A familiar face to many in the fashion industry in Aotearoa, Isabella Moore has graced the covers of glossy magazines, walked the runway and appeared in campaigns for designers like Juliette Hogan and Ruby. She also happens to have an international career as an opera singer.

Isabella is now also the star of Cutting the Curve, a new documentary by Evelyn Ebrey and Julia Parnell that explores size diversity in fashion, and the regression in terms of representation and plus-size ‘curve’ models.

It’s a frankly alarming and important insight into an industry big on finding trends then moving on from them, and poses the question: was diversity simply a trend, not the progress we once thought it was? It’s a complex and nuanced topic, and one that’s especially front of mind in the wake of New Zealand Fashion Week where the lack of size diversity at many shows was starkly evident.

Isabella is now based in London, from where she answered The Last Time questions.

When was the last time you cried?

When I get totes emosh (at least once a day), I make a crying face and the tears don’t quite escape my eyeballs… Does that count?

The last time I properly cried – the full waterworks – was on the phone to my Mum, some time around the end of July. I’m honestly so surprised it was that long ago because I am a self-professed cry-baby (she’s a cancer moon y’all). I love living in London, but being so far away from loved ones hurts sometimes, especially when life gets a bit hard.

When was the last time you danced? What were you dancing to?

I went to a fundraiser for the 2026 Tekiteki Pasifika Festival in South London the other week, and there was a Tahitian item performed to the  (TikTok famous) song ‘Tangata Huruhuru’ by Rex Atirai.

The next day, when no one was around, I tried to give it a go in the kitchen while I made my morning coffee. It’s safe to say, my hips DO lie, and I should stick to  singing, haha!

The last time you cooked a meal from scratch? What did you make?

Just last night! I’m not a fan of cooking – I’m not one of those people who find joy or calm in the act. But my husband was coming home late and has been super tired from working hard and doing lots of visa admin (the stress!) so I thought I’d make something a little bit special. I cooked us two giant steaks with a side of roast honey and mustard marinated purple cabbage and a parmesan, rocket and radish salad. So, the truth is: I can cook. I have the skill set. But yeah, nah, it ain’t my jam.

When was the last time you had a holiday?

I’m not gonna lie, I think the last holiday I went on that was a TRUE holiday – one where there is absolutely no work involved – was probably my honeymoon to Bali in 2023.

I come home to Aotearoa once a year (sometimes twice if I can!) and although it’s normally for Christmas, a birthday or a special event, I always end up working. Which, of course, I'm very grateful for, but it means I’m not really fully switching to holiday-mode.

Bali was nice, but the highlight of that trip was visiting the Gili Islands. We spent a week in Gili Trawangan at a resort on the west side of the island and it was absolutely stunning: beautiful sunsets, no motor vehicles, beaches, bars and restaurants and a great night market. We hired a glass-bottom boat and went on a snorkelling tour that also took us over to Gili Meno for a few hours. I would go back to Bali, just to catch the ferry over to the Gili Islands and spend all my time there.

What was the last thing you bought, and loved?

I’m a boujee perfume gal and the last one I bought was Quelque Part by Racyne – my most recent perfume purchase while I was in New York. It’s a beautiful, clean skin scent; more feminine than what I usually go for. I tend towards perfumes that are quite unique, androgynous and edgy, but this is a sweet and subtle scent that smells super yummy.

When was the last time you got really angry and what was it about?

Aside from the odd fight with the hubby (we’re married – it’s normal, lol), one thing that makes me rather angry is seeing Pasifika tatau (tattoos) on people who don’t seem to have a connection to the culture or to be tagata moana (Pacific people). Our traditional designs carry deep meaning, and it’s frustrating when they’re used without understanding or respect. I wish more people would take the time to learn about what they’re permanently inking on themselves. The cultural appropriation is REAL.

What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?

A vintage top through the pre-loved clothing buy and sell app Vinted. It’s a romantic sage green draped cami featuring textured ruching details.

I am a huge fan of vintage and pre-loved  clothing – especially after my uni days in Wellington, where the op-shops were filled with stylish pieces. I like the idea that you’re giving clothes a new life and they aren’t going to waste! I’m part of a plus-size pre-loved clothing WhatsApp group, where we share our Vinted profiles and other  information about plus-size clothing, style, fashion, lifestyle events happening in and around the UK.

What’s the last beauty product you finished?

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6. It did amazing things for the texture of my skin; smoothing it out and making it more even. I loved it and it really helped prep my skin for using stronger retinal products. It’s important to start using a lower strength like 3 (0.03%) otherwise it can irritate your skin. I’ve made the mistake of starting too strong; you get a bit red and flaky. I also like Medik8 Crystal Ceramide Eye for the more sensitive skin around the eye.

When’s the last time you got drunk?

I accidentally got drunk at a dinner celebrating Kiwi author and model Kaarina Parker’s debut novel, Fulvia. The evening began with a cheeky glass of bubbles at a Waterstones book store down the road from La Mia Mamma, the Italian restaurant we were dining at. There were about 10 of us, the vibes were great, the Prosecco was flowing and my glass was never empty. Every 10-20 mins the restaurant blasted ‘Bella Ciao’ over the speakers and we all danced, sang and drank! I was enjoying myself so much I didn’t really notice how many Proseccos went down until I felt  them when I got home. No regrets – it was such a joy to meet Kaarina’s friends and family, and to celebrate her new book in London.

What was the last really delicious thing you ate? Where was it?

I have a thing for cookies. They are my ultimate weakness. My favourite cookies are from Crème in London (sorry everyone in Aotearoa, you’ll just have to visit me so I can take you – haha!). I’ve had cookies everywhere I’ve travelled to: Levain, Red Gate Bakery and Culture Espresso in NYC, Ben’s Cookies and Blondies Kitchen in London, Ripe Deli, and Moustache Milk & Cookie bar in Auckland to name a few.

But nothing has surpassed the triple chocolate with sea salt cookie from Crème, still warm from the oven! Although I have to shout out Moustache Milk & Cookie bar in Manukau. Their cookie pies are delicious.

The last book you finished?

I’m currently making my way through all of Sarah J Maas’ fantasy novels. I’ve just finished Queen of Shadows from her Throne of Glass series. My  stunning fellow Kiwi opera singer friend Natasha Wilson got me hooked and I am so grateful. I hadn’t read fiction for years, and I’ve now read 13  novels since January and am currently doing a tandem read of the next two books in the Throne of Glass series. Fantasy isn’t for everyone, and I initially wasn’t sure it was for me, but now I can’t get enough.

The last book you finished, and recommended to someone else?

I highly recommend the Throne of Glass series for some  ‘escape/relaxation’ reading but in terms of non-fiction, I have recommended Fast Like A Girl by Dr Mindy Pelz to a lot of women in my life.

She has done lots of research on nutrition and fasting based on women’s bodies and our hormonal cycle. When intermittent fasting/time restricted eating became a thing, around 2012, it was very much a ‘one-size fits all’ approach. Dr Mindy Pelz considers how women’s bodies work on a 28-day cycle vs. men’s 24 hour hormonal cycle. Through her work she’s helped a lot of women with their health issues, especially those dealing with PCOS, infertility and menopause. I read it because I wanted to understand my own body a bit more and give it the love and respect it deserves. I saw her speak live at the Health Optimisation Summit in 2024 and was blown away by her passion and all the work she does for women’s health.

The last album you listened to the whole way through?

Honestly, I can only recall listening to two albums all the way through in my life (it’s hard to get me to sit still for that long!) and the last one was Laufey’s Everything I Know About Love, in 2022. She’s an amazing singer/songwriter with a beautiful voice, and I love that she mixes jazz, classical and pop. I think I love her songs because they tend to be of the ‘hopeless romantic’ variety and I can totally relate to that.

The last song you listened to?

Pei O Auma by Puni. A well-known and beloved Sāmoan pese (song). Sometimes when I’m alone, I like to sing some of my favourite Sāmoan songs to feel connected to my roots.

What was the last concert or show you attended?

The last show I attended was the opera Falstaff at Glyndebourne in Lewes, UK. My mate, Tongan Kiwi tenor Filipe Manu made his role debut as Fenton and I went to watch him smash it. I’d never seen this opera before and was stoked to see him and Kiwi soprano Sophie Sparrow on stage.

The production was amazing, I loved the set and costumes. The casting was also on point – everyone really suited their roles. What’s great about Glyndebourne is that it’s a whole experience. It’s tradition to take a picnic and go early to eat, drink and enjoy the gardens surrounding the theatre before the opera begins, then there’s a long interval for dinner where you eat and drink some more before returning to the theatre for the final act(s).

The last TV show you watched?

Building the Band on Netflix. The show is about exactly what the title suggests. I got totally invested – I predicted the top three bands and felt pretty smug, not gonna lie! As a musician myself, I love watching films and series centred around singers and their careers. The talent out there is insane! I don’t want to spoil it for anyone that hasn’t watched so I will say no more.

The last DM/text you sent? Who was it to?

My last text was to my husband arranging our movie/date night tonight. We get cheap movie tickets each week through our phone network providers (shout-out to Three, lol) so, tonight it’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

I love going to the movies and while I was in New York, my beautiful model friend, Taylah Kereama and I had memberships to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in downtown Manhattan and were going to at least one film a week. Free popcorn refills, the way to my heart.

What’s the last fight you had?

Fist fight or...? Jokes, haha! Mmm, I don’t know if I consider ‘heated discussions’ with the husband as a fight. And if those don’t count as fights, then I’d have to reach  back into the depths of my memory, possibly to my fiery late teens? I don’t think I really ‘fight’ anymore. I’m not a fan of confrontation or energy that disturbs my peace of mind. I tend to distance myself from any negative vibes directed at me or ignore it as it doesn’t serve me. “I’m not angry, I’m  just disappointed.” Lol.

The last flight you took?

My return flight back to London from New York after my two month stay.  Last year I signed with STATE Management in New York and started planning my trip so I could meet my new agents and test out the fashion  industry over there. It went really well! I worked for Macy’s, June + Vie, Talbots and a couple of other brands. I was possibly going to stay for  another month, but London was calling and summer in NYC is stupidly hot. Next year I hope to go back for a longer stint.

The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?

My tummy didn’t quite hurt, but I cackled recently while I was playing  Monopoly Deal with my husband and one of the flatties. She threw ultimate shade at her husband just as he walked out of the room. It was unexpected and very unlike her so it made it even more hilarious. We were trying to do accents, and her impression of his voice – and one of his  signature lines – was so accurate I cracked up. Such an epic roast!

What’s the last drug you took?

I had a few bowls of kava the other day, which I hadn’t had in years. For those who don’t know, kava is a traditional ceremonial drink shared across many Pacific cultures. It was such a nice way to connect with other Pasifika people living in London. Other than that, I take antihistamines because nature doesn’t like me!

When’s the last time you were home? And where is home?

I would say I have two homes now. My home home is Aotearoa, NZ, specifically Auckland. And my home away from home is London,  England. I’ve lived outside of Aotearoa for over 11 years now and spent over half of that time in the UK. I feel very settled and comfortable in London. I’m coming home home for Christmas this year and I can’t wait! Love getting to be close to my family and spend quality time with them.

Cutting the Curve is streaming now on RNZ.