Literary Leaders: WUD Publications Spotlight of Chloe Karaskiewicz
Made up of seven committees, WUD Publications celebrates and promotes reading and writing on campus while offering students valuable experience in publishing-related fields. Covering everything from food, photography and fiction, each committee has an editor to manage all that goes into finding new content, planning meetings and encouraging innovative ideas. We’re highlighting these editors in a new and recurring segment to share what makes WUD Publications successful. Our first spotlight goes to Chloe Karaskiewicz, editor of Moda Magazine.
Chloe Karaskiewicz, Editor of Moda Magazine
Name: Chloe Karaskiewicz
Year in school: Senior
Publication in charge of: Moda Magazine
What sets your publication apart?
Moda is more than just a fashion magazine and we are the largest of the publications under the WUD banner. The factor that truly distinguishes Moda is our production of our UW Fashion Week. This year, we will be hosting our kickoff event at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday, March 9 at 8 p.m. The event, appropriately called Cocktails and Couture, is a showcase of high fashion couture looks created by student designers and featuring two outstanding local couturiers—Sophia Luchianni’s La Vie Luchian and Lauren Lynch.
On Wednesday, March 11 we are hosting a Swap and Shop event for guests to exchange and donate clothing with other campus fashion aficionados. Finally, Friday, March 13, we are hosting our fourth annual runway show featuring local boutiques as well as local and student designers.
We publish online content continuously—about three to five articles per day—as well as monthly Mini issues published online and semester print issues, which we publish online as well. As far as our content, the sections encompass fashion, lifestyle, social, arts and men’s issues written by a pool of about 40 contributing writers, 15 staff writers and five editors.
What drew you to your specific publication?
I’ve always had an interest in fashion design and journalism so when I came to the University of Wisconsin undecided and new to everything else, I sought out fashion journalism opportunities. I was lucky enough to find the Publications Committee table at the Fall Student Organization fair in 2011 when Moda was just beginning and I got involved right away as a writer.
Walk us through how you became Editor-in-Chief.
I started writing for Moda in the fashion and lifestyle sections in the winter of my freshman year and continued contributing regularly until I traveled abroad. I wanted to keep writing so I started a column about living in Paris. The Editor-in-Chief at the time must have liked my writing because it was suggested that I apply for the position while I was in Paris. I had the opportunity to assemble a fantastic staff that has only expanded this year. The magazine would be nothing without their work over the years and their outstanding dedication to the writers and the magazine as a whole.
What skills have you gained while working with WUD Publications?
The responsibility of managing a magazine and a large staff has allowed me get to know my leadership style and refine the way I communicate with my peers and the media in and outside of the magazine. My writing has improved, as has my editing—which is largely due to my constant editing interactions with the section editors and the different writing styles we encounter throughout publication.
What’s your favorite part of being an Editor-in-Chief?
Having been a part of Moda from its first year, I know firsthand how much the magazine has grown. To watch the group of students who pass through our organization grow from young and sometimes timid freshmen into creative, inventive and confident individuals is something I have very much enjoyed. Our scope now is so much larger in terms of student involvement, content and recognition. Our name is becoming more common on campus every semester with increased student involvement and new coverage. We were also recently named one of the top 15 collegiate fashion magazines in the nation and our fashion show has been listed as one of the top events to attend in Madison.
To watch your work and the work of your friends and peers receive this kind of attention after years of hard work is intensely gratifying.
What is your favorite Union hangout spot and why?
In the winter I love sitting in the Rathskeller at the tables by the fireplaces. It’s a great spot to experience a lot of different things at the Union—studying, eating, open mic nights, WUD Music performances, sharing a pitcher with friends, everything. In the summer, the Terrace, there’s no question.
Stay tuned for more WUD Publication spotlights coming soon!
