Paola Estefania: “I want my work and signature style to be recognized as an art form.”

Venezuelan bored designer Paola Estefania has made it a point to prove to the world that she’s more than capable of making a mark with her legacy and brand. Paola is an haute couture designer with high-profile clients from all over the world including Lexy Panterra and even WWE stars with her work being featured in esteemed publications including the likes of Forbes, GLAMOUR, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim and Sports Illustrated.

Paola’s background in textiles and interior design has painted the perfect career for her pulling in techniques and secrets that she’s learned over the years.

Her designs include ready-to-wear and evening wear couture pieces. Bridal gowns, swimwear, maternity wear, performance gear for professional female athletes, intricate costumes for world-famous singers and dancers, and she also refurbishes vintage designer handbags into custom garments, like a bomber jacket or a pair of pants! Paola’s insight on the luxury fashion industry, the challenges and accomplishments she’s faced as a Latina designer, and her complex family history that led her to America all contributed to her wide scale success. She created something huge out of nothing at all, and is an inspiration to her peers.

What is your philosophy in life? There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. It’s best when our choices reflect our hopes and not our fears. Ultimately, we must strive to be the best version of ourselves! 

What would you say is a common misconception people have about you? I think the biggest misconception people assume about me is that my success has come easy to me.  Unfortunately, for numerous reasons I cannot seem to understand, negative people will always have negative things to say; especially about people they do not know. I created two fashion brands from the grown up, with zero experience or guidance. I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am today. It’s been 4 years since I started my journey in fashion and the garment industry, and I can assure you it’s taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice. 

Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from? My biggest inspiration is nature. I love combining different elements and mediums of art to achieve my designs. Weather it is for fashion or for interior design, I always pursue to be innovative by combining different elements of texture and styles. 

How has quarantine effected your productiveness? I am grateful to say I have just recovered from Covid-19. I spend 15 days in quarantine, not being able to work. This was perhaps the hardest thing for me because I am a workaholic.  Fortunately, I was very fortunate this year to be able to work full time during this pandemic. Adjusting to new curfew regulations however, has definitely delayed some aspects of production. 

What do you want your legacy to be? What message do you want to leave behind? My ultimate goal is for every woman wearing my pieces to feel confident, and one-of-a-kind, just like the garments I make. Whether it’s through fashion design, my charity work, or my philanthropic efforts, I strive to infuse each of these causes I am passionate about into my work. Leaving a legacy for my daughter and future children is extremely important to me. I want to set the best example for them! 

As a Latina immigrant in America, what would you say have been your main challenges in the fashion industry and how have you overcome these challenges? Creating something out of nothing at all, with no experience, I would say has been my biggest challenge. But it gave me the courage I needed to succeed and be an inspiration to my peers. Being relentless, disciplined, and focusing on my signature, style, and identity has definitely pave my way to success. 

The definition of Contrast is ‘to be strikingly different.’ What makes you strikingly different? What makes me strikingly different is my ambition. I always strive to be irreplaceable. I want my work and signature style to be recognized as an art form, and to be able to transcend and inspire others for generations to come.