Paula Cademartori is an Italian-Brazilian accessories designer who prefers defining herself as more of an Industrial designer due to her background in that field. Nevertheless, her passion for details and industrialization processes mark her work, and her Brazilian origins bring a colorful and bright soul to her project. She is in love with every woman and that is why her main goal is to offer them a complete range of artisanal elegant objects of desire.
We know you are half Brazilian, half Italian. Could you tell us how your double origins influence your work and your creativity?
I am Brazilian with Italian origins. In fact, I already owned a passport even before my decision to move to Milan. And that’s because my family has got Italian origins. When I lived in Brazil, I studied Industrial Design but I was constantly dreaming of living in Italy and starting work here. I chose Italy because I always thought that I could have learned more and also I already felt a bit Italian, as though I’ve always been here.
I think that this mix that constitutes my identity is quite interesting and is reflected in my desire to experiment and mix and match materials and colors, which is something that strongly defines my style.
I see bags and accessories as products that speak for themselves. They are design objects in which every aspect has been meticulously calculated, thought out and studied in the hopes of making them objects of desire for every woman. I then play with colors and materials adding this element of Brazilian brightness, which is super fun for me.
I think that this mix that constitutes my identity is quite interesting and is reflected in my desire to experiment and mix and match materials and colors, which is something that strongly defines my style.
I see bags and accessories as products that speak for themselves. They are design objects in which every aspect has been meticulously calculated, thought out and studied in the hopes of making them objects of desire for every woman. I then play with colors and materials adding this element of Brazilian brightness, which is super fun for me.
Please tell us something more about your background and your professional experience. Do you think there is any particular moment in your career that can be seen as a sort of turning point?
I graduated in Industrial Design and worked in the Jewelry Design field while I was still living in Brazil. Then I told myself that Italy could be considered one of the best places for producing and developing in the luxury industry because of the extensive knowledge and heritage available in relation to this field.
My choice to come to Italy to complete my postgraduate studies eventually led me to further pursue my projects and hopes and I knew soon after that one day I would have to start working here. Once in Italy I jumped from Industrial Design and Jewelry to a Master's Course in Fashion Accessories and it was there that I created a bag for the first time ever. That was a special school project for an Italian brand called Orciani, a brand I eventually ended up working for. After one year at Orciani I had the chance to work as a junior accessory designer at Versace where I remained for a couple of years. That was an extremely inspiring environment since I worked with a small team of designers (there were only three of us) and that made it an amazing learning experience for me. Also, being a historical Maison, it was totally different in terms of organization compared to Brazilian fashion houses.The very specific approach I learnt in that environment contributed very much to my background and still continues to help me develop new ideas because in the end you never stop learning. I don’t consider myself a fashion designer because of my Industrial Design education.
That background gave me a very scrupulous and methodical vision of any project in its entirety, in every phase of the product development. I monitor every aspect of the industrialization process so that it is perfectly managed. I care deeply about this aspect and I want to be an active part of it and be absolutely aware of everything as it unfolds.
My choice to come to Italy to complete my postgraduate studies eventually led me to further pursue my projects and hopes and I knew soon after that one day I would have to start working here. Once in Italy I jumped from Industrial Design and Jewelry to a Master's Course in Fashion Accessories and it was there that I created a bag for the first time ever. That was a special school project for an Italian brand called Orciani, a brand I eventually ended up working for. After one year at Orciani I had the chance to work as a junior accessory designer at Versace where I remained for a couple of years. That was an extremely inspiring environment since I worked with a small team of designers (there were only three of us) and that made it an amazing learning experience for me. Also, being a historical Maison, it was totally different in terms of organization compared to Brazilian fashion houses.The very specific approach I learnt in that environment contributed very much to my background and still continues to help me develop new ideas because in the end you never stop learning. I don’t consider myself a fashion designer because of my Industrial Design education.
That background gave me a very scrupulous and methodical vision of any project in its entirety, in every phase of the product development. I monitor every aspect of the industrialization process so that it is perfectly managed. I care deeply about this aspect and I want to be an active part of it and be absolutely aware of everything as it unfolds.
What is your relationship with the digital field? Do you think that Social Networks and Blogs have somehow been crucial to your success?
For me the digital world is so much fun! I love Instagram since I like to get to know new people by sharing and chatting. Twitter is not that easy for me since as a creative person I prefer expressing myself through images rather than writing sentences. I believe digital media is extremely powerful for sharing and spreading information, just as much as traditional press. Therefore it’s evident that when a fashion journalist or opinion leader decides to share content about a new product or brand by using social networks, it’s something very helpful for communication and all that can absolutely improve a brand’s success.
What inspires you to create? Do you like to be inspired by the zeitgeist or do you prefer creating a personal, timeless style?
My creative process is something that comes from within.I think it’s very important to deliver one’s own point of view in terms of design, colors, materials and general vision. That’s why I start by creating my personal vision through my own design creations and only later mix it up with a combination of influences coming from music, photography, cinema, and art.
What kind of woman would you like to reach out to with creations? Do you have an icon or muse who inspires you?
I consider every single woman an inspiring muse. All of us have got something special, an incredible strength, our touch of glam and a particular allure, we are power women and divas at the same time. Paula Cademartori’s woman doesn't need to be a fashion victim but she’s self confident and aware and choses a timeless object of design to be collected. Nevertheless, I do believe there are a lot of influential and inspiring women in the fashion system: from Anna Dello Russo to Leandra Medine or beautiful actresses like Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
