By Laura Bijnsdorp
Medical administrative assistant, special-effects cosmetic designer, dancer, business entrepreneur and image consultant; Sint Maartener Iseaha Pantophlet wears almost as many “costumes” as he designs.
Iseaha describes himself as a “shy kid who did not really fit in.” But thanks to his mom who motivated him to join Taekwondo classes, young Iseaha slowly broke out of his shell. As his confidence grew, he started to explore his other interests, which formed him into the impressive dancer, fashion guru and brave entrepreneur he is today.
Need advice on how to improve your image? Iseaha will give it to you straight, and he doesn’t just transform your closet; he also takes care of your look from head to toe – attitude and presence included!
You do so many things. Can you break them down for us?
Sure! My steady “day job” is working as a medical administrative assistant at Be Well Medical Hospital in Brooklyn. I also work as an image consultant for many different clients all over the world, and I am busy with opening my own clothing store in the Dominican Republic.
How do you juggle all of those different responsibilities?
I honestly do not know!
How did you become an image consultant?
It was something I rolled into with the help of friends and family who believed in me. They noticed that I had a knack for it. It started when I was in the popular Hydrolics dance group. I would design a lot of our looks, and they tended to stand out. I also loved making outrageous Halloween costumes, and actually won the costume contest at Tantra five times consecutively. People started to take notice and I was asked to help design looks for carnival queen contestants. Although my designs were successful and winning in various categories, I did not think there was such a thing as a career in image consulting, until I went to the Dominican Republic.
What happened in the Dominican Republic?
My mother is from the Dominican Republic and as I grew older, I wanted to get to know more about her heritage. A family friend there introduced me to one of his clients, Alexandra H. Fernández, who is a celebrity fashionista, model, businesswoman and wife of the famous Latin artist, Mozart La Para. We clicked and Alexandra and I were soon exchanging ideas on a regular basis.
I am very thankful to Alexandra for believing in me. Through her, I made many other important connections that have propelled my career. Both she and Mozart are now two of my most loyal clients. Mozart is signed to Roc Nation, and I am on call for whenever he needs me. I am also in talks with other big names in the industry! It is all very exciting.
So you cater to both women and men?
YES! People often assume that only women want and need an image consultant, but men actually really benefit from hiring one as well. At times my male clients are a bit apprehensive at first as they tend to be less explorative with their look than women; but once they see the positive changes I make, and how people react to them, they change their minds.
It sounds like you are successful and passionate enough to work fulltime as a consultant; why are you still working as a medical administrative assistant?
I love that too! [Laughs] My colleagues back in Sint Maarten will be surprised to hear that I’m still working at a hospital. I initially applied to be a medical administrative assistant at the hospital in Sint Maarten a few years ago, because I needed a steady income. It ended up becoming more to me than just a pay check. I love all of my creative projects, but they can get very stressful. I really enjoy that my job at the hospital allows me to “quiet” my mind and focus on something else.
How good at multitasking do you have to be in order to be an image consultant?
It can be crazy! You have to deal with a lot of stress, especially when it comes to an event, such as a wedding or pageant. Because I work with so many different people from all around the world, shipping can cause a lot of headache, as it is something I cannot control while, understandably, clients expect their product at a certain time. People can go as far as threatening to put me out of work when their emotions get the best of them, but they always change their tune once my impeccable designs are in their hands!
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing my clients happy and watching my designs do well in competitions and events. I also love that I have built a certain bond with clients and that they trust me enough to decide how to manage their image from their clothes, style, walk and talk!
Do you have any advice for other Sint Maarteners who have creative dreams?
1. Do not keep yourself in a box because other people don’t see a way of climbing out! 2. Do not waste time by being afraid; aim to gain experience wherever you can. 3. Do not give up. There are people out in the world making a living out of their creativity, and if you have the talent and put in the work, you can as well!
What lies in the future for Iseaha?
Naturally, I would like to see my career as an image consultant and business owner grow and flourish. Added to that, it would be amazing to become a trendsetter who can open people's mind. It would be great if I could change the island's perspective this way, especially where personal image and individual expression are concerned.
Some might say that the “inside” is what truly counts – not your outer image. What are your thoughts on that?
Of course, it counts who you are on the inside BUT how you look and present yourself is a reflection of this. If you are a bubbly person, no one would know this by looking at you if you wear black and look depressed. It is a fact that people initially judge another on appearance, and this can have a negative or positive effect on your life. By outwardly showing the version of yourself, you will have a much better chance at succeeding at whatever goals you are trying to reach.
Can you give your readers some image-improve tips?
It is important to be confident in yourself and not be afraid to try new things. Check what is trending on blogs, and follow a few trendsetters with the same body-type. You don’t have to copy exactly what they are wearing; this way, you can get inspired on how to “update” your closet. Talking about closets… if you still have clothes in there from a decade ago, they are likely not in style anymore, so get rid of them already!
