Paola Quintana

Biography

I've always been very drawn to art. I'm Colombian, but I have Italian roots. My great-grandparents left Florence for Colombia to work on various architectural and artistic projects, and my father, an economist who had never taught a single class, painted like an angel. That's why art has always been a part of me. I've taken courses in painting, photography, sculpture—many different disciplines. At 18, I finished high school at an arts school in Bogotá. It was a stroke of luck for me because it changed my life, and besides being able to explore other artistic experiences, I started making jewelry. There, I could express all my artistic sensibility. Later, I opted for a more conventional career. I studied Business Administration for five years in Bogotá, but I never abandoned jewelry. In my free time, I attended a private academy and, at the same time, continued creating jewelry on my own. Then, the commissions started coming in.

After graduating, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe for three months. My jewelry professor had studied in Barcelona, ​​and I decided to look for universities there. Suddenly, I realized it was my city. I loved the university, and after three months, I returned to Colombia, presented my final project, and packed my bags to go back to Barcelona. With two suitcases and a lot of enthusiasm for life ahead of me, I arrived in that city and began studying Jewelry Design and Gemology.

Besides studying, I felt I needed to have a job. I immediately looked for work and combined it with university. I spent a couple of years working for companies in the jewelry sector. It was very interesting because I learned how the business works from the inside. After six years in Spain, I started thinking about returning to Colombia. But I stayed in Barcelona for love. Then came the children. I have two children, and being a mother recharges your batteries. At that point, I felt I had to step out of my comfort zone and launch my own brand.

Who is Paola Sighinolfi?

For me, it's a tool for expression. It's my happiness. I've tried to be very true to myself, to design what I want. I couldn't find pieces that had soul or that I felt connected to. Through Paola Sighinolfi, I truly design pieces that I would wear.

What is its value and who appreciates it?

I don't design based on what's fashionable, nor on what others expect me to design. My pieces are different. They are statement pieces, because they aren't made for everyone.

The women who wear them have great sensitivity. They know how to appreciate the artistry of handmade, limited-edition pieces, not mass-produced. They also value exclusivity because they know I produce locally in workshops in Barcelona.
These are women who seek things with soul, with essence, and with a distinct personality—things they can identify with. I feel that both I and the women who wear my jewelry feel confident, empowered, and energized because these pieces attract attention. They are conversation starters.

How would you define the aesthetic of your jewelry?

Something that truly defines my jewelry is the beauty of imperfection. Because everything is handmade. Each piece isn't perfectly geometric. You can see the irregularities, and the semi-precious stones add that rustic, natural touch.

“For me, Paola Sighinolfi is a tool for expression. She is my happiness.”

What type of materials do you work with?

I have two design approaches. First, my collection itself: Paola Sighinolfi is made of 18K gold-plated metal, and I use semi-precious stones or handcrafted crystal. All of this coexists with my essence of non-invasive craftsmanship. And second, I have another approach: Fine Jewelry, which is made to order. It's also wonderful because I love working with precious materials—gold, diamonds, emeralds. I also do many transformations of antique pieces. I give them a new life, preserving their emotional significance, but giving them a contemporary feel. Because no matter how wonderful a piece you have, you might not find the right moment to wear it.

What is your most special piece or collection and why?

I have so many memories. There are pieces that have been given to me, or family heirlooms that are no longer used… I've been lucky to have clients who trust me completely. They've given me carte blanche to create whatever I want. And because I have the opportunity to talk with them and get to know them, I understand their lifestyle, what they're looking for, what they desire… It's a beautiful process because it's such a strong connection. When I've delivered these pieces, some clients have cried with emotion. These are pieces that I obviously don't own anymore, but I'm left with this memory, this satisfaction of saying: I've touched them. I've been able to capture their essence and make them happy. This is indescribable.

What gives you the most satisfaction about your project?


What gives me the most satisfaction is being able to look back and see the incredible journey I've taken day by day, fighting and working. Always chasing my dreams. And, also, seeing that I bring happiness and confidence, that with my art and my creations I help women feel beautiful and confident… This brings me so much joy. It's a driving force for me.

- Relationship with beauty:

What is beauty to you and how is it reflected in each phase of the creation process of one of your pieces?

Beauty obviously inspires us and is everywhere. Just opening your eyes and seeing the light is, for me, a source of incredible beauty and inspiration. The smiles of my children, a hug—these are also beautiful. They fill my soul. Or seeing someone's eyes and their positivity, seeing the angel within. That, too, is beauty.
And as I was saying, beauty isn't about perfect aesthetics. Beauty also lies in imperfection, in creation itself; like everything, it has its reason for being. In my creative process, I express it through the imperfections of handmade pieces. That's precisely what I'm looking for. I don't like perfect things, because human beings are also very imperfect.

Who are your beauty icons?

Women who stand out and whom I admire for their style. For example, I love Lauren Santo Domingo; I think she's a family woman, with her children, who has amazing style, or a classic like Audrey Hepburn, a beauty in her time. But I don't really have specific beauty icons. I'm more inspired by a woman who is well-rounded, who can be a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur, who has a social conscience, who is positive. For me, finding someone who always sees an opportunity or the silver lining in a bad situation is incredibly inspiring. Because in the end, it's all about attitude.

Any advice?

From life experience, it's truly my guiding principle: happiness lies within you. It's in how you wake up and how you choose to face life and the challenges that come your way each day. It's about seeking out opportunities and finding your motivation. I've always lived by this principle. It has been with me and has helped me immensely.

Beauty Questionnaire:

What is your skincare routine?

For me, taking care of everything is extremely important. Both the exterior and the interior.
When I wake up, I wash my face, apply cleanser, toner, then serum, and above all, I use sunscreen year-round. You have to be very respectful of the sun. Also, a good nighttime cleanse is essential. But diet and exercise are also key. I exercise a lot, not only to stay in good physical shape but also because it's vital for my mental well-being.

I also believe that having inner peace is important. No matter how much you take care of yourself, if you don't have inner peace, you can't reflect any beauty. I try to give thanks every day. Thanks for being alive, for having health. Because when I look at my children, I say, "What a gift." Being grateful helps you radiate a different energy. And this makes everything flow more smoothly. It also helps you want to take better care of yourself. It's important to start by being grateful, and then everything else is a bonus.

A foolproof trick or product

I really like toners. They give the skin a very fresh, hydrated feeling. Right now I'm using the Natura Bissé Diamond range. I really like it. I'm very loyal when I find something that works for me, although I'm always open to trying new things.

A subject that needs addressing (in terms of beauty)

I'd love to go on a retreat, disconnect, and get some vitamins… I'd be crazy about that. Like the whole journey. Stay for 4 or 5 days and come back feeling brand new.