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A Feel for Fashion: Isabela Rangel Grutman

Interviews, Inspirations

Isabela Rangel Grutman is a Miami-based philanthropist, model and designer who has become a rising front-row fixture at Paris Fashion Week, attending shows from Victoria Beckham to Acne Studios. A self-described fashion obsessive, she has developed an impressive profile on Instagram (nearly 500,000 followers) thanks to her personal style — a sleek blend of sportswear and luxury.

Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Rangel Grutman now runs a number of independent projects in Miami. She is particularly dedicated to a charitable endeavour called Style Saves, which comprises a group of creatives who engage with students and tomorrow’s young leaders through the basic principle that fashion can uplift and be a catalyst for good. Their initiatives — including fashion-filled auctions and fundraisers — have benefited more than 150,000 students and their families.

What creates an emotional response for you in fashion today? 

I would say finding designs that bring you confidence. 

 

 

What are you most curious to know about how designers work, and how a collection comes together?

I am curious as to how designers feel in the moment they are creating. Do they know what the end result of the collection will look like in their head? Or is it something that builds up and changes along the way? 

 

 

In what ways are you seeing progress in fashion mirror progress in the wider world? 

There’s definitely a broadened openness in fashion, which has been aided by social media. Transparency is so important, and I feel that with the arrival of social media, fashion fans and observers can truly see that much more. I feel like it’s all on display – and I think this is a good thing. It’s not just for a super elite circle anymore.


 

If you could change one aspect of how we experience fashion today, what would it be?

Fashion has never been more experiential, so what makes it extra special? I think it comes down to responsibility. I’d love to see fashion houses engage with communities and causes in ways that might be unexpected. I’d love to see fashion up the ante with their philanthropic endeavours in this sense.


 

What stands out as the most potentially disruptive influence on fashion in the near future? 

Entertainment! We’ve seen it already, in lots of degrees. The power of the headlines made by Beyoncé’s wardrobe on her Renaissance tour, for example. The entertainment industry and entertainers are going to continue to rise as focal points in this business. I’m excited to see what new, unexpected collaborations come from it. 


 

This interview has been lightly edited. 

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