We recently had the chance to connect with Isobel Mills and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Isobel , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Playing Tennis brings me so much joy. I’ve always loved playing sports and a few years ago I picked up Tennis and joined a league and it has been the most additive extra curricular to my life- both socially and physically!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Isobel Mills and I am the sole owner and designer of ISOBEL, a high-end, boutique wallpaper and fabric line, which is sold to the trade through showrooms across the country and Canada. I discovered the fiber arts though my life-long love of ceramics and the malleability of the clay. Through textiles, I am able to fuse my love of shape, scale and surface design by creating fabrics with both visual and physical texture via various fabric manipulation techniques (ie, pleats, ruffle, in-lays, etc).
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2015 I had the opportunity of a lifetime to apprentice for the world-renowned paper artist, Isabelle de Borchgrave in Brussels, Belgium. The summer I apprenticed with her was the summer that forever changed me and my life’s path. Isabelle was the loving, creative mentor I needed at that time in my 20s. Coming from the chaotic, fast-paced world of NYC, her light-filled meca, aka Belgian Atelier(studio) where every inch was adorned with her original, colorful and unbelievably detailed creations-greeted me, handed me a book on Brazilian Ceremonial Headdresses and said “you are free! Create!” And I knew she meant it. We didn’t speak the same language, but it didn’t matter because art and color and texture and the innate need and desire to create with our hands was. I was in a foreign country, not knowing a soul, but I felt I belonged. Working with her in her studio was like living in her imagination; You were fully immersed and inspired at all times and that was the greatest gift of all- being welcomed into her internal world.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Having grown up with Learning Differences, I learned very early on that I had to work twice as hard as my peers to seem “average”, which for a long time was all I ever wanted to be. However, like many disadvantages/disabilities, mine has become my greatest asset and has taught me more lessons about work ethic and grit that have carried me through many other life hurdles and led me to my greatest outlet and, consequently, strength: art.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’ve always admired Dolly Parton. She is so unbelievably talented and so unapologetically herself. Always bubbling with charm, good humor and gratitude.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am grateful to be able to say I am doing what I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopisobel.com
- Instagram: shopisobel
- Linkedin: Isobel Mills
Image Credits
me
