Isabel Mundigo-Moore

This month's Marguerite Mover and Shaker is Isabel Mundigo-Moore. Since moving to London from Toronto, Canada, back in 2016 Isabel has worked in the field of Social Media, first for Browns Fashion and now for Who What wear UK. Mundigo-Moore’s role at the leading online destination for aspirational yet accessible fashion content consists of many responsibilities. Some of which include running all of the online journal’s social media platforms, writing copy and sourcing new brands and influencers. Her knowledge of the contemporary fashion world is extensive, as we see in her interview with Marguerite, where she discusses the different fashion designers she credits for their appropriation of art, dance and performance. Mundigo-Moore also acknowledges the varied cultural diversity both London and Toronto have to offer with reference to their contemporary art scenes and discusses why South London is her favourite part of town. 

You moved over from Toronto a year and a half ago, how have you found the transition and what do you think of London and what it has to offer culturally compared to Toronto?

I’ve found the transition way easier than I had expected it would be. The sheer size of London and its rich history was intimidating but also what attracted me to the city. I’ve met some of the most interesting people here in my first year and have loved that the most. Where Toronto is more palpable in its cultural diversity, London is massive and is never without something interesting to do.

Can you tell me more about your role as Social Media Editor at Who What Wear?

I wear many hats in my role! I run all of the social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter) in the UK, which includes curating the feeds, writing copy, and creating and sourcing images, and sometimes writing pieces of my own. A lot of my role also involves community management—finding new brands and influencers to feature, attending events, communicating with our readers, and ensuring people are enjoying themselves on our social platforms.   

Do you enjoy exploring the crossover between art and fashion in your journalism?

Absolutely! It is one of my favourite things.

Are there any fashion designers who you admire most for their appropriation of art in their collections?

I love the brand Paloma Wool for this, they do a beautiful job of integrating art, dance and performance into their pieces. On a bigger scale, I think Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino does a marvellous job of this, as well as Christopher Kane and Erdem in London.

How did you hear about Marguerite?

I was looking for a community to join when I moved over on my own. After a bit of Googling I found Marguerite was hosting an event at SHOWstudio with Nick Knight and knew I had to join. An art community inspired by Peggy Guggenheim felt so perfect, and I am so glad I did find it.

What has been your most memorable Marguerite event/experience?

Each event tops the next! I loved discovering Shonagh Marshall and Holly Hay’s work at the Posturing exhibit, I’ve been following them closely ever since (not literally, that would be creepy!). But I think it was dinner at Zandra Rhodes’ house that will take the cake forever. She played ABBA the whole evening and was as fabulous as you’d expect.

What do you do to switch off?

Gardening and baking. Both are a great way to get lost in a tech-free universe for a few hours. Always with the radio on. 

Do you have an art institution/establishment that you respect most for its exhibition programme?

I’m still discovering many of the places in London, but in Toronto I think the TIFF Bell Lightbox has done wonders for opening up the world to film, organizing talks, panels, exhibits that compliment their excellent programming—most of which expands beyond film. 

If you could have one art museum to yourself for an evening, which one would it be?

The Musee D’Orsay in Paris.

What has been your favourite exhibition in London so far this year?

Posturing by Holly Hay and Shonagh Marshall. 

If you could have 4 artists to dinner (dead or alive) who would you choose?

Maryam Keyhani, Henri Matisse, Luca Guadagnino, and Laila Gohar (I’m hoping she’d cook). 

If you could own one work of art what would it be?

Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne.

Do you have a favourite part of London?

I live in South London, which is now my favourite. I love walking in Dulwich Park! I used to live in Hampstead, which I also love visiting when I can. Both places feel like villages in the middle of the city. 

Can you tell me a bit about the art scene in Toronto and how it differs to London?

I think it’s just much smaller, but also a lot newer. We don’t have the support of being a renowned epicentre of culture, but that also allows for interesting smaller voices to be heard.

What would your advice be to a young woman starting out at a fashion journalist?

Keep making, creating, writing as much as possible so you can build a body of work with your distinct voice. Talk to people, go to events, and remember your perspective.

See isabelmundigomoore.com for more.
Words by Lara Monro and photography by Luke Fullalove.