Fashion touches us all in some manner or another. While the runway is always hot, one must always go outside the box, and pay due attention to those who have little — if anything at all — to do with the world of fashion. These individuals may have great personal style, but you won’t necessarily find them within the pages of Elle, Vogue or Refinery 29.
This is when I enter the picture.
This month’s profile is on Claudia Coffey, a local newsreader from Louisville, Kentucky, currently working weekday afternoons on ABC affiliate WHAS-TV. Make the jump to learn about how a quiz prompted the start of her career in journalism, her favourite moment as an anchor, and her advice in regards to finding the style that suits you.
Claudia Coffey of WHAS-TV at the Unbridled Eve Gala in 2012 wearing an evening gown by Tony Bowls.
Profession: TV News Personality
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
A Brief Description of You and Your Work: Journalist who gathers, writes and delivers the news that the community cares about in a multi-platform broadcast environment. I’m a type A, multi-tasking newscaster who can tweet while on the news desk reading the news at the same time (something I can attest towards – Editor).
How did you find yourself in the world of television journalism?
Coffey: It’s something I have wanted to do since I was 15. I remember taking a personality quiz in school. It was one of the jobs that said I was suited for. It combines my passion of current events and story telling.
A Louisville native, you started your career as an intern for both WHAS-TV and WHAS-FM, then worked in places such as Washington, DC, Milwaukee and New Orleans — even appearing in the 2003 film Runaway Jury as a news reporter — before coming back home in April of 2010. What have you discovered and experienced in your professional journey thus far, and how have your experiences influenced your life since your return to Louisville?
Coffey: I’m very happy I went on a journey in news that led me through cities I never imagined living in. It gave me a great respect for different ways of life, cultures and communities in different parts of the country. I think it’s very important to leave your corner of the world; you appreciate home more.
I also had the opportunity to learn and work alongside some great journalists. Working alongside big market talent makes you want to rise to their level… it pushes you to do better.
Now that I am home, I want to try things I did in other markets. I think there is so much more we can do to provide a better news product to this community. We have to try different things.
Aside from anchoring and reporting, what other talents do you possess?
Coffey: I love cooking. I wish I were a TV cook. I once interviewed Rachael Ray on the set of her show, and I was in awe.
How would you describe your personal style?
Coffey: Bright colors, simple lines, classic chic. I’m comfortable with my body, and I know what looks good and especially bad on me. Some trends I simply must stay away from.
Do you read any fashion blogs? If so, which ones?
Coffey: Styleauteur, 33 avenue Miquelon (of course), Lou What Wear, The Chic Sheet, Baublebar, Ask Miss A, and 9to5Chic.
Coffey in her Sherri Hill gown during the 2012 Louisville Crystal Heart Ball.
Coffey: Reporting from The White House, Supreme Court and from The Capitol… all wow moments.
Why do you do what you do for a living?
Coffey: I love what I do. I feel like I was born to do this. What else would I do if I didn’t? I have no clue!
If you had to pick one item from your résumé that says, “This is what my career is all about,” which one would it be?
Coffey: Mom… best thing ever
What advice do you have for my readers regarding…
Style: Don’t be a slave to trends and please dress your age. Embrace your body shape, and dress to accentuate
Journalism (television, radio, print et al): Do tons of internships in other cities and network network network!
Life in general: Live a simple life and realize what is really important in life… family, friends.
Any final words?
Coffey: Thank you so much for even approaching me with the feature.
Final words: Find your own path and go for it!
Claudia Coffey can be seen on WHAS-TV weekday afternoons, and can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.
Photo credits: Cameron Miquelon (title card) + Cloudia Coffey.
I wish we had someone with Ms. Coffey’s manifest smarts (and style) on the tube out here on the prairie. What we get instead is a steady stream of big-hair Dallas types who quit after four years and go into PR.
CGHill recently posted..Fark blurb of the week
Such is the life a television journalist, moving from one market to the next.
Anyway, thank you for your kind words about Mme Coffey; I hope to someday meet her in-person.
Cameron Miquelon recently posted..Outside the Box – Claudia Coffey
While she has the charisma of a tv personality, she also possesses that down to earth wholesomeness that far too people actually have nowadays. I hope for the best for Coffey, because she appears to be very genuine and we need more people like that in the limelight.
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