door (called, appropriately, Bao) always has a huge queue, so my tip would be to get there well before it opens at 12 to bag a seat – it’s worth the wait.
Q. I’ve read in previous interviews that you love your work. What’s your favourite part of your job?
A. The people I work with are uniformly lovely – forget your Devil Wears Prada clichés of bitchy fashionistas, because the Cosmopolitan team is fantastic. We laugh all day, and it’s a real privilege to work with such talented, interesting men and women. We also get lots of free doughnuts.
Q. What one piece of advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
A. To hang on in there! I was desperate to get into Cambridge (got rejected three times), learn to drive (crashed on my driving test), be kissed (didn’t happen until I was 18) and work in magazines (only after graduating then spending a year making KitKats in a factory and three years in a petrol station). But it all came good in the end. Still can’t drive, mind you.
Q. What five people, dead or alive would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A. Jesus, Oscar Wilde, Leigh Francis, Benedict Cumberbatch and my mum.
Q. Lastly, with deadlines, staying on top of news and trends and the constant flow of information hitting you, what’s your favourite way to relax?
A. I’m a terrible social media addict, which probably isn’t actually that relaxing. Although I met my boyfriend through Twitter and he relaxes me, so maybe it is. I’m also a big fan of getting in a pizza and watching Gogglebox. Perfect Friday night.