“I want to elevate the feelings of those who wear my creations and bring happiness to many,” Paula Mendoza tells Condé Nast Traveler when she talks about her brand manifesto. A project that was born from a sigh of creativity, which is now internationally known and that inspires us to learn more about this suggestive firm of luxury accessories.
Paula Mendoza and her jewels of Colombian origin, like her, they immerse you in the roots and the beauty of making art with your hands and elevate your look with the designs of it. Paula has managed to convey the true riches of the sites that she considers the origin of her energy and joy and invites us to get to know them from a more local point of view. The creator has shared with us those places where she escapes to get inspiration and also to disconnect.
Colombian jewelry designer Paula Mendoza.
How was the brand born? When you started, what was your biggest inspiration?
The brand started 18 years ago in a very gradual way. I always had this feeling of wanting to do something creative, so I made myself clothes and accessories. I found a great taste for what I was doing and jewelry caught my attention. I found it very powerful to make an accessory with your hands that really changes everything your outfit, you mood and how you feel about yourself. That always motivated me a lot go to the workshops and work with jewelers. See that mutual synergy where we are both dreaming of something that happens. It is a very precious moment and a very great motivation that I still have.
What is the DNA of Paula Mendoza?
Confidence and feeling sure of oneself. Know what people like what you do and feel good using your products is a feeling too powerful and unique. This DNA becomes stronger and stronger thanks to the reciprocity of people.
How does it feel to look back, to when you started, compared to what the firm is today?
Wow… I just think about the road I've come. The adventures, all the bags loaded, all the tears through closed doors in my face (which at the time I didn't understand why, but now I think about it and I do understand why).
I think it has been a journey special and very pretty. To be able to see how so many things have happened that have led me to meet incredible people, have special moments and see wonderful places. I only have gratitude for the spectacular life that the jewels have given me and the people it has brought. This adventure and the world I have built thanks to it.
Being a Colombian brand, how do you feel that your culture has influenced your designs?
My culture has greatly influenced my designs, all the precious stones come out of Colombian mines with the help of local miners. That way there is a little bit of Colombia in each piece.
Also, the way in which we make the jewelry: they are very traditional and handmade and that makes them unique in their structure. Colombia can be seen in every part of every jewel thanks to the beautiful resources of this country and the appreciated and ancient work that jewelers do to create these pieces.
Quazar Collection Paula Mendoza
We saw your FINE by Paula Mendoza project, what is the purpose of this branch of the brand?
FINE by Paula is that dream, it is that baby that I am carrying that fills me with great joy. But it is still in the belly, it has not been born! I am very excited because it is a project that also involves a social project. The world of emeralds is fascinating, but complex . That is why I would like to understand it very well and go into it.
I have already been able to visit the territory twice, I have I have spoken with the miners, I have slept and eaten with them... I wanted to understand a little what that link is that could be inserted into the progress of what happens in that area.
Bogota, Monserrate Hill.
FINE has me very excited because we have a program that we want to do in the company of local cultural leaders where we can give an added value to the stone. It is not only how the stone is exploited, sold and then removed from the territory because that means that there is not much left there.
It's about creating skills and adding value to the work they do so that they can also grow in the value chain and progress much further. The miner who collects the stone, his wife who is learning jewelry or gemology, his son who is educating himself on what is happening around gems in the world... they work in handicrafts and can make pieces themselves that they can sell locally. FINE by Paula is a very special baby that has me very excited.
How do you feel that your brand, located between Colombia and New York, is reflected in your jewelry?
My brand is my jewelry. my signature reflects that energy and joy I feel for life and for doing what I do with the people I work with. It transmits a lot of that and the joy of work on something that you are very passionate about.
What is your favorite piece from your latest collection and where would you like to wear it?
My favorite piece of QUASAR are all the rings that look like planets that fly in your hand. I like to use them at all times. I am obsessed with them and wear them day, night, to a party, when I work... at all times.
Rings from the Quazar collection by Paula Mendoza.
What are your favorite places in your hometown in Colombia and in New York?
Favorite places in Bogotá I have several that I love to go to. If I want such an amazing experience of sitting down, of having time, of enjoying step by step, I love it Haystacks Salinas . It is a very delicious restaurant. I'm lovin 'it The Good Shepherd, a taco business that I have with my boyfriend and many friends. I love that place on saturdays to hang out and eat tacos and listen to jukebox music. I love the Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá, it is a great museum.
I love the Sunday plan to go to the museum and then finish at Prudence restaurant eating for four hours with friends. Sounds like a great Bogota plan to me. In New York there are the most incredible museums, just walking the streets is very inspiring.
I always lived in Manhattan, so for me to be in New York represents being in Manhattan and walk its streets and find inspiring things. My favorite museum is the Guggenheim, I'm dying for it and it's always my first stop when I go to the city. My favorite restaurant is called Il Buco.
What place have you visited recently that you think will serve as inspiration for your next collections?
A very big inspiration for me right now is Muzo . I just got from there and I really understand why Colombia is the most biodiverse country in the world . From the road you start to see all kinds of climates and vegetation.
I was surprised to see a black river, which is because of all the coal that goes down, but it is a black river surrounded by mountains that only produce impressive emeralds. Some stand there blue butterflies which are typical of this area. That shocked me a lot. The people who worked there also seem fascinating to me. Right now my biggest inspiration is focused on that territory.
What are the brands that will complement a look with Paula Mendoza accessories?
I have so many signatures that I like and that I combine with my accessories... I am a big lover of clothes vintage. It is my number one choice. But now, for example, I am very fascinated with To New Cross, a Colombian brand that I really like. I also met some bathing suits and dresses that are made from recycled plastic bottles . With that they make the fabrics and create the dresses! Is named Baobab the project and it's impressive, my jaw dropped!