I was born on August 9, 1989 in Paramaribo, Suriname - a small country in South America that mostly exists of beautiful rainforest. I am the youngest girl of 6 siblings, 4 girls and 2 boys. Family is very important to me and has shaped my perspectives on life and my own personality a lot. I would say I'm a dreamer. I come from a very creative family: My dad is an artist/painter and my mom is a professional hairdresser.. also my other siblings all work within creative fields. Which makes me so proud and happy actually to say!
I always wanted to be a flight attendant. Not because of the actual job but because of the fancy suits you'll be able to wear. So my career choice didn't really come out of the blue. I studied Fashion Couture and Fashion & Design in Holland where I grew up. After this I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and learn more from the commercial industry, so I started my career at H&M in 2015 designing accessories. During these years I have always kept myself busy with freelance jobs in creating content for brands through my social media and/or organizing art exhibitions in collaboration with creatives from different disciplines. It is very important to me to work with people from all different fields and backgrounds, I believe that you achieve insightful and inspiring results that way. I recently started my own agency together with my friend Dennis. We are focusing on developing concepts and art direction for brand and creatives. At the same time I am currently working as a teacher at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute - AMFI in Holland. It feels amazing to be able to contribute to this industry from the beginning, and really guide students in their processes and help them finding their own balance and personal vision.
My goal is to create long term relationships with the people I work with and aim to develop outcomes that will lasts and are sustainable. My professional dream is to inspire and teach. These are both things that are not end goals, but things that I always try and want to keep working on. I don't necessarily believe in end goals. But I find process and finding balance way more important.
To me feminism means equality.
I don't necessarily. But I understand and agree with reaching a point of equality for all sexes. And I say I don't because I want to be free of all these labels we create nowadays. I want to shape my own opinion on things and actually live by them or try to make small changes wherever I can, to not only better myself but also my surroundings and the people and things I love.
I think it is important to speak up, and feel that you are heard and seen.
Power is hard and sensitive at the same time, It is a beautiful mental and physical form of expression to me.
Beauty is that which makes you the most happy inside.
I get inspired by stories, bringing together different pieces of my mind and make them visually connected. Architecture, modern art, cinematography and music are key to awakening my creative side. I get most inspired when I am alone, with my own thoughts. My hobbies and work are definitely intertwined with each other so that makes it easy for me to keep doing what I love.
Recently I visited an old lady who bought a painting from my dad. I went to bring her flowers for her birthday, because coincidentally her birthday was on the same day as my dad's! I talked with her for hours. She showed me art, photos of her younger life and her many lovers. And then there was this moment when she looked at me and said; Isabella you should learn to embrace and acknowledge the "ugly or sad" parts in life as much as you do the pretty and happy ones. It's only then that you'll be able to understand and learn how to control your emotions and perspectives on life better. I still think about her words because this is something that I always try to work on and thought it was so special that she saw this part of me in just that one (3 hours long!) conversation we had.
Being at ease with yourself.
Whenever I am helping the people I love.
