Aria Hughes
Deputy Style Editor, Complex
What was your path to becoming an editor?
I studied Journalism at the University of Maryland at College Park. When I was in school, the internet existed and Facebook was just getting started, but Instagram and Twitter, which I believe have greatly changed media, didn't exist. I learned the foundation of good reporting and storytelling, but spent my career adapting as the media landscape shifted. I started out reporting on retail and attending fashion shows while working at WGSN as an associate retail editor. That led me to a men's editor position at WWD where I covered all things menswear and realized I liked writing stories about the cross section of fashion and culture. This took me to Complex, where as Deputy Style Editor I've used everything I've learned over the years to tell strong stories across multiple platforms, whether that's for the site, or via Twitter and Instagram.
How and when did you learn to write? Do you think writing can be taught?
I learned writing in school and learned to sharpen my journalistic writing in college. But I truly believe the more you read, the better you write. A good editor also helps. But there are plenty of books out there that offer guidance on achieving clean and cohesive writing. I think writing well can be taught, but some are more adept at it than others.
What is your brand’s mission? Who are you seeking to impact?
For Complex, and specifically for the Style vertical, my goal is to engage, entertain, and educate our young reader. It's all about adding context to the trends, images, and brands they see and highlighting the people who have started these trends or who are pushing them forward.
What is the most challenging aspect of maintaining your particular brand’s voice?
At Complex we are speaking to a young audience that's highly distracted and most intrigued by celebrity. So we always have to strategize how we get them to care and/or pay attention to what we write and the stories we tell. Whether that's through strong imagery, or an enticing headline, or a social media roll out. It's always trying to put the medicine in the dessert, and never assume that they are just going to read something just because it exists. You have to make them want to read it or feel like they have to.
How has COVID affected your editorial strategy? What is something you’ve learned from this new normal?
When the pandemic first started, it was hard adjusting to not speaking to sources in person and attending events because that's a big part of the job. Also we write about style, and some of the topics could be viewed as frivolous given the state of the world. But I think we immediately thought about what do people want to read about right now? How can we tell stories grounded in culture with strong narratives? And how can we reflect how the pandemic has impacted streetwear? The new normal has taught me that we are always in service to the reader and should be a reflection of what's happening?
How important is it to have mentors during this new journalistic landscape? Can you describe your ideal mentor relationship?
I have had lots of encouraging and helpful conversations with people within the media industry over the years, but I wouldn't say I had a consistent mentor. I actually think young writers focus on that too much, when the main focus should be on the work you make and how it can improve. But I do know that guidance is important. But just know guidance can come from anybody, whether that's a mentor, a good boss, a bad boss, what you read and why you think it's good, etc. But I think an ideal mentor relationship is one that serves both parties. And it allows for open and honest conversations about your work experiences and is a space for feedback.