PANAJI
Calling Goa the best place for a young girl to grow up, fashion journalist Rochelle Pinto said women are highly empowered here and that she carries a strong sense of confidence because she grew up in Goa. Rochelle, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, was speaking at the centenary lecture of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias on “Women in Leadership: How to Build a Career in Media.” Pinto was in conversation with Goan fashion designer Simran Dhond.
Stating that women in Goa are not treated as second-class citizens, Rochelle said the State’s multicultural environment offers a distinct advantage. “It never occurred to me that I had to ask permission to take up space,” she said, adding that Goa celebrates equality and diversity. Describing it as a “fairy-tale world,” she urged people to protect it. Rochelle began her media career as a child radio jockey at All India Radio, Panaji, at age 11.
Rochelle said that despite working in fashion media, she did not grow up in a fashion-conscious environment, which she sees as a blessing. Growing up in a multicultural setting gave her a sense of rootedness and curiosity, preventing a narrow outlook. Now based in Mumbai, Pinto has over 15 years of experience across print and digital media and has worked with brands such as Tweak India and the Condé Nast group.
Throughout her interaction, Rochelle highlighted how Goa and her Goan identity have shaped her media career, enabling her to engage with people at a deeply human level. She advised young aspirants that talent alone is insufficient in the media industry, stressing the importance of ethics, resilience, the ability to handle criticism, and giving one’s best at all times. “Do whatever it takes to get the job done. Learn everything – it builds confidence and clarity. I am a doer, not a dweller,” she said, also dispelling the myth that women compete against one another, noting that they often support each other professionally and personally.
Interacting with the audience, Rochelle emphasised that strong journalism is rooted in old-school reporting – going into the field and uncovering stories. “Journalists are like vultures; others see a carcass, but we see a full meal. With that mindset, you can find a story anywhere,” she remarked. She has also taught at Istituto Marangoni in Italy and St Paul’s Institute of Communication and Education in Mumbai.
Addressing concerns over artificial intelligence in media, Rochelle said fear of new technology is not new, dating back to the invention of the printing press. Writers, she said, must evolve their skill sets as mediums change. “I’m not worried, but fired up to hone my craft and find new ways to express myself,” she added.
