ISABELLA THORP

09 ISABELLA THORP Thoughts of a Midlife Influencer

Thorp, who created a blog and Instagram account she calls @confessionsofasuperager. At 20,000 followers and counting, she clearly has the attention of many who want to see what her style is all about, including Oprah Winfrey, who recognized her as a top influencer this past year. Isabella shares her fashion sense and beauty tips with women at an age when many feel invisible, and her platform reminds us all that age is only a number. We had to sit down and learn more about this midlife maven.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your Instagram page. How did you get your start being a content creator and what steps did you take to get to where you are today?

I started @confessionsofasuperager quite accidentally almost 2 years ago on the behest of a friend who thought I would make for a good “fashion influencer” as she explained the ins and outs of a shopping app via Instagram where she got the cute top, I complimented her on…I remember looking at her and saying “yes and I should call myself @ confessionsofasuperager. The next day I created my personal account on IG and here I am going on almost 2 years with close to 20k followers and getting paid for my collaborations creating content for fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. Aside from influencing, I am also a wife to my husband Peter, we are celebrating 10 years on Oct. 3rd, a mom to 2 wonderful children Matt who is 27 and Lexi who is going on 25. I am also a stepmom to three amazing boys and recently became a Gigi (glam gram) to Owen who is 8 mos. old. How did I get to where I am? 1) Just start 2) Establish a niche and goal for yourself... I knew I wanted to be a voice and an inspiration for women in their midlife, I set a goal of reaching 10K my first year… 3) Be authentic 4) Be consistent 5) Post good content 6) Engage with your followers because how else can you expect them to be loyal.

Isabella is wearing our “At My Age I Need Glasses” tee in charcoal.

We love your tagline “embracing midlife in style” do you mind talking more about that and what it means to you?

When I first started @confessionsofasuperager, I was approaching 50. I had 2 choices, I was either going celebrate turning 50 with the biggest bang imaginable or be depressed about it. I chose to embrace this journey, and live it in style and along the way hope to inspire other midlifers” to do so as well because why should we stop caring now that we’ve reached a certain age.

What is something that you get asked all the time in regards to your page, and how do you respond?

“How do you look so young?” “What’s your beauty secret?” I have to thank the genes I am blessed with which accounts for 50%, 40% I attribute to Self-Care, - skincare, working out, clean eating etc. The 10% you can buy makeup, Botox (which I do every 6 months to prevent the wrinkles I already have from being more defined) and others like fillers and such which I have not tried yet.

Do you have any advice for women who are currently struggling to embrace their age?

I think the main struggle and I can speak for myself as a woman now in her 50’s is that feeling of being invisible, obsolete that you no longer matter especially if

like me you are an empty nester. My advice first and foremost is to take care of yourself. Whatever you need to do to care “for you” mentally, spiritually, physically – Do it. The other advice is to create your own silver lining… cultivate positivity in your life.

What are you most excited/fascinated about currently?

I am most excited about seeing influencers on social media who are like me in their 50’s 60’s and 70’s paving the way and proving that our golden years are the best to come!

Rapid Fires

Favourite skincare brand? I don’t have one because I personally change up my skincare routine all the time… I simply believe that skincare is important I don’t care if you spend $300 on a serum or $20 just use one, ultimately it will do your skin good.

Best fashion trend? Currently loving puff sleeves or any type of sleeve drama, dark floral dresses and snake print

Worst fashion trend? Crocs

Lastly, we love that you were able to relate your story with our designs. If you were to give a title to your life story, what would it be and why?

Always in a state of “re-invention”

threadTALK Bonus: Where Are They Now?

What have you been up to since we last spoke back in September of last year?

Aside from my full time job which I am very grateful I still have considering the loss of jobs by many due to the pandemic, I’ve become even busier with my social media platforms. My IG following is growing, I have more brand collaborations than ever as a result and I am now on Tiktok …which is so entertaining by the way. Also, since we last spoke, I got featured on the Oprah Magazine as an over 50 influencer so that was very exciting!

How has the current COVID-19 pandemic affected your daily routine and as an influencer?

The only thing that’s changed really since the Pandemic started is that I don’t have to drive an hour to work every day and while I get dressed up like I am going to work I miss wearing my stilettos since I wear flats or sneakers while at home… I really miss my heels! As far as an influencer goes, I feature more “at home” photos instead of location photos and just trying different ways to be creative- I had the pleasure of working with a local photographer as well as with Shoot My Travel in doing a virtual photo shoot and those pictures turned out great.