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A Feel For Fashion: Caroline Issa

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If Caroline Issa possesses the type of natural style that makes her seem destined for fashion, she actually began her career as a management consultant with an undergraduate business degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2002, she met the team from the then-nascent TANK Magazine, based in London, and her fashion passion took hold. She left the business world for magazine publishing and brand strategy consulting. Eventually became chief executive and fashion director of TANK, roles she still holds today, and editor of BecauseLondon.com. She is also Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Artangel as well as a Non-Executive Director of the British Fashion Council — both not-for-profit organisations committed to championing and developing excellence in the art and fashion worlds respectively.

What excites you in fashion right now?

Designers who use fashion as a platform for good. Brands who are re-thinking the system and tearing up the old rule books to ensure the wealthfare of the planet. Magazines who support those who see both beauty and justice as key to success.

 

What is one reason to be optimistic about the state of fashion going forward?

I'll give you one reason with many contributors: Marine Serre, Gabriela Hearst, GmbH, Amy Powney of Mother of Pearl, Kevin Germanier, Willy Chavarria, Paolo Carzana, Paria Farzaneh… and on and on we go.

 

In what ways do you think AI might benefit fashion?

It will allow humans to focus on the things that make us human: emotion, passion, curation, POV and craft and trial by error.

 

How can fashion magazines maintain their significance in a society where everyone can express their point of view?

What makes community? Groups of people who share the same values. Fashion magazines express their values through their aesthetic; the teams they work with; the designers and makers they platform. If it connects with a loyal community, that will always be relevant and significant. 

 

How is social media evolution is impacting the fashion language?

I can't answer this in less than 15 seconds. 

 

Can you suggest a fashion mantra for ’24?

It's the same one we've had since 1998: Buy Less But Buy Better 


 

This interview has been lightly edited. 

 

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