Caroline Issa is a businesswoman. She’s the chief executive and fashion director of Tank, a bi-annual magazine that’s all about contemporary culture (think the Guggenheim museum meets Guillermo del Toro). She’s also a style icon to a hundred thousand followers on Instagram, plus consultant, designer and cheerleader of young talent. Her life is an ever-growing list of things to do, even in January.
Three weeks back into the new year, Caroline was ready to continue where she left off, curating a panel discussion with London’s Eccleston Yards on entrepreneurship and wellbeing. Inviting the founders of three brands: Tom Warren, Co-Founder of Wild by Tart, Tracey Suen Co-Founder of 50m and Archie Hewlett, Founder of Duke and Dexter.
ELLE UK spoke to Caroline about her fixation with sustainable brands, the women around her who keep her balanced, and what’s currently sparking joy in her life.
Tell us about how this amazing project came about with Eccleston Yards…
I was familiar with Eccleston Yards, we started talking and they just had this idea like, what can we offer to our community in the new year when everyone’s in deep sigh that 2018 is done. We wanted to offer a series of talks, that was my thing, and I was really interested in moderating a panel of fellow entrepreneurs who are in this amazing well-being space.
What’s been your favourite part of curating a masterclass?
Amidst the many, many meetings and calls, getting to talk with fellow entrepreneurs who all have such interesting and innovative businesses in a place like Eccleston Yards. I love thinking about the future where fashion, beauty, wellness and retail all intersect.
You’re a big believer in young talent, what are your go to places?
I love supporting young, independent shops, so I almost bought a pair of Faustine Steinmetz jeans at 50M just now, but they didn’t have my size (phew!). I love places like MatchesFashion, Mouki Mou, and Alex Eagle. I love great independent stores that convince me I really need these beautiful things and that there’s a reason to buy it and have it in my already overfilled wardrobe. I also spend a lot of money on food, in places like Wild by Tart.
Sustainability is a conversation you openly discuss; how do you try to promote that message on your platforms?
I think everything we do in fashion now we have to ask ourselves: 'why should you care'? I’m learning like everybody else. Plastic has been an issue for decades, it’s only now after watching Planet Earth 2 that everybody is galvanised. I think that’s happening in fashion and beauty today and that’s why I love people like Kjaer Weis, she finds these incredible vegan roots to make into facial oil.
Any New Year’s resolutions?
I finally got a new iPhone in December and I could see how long I was spending on social networks. My time was shocking, and I thought god this is too much. I just got a whole load of board games online because I want to have nights in with my girlfriends playing Bananagrams. That’s my new obsession.
When you have a moment to yourself, how do you spend that time wisely?
I explore London! I moved here 17 years ago and I’m still in love with the city. I love going to museums, I’m going to go to the new Grace Wales Bonner exhibition at The Serpentine, and I’m trying to read more. I might not shop all the time, but I love going to shops.
If anyone can master the art of balance, it must be you. How do you do it?
At Christmas I told myself I would post one Instagram every week and a half, but that felt quite seditious. I don’t have an answer and I am not the most balanced person yet. I was on a shoot at 6am in Munich this morning, flew here and put my bags down. I love a full life, but I think a lot of it is trying to be mindful about the things that I share, and having more meaningful and deep conversations with people.
What was it like growing up in Canada? Give us a snapshot…
Canada is the best place to grow up. I come from a mixed-race background, my mom is Chinese, and my father is Lebanese-Iranian. I went to university in America, which all of a sudden felt quite dated in the way that everything was being approached. But I loved fashion magazines, I was such a nerd. I subscribed to ELLE, Harper’s, Sassy and Teen Vogue when I was 14-years-old. My parents were like, how the hell did she get this interest in fashion? They were both entrepreneurs and I think I got the entrepreneurial bug from them.
Who are the women that inspire you?
I have always gravitated towards strong, confident women, who just do their thing. I come from a management consulting background, where it’s all about business, analytics and finance background. When I moved to London, I was lucky to have met my community at Tank and then the wider fashion community.
What podcasts are you currently listening to that’s shaping your outlook on things?
I have a huge list. I’m obsessed with Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. I love TED Radio Hour because you hear five different people talking about the same theme so it’s a nice, curated edit. I also contribute to our Tank Magazine Podcast - I just interviewed the co-founder of Allbirds, another incredibly interesting sustainable footwear brand.
Tell us about what’s on your Netflix list…
I’m currently watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Let’s spark joy! I read last week that second-hand clothing resale websites have gone up by 40% after the show because everybody wants to spark joy. I think that’s fascinating.
Lucy Beresford will be hosting How to Succeed in 2019 on 30 January, book your tickets here.
