Jenny Proudfoot, the Features Editor at Marie Claire, is our Journalist of the Month. When Jenny’s not bossing the world of fashion and journalism, she can be found tucked up with a cup of proper coffee and a glossy mag. Jenny took some time out for us this month to answer our SBPR questions, and here they are..
What are the 5 words that best describe you?
Warm, charismatic, funny, strong and determined.
What magazine do you love reading and why?
I buy a Marie Claire magazine in every country I visit, from France to USA - it’s become an airport tradition to pick one up for the plane to wherever I’m going - even if I don’t speak the language. I absolutely love reading the Sunday Times Style (I want to work there one day - call me) and also up there are Stylist and Vogue - I love them and have worked in both offices so it helps that I know both teams are wonderful.
What is your favourite book?
Can I have three? (SBPR say yes of course you can!) Normal People by Sally Rooney had the most emotional effect on me (I fell in love with Connell). Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is probably my favourite book currently - I can’t fault it, I thought it was perfect and would recommend it to anyone. Then finally, Women and Power by Mary Beard - a manifesto that everyone should read.
Which song makes you dance?
It’s a toss up between Bring It All Back by S Club 7, I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher and Still Young by The Cat Empire - I’m aware that’s not your average mix, but if you’re partying at mine in Battersea, that will be your soundtrack.
What has been your best career moment?
Becoming a Features Editor was a huge milestone - it has always been my dream, but for me I think it has to be some of the amazing travelling I’ve done with the job. From covering the Women’s World Cup in Paris and exploring the backstreets of Tokyo to sailing to New York, working the Toronto Film Festival red carpet and reporting on the Formula 1 Pit Lane in Monaco - it’s those kind of pinch-me moments where I can’t actually believe that this is my job.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Don’t let anyone make you believe that your dreams are too big. You can achieve anything you want to with hard work, self-belief and kindness. And if people underestimate you, prove them wrong.
Where are you happiest?
I’m happiest when I’m one glass of Sauvignon Blanc down at a South London bar with my loved ones. I’m so in love with London and I’m happiest when I’m just exploring and being a tourist in my city with my people.
Who would be your number one dinner guest and why?
Gloria Steinem would be my number one dinner guest, with Reese Witherspoon as her plus one. They are game changers in the feminist movement and I would just love to be in their presence, pick their brains, hear all of their stories and hope that some of their energy would rub off on me. And I know it wasn’t part of the question, but I’d cook them Delia’s hot crab soufflé and Scandi-style Smorgasbord. Reese seems like she would bring an amazing home-cooked pudding.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I think it would have to be healing people because it actually helps others, far more than something like being invisible. But, if having Bernard’s watch counts as a superpower, I might have to go with that instead for the nostalgia.
And then a question from you to the SBPR team…
What is the most common misconception about your job?
That all we do is fanny around with press releases and drink prosecco - ok, we do drink prosecco!