By Mari Sato
For SMU alumni Isabel Ensminger, what originally started as a side hustle organizing closets with a college friend soon became her full-time career. After working at jobs that never quite fit, Ensminger took a leap of faith, quit her job, and founded the brand Isabel’s Edits. As both a model and closet stylist, she’s built a business on her own terms, proving a willingness to take risks can open doors and expand horizons. In this interview, she reflects on her journey from being a part of the SMU Look team, the realities of modeling, and what it takes to have a career in fashion.
MS: What inspired you to start Isabel’s Edits?
IE: I quit my job in July or August. That’s kind of what I knew how to do, and I knew that there was a demand for it, and I kind of told my parents, give me six months to see if I can make this work, and if not, like, I’ll look for another job. I just really wanted to be self-employed, and so I just started doing it here, and it kind of took off. And it was nice because I was able to model as well while being my own boss and making my own schedule.
MS: How did attending SMU help you start your business?
IE: The biggest thing I got from my time in Dallas and SMU is that your network is so important because it’s really the hands you shake that get you so much further than anything else. The ability to network in Dallas has helped me with this business so much because meeting one person leads to meeting the next person and so on. It’s kind of the impact that you leave on someone so that they go and tell someone else about my business and recommend me.
MS: How did being a part of the SMU Look team influence your work in fashion?
IE: I was really hands-on with, like, styling the photo shoots, like putting together where it was going to be, and all that stuff. So really, really, really focused on the fashion aspect of clothes and stuff, which is what I still do today. So that’s pretty cool.
MS: How did you start modeling?
IE: I’ve been modeling since I was 14. So I’m going on 11 years this year. When I was younger, a lot of people would say, like, do you model or would say to my mom, you need to get her into modeling. And so when I was kind of like, at the age where I could grasp it, I just went onto a website in my hometown and submitted myself to this agency, and then the agent called me, literally that day, and signed me. It’s been an up and down journey for me, because, I mean, it’s an up and down industry, but being in Dallas, being in New York, and then starting in Arkansas, are just very different markets.
MS: What are some common misconceptions about modeling?
IE: I think that a lot of people think that it’s number one, easier and more glamorous than it actually is. I feel like you actually have to really work at it like just to stay in shape, you have to take care of yourself. Some days you’re in heels for 10 hours and I’ve gotten nerve damage in my toe, from wearing too small of heels. It’s not all glitz and glam some days are, but it’s not that easy at the end of the day, because there are so many girls, and it’s very competitive.
MS: What has been your favorite NYFW moment?
IE: Working with the brand Kobi Halperin. I actually met him in Dallas and told him I was moving to New York. And he was like, when you move, let me know. And I kind of thought it was just conversational, but he ended up DMing me, and was like, ‘will you please walk for me in New York Fashion Week?’ And that was four seasons ago, and I’m about to walk my fourth season with him on Monday. I’ve just created this amazing relationship with him, and it’s been something so much more special than just modeling. I feel like his team has become a family to me.
MS: What is your dream brand to walk for?
IE: I love Khaite. My mom actually has a clothing store, and she sells the brand, and Khaite has always been one of my favorites. The clothes just fit me so well. They’re longer and I just feel like they’re made for taller people. Khaite has such classic pieces, while having that edge to them, and so I just feel like that would be a show that I would love to walk in.
MS: What are you most proud of from your journey starting Isabel’s Edits?
IE: I think I’m most proud of taking a leap of faith and quitting my job, and kind of happened to just figure it out on my own and make a successful career within just three months. I feel like people are so scared to take that leap of faith and take a risk. But I think that the most successful people are risk-takers, one hundred percent.
MS: What is your advice to SMU students wanting to pursue a career in fashion?
IE: My biggest piece of advice would be you always regret the chances that you don’t take. If you want to be an influencer, start posting. If you want to try and make your own company, you’re going to regret it if you don’t try and start as soon as possible. Because the longer that you make up excuses, the slimmer the chances are it’s not going to happen. So just start now and do what you want to do. You determine your own success. Don’t let anyone else determine it for you. Because when I worked for other companies, I just felt like there was a hand always holding me back, and I just knew that I was worth more. And so once I knew that I could be in control of my career and how much money I was gonna make, it kind of changed the game for me. And you don’t need to let someone else define your value or your worth or your success in your career.
This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.
