Paulina Otero
Meet the Designer
Meet the Designer
How would you describe the essence of Paulina Otero in one sentence?
Paulina Otero specializes in designing and curating statement accessories that will make you stand out. We pride on offering pieces that feel like wearable art. A lot of our jewelry is handcrafted or designed in Kansas City. Some other pieces we curated from other designers we admire. If you are someone who is not afraid to wear something bold, colorful, and sparkly then you might just be in the right place. Our hope is to truly have something for everyone!
What is your main source of inspiration when creating a new collection?
The inspiration behind my collections always begins with the experimentation of material, texture and shape. I always find myself looking at patterns found in tiles, architecture and textiles. As somone with a background in textile design, the need for visual richness, boldness and repetition has always been in my nature. I also constantly find myself going back to my Mexican roots, always trying to find ways to connect with my culture through the use of certain shapes.
What characterizes your brand, and what message do you want to convey in each creation?
Our brand is charaterized by carefully crafted accessories that are not only unique but also leightweight and easy to wear. We prioritize using high quality materials that will last you for years to come! In our collections you will find acrylic, acetate, natural stones, silver, brass and gold-plated pieces. We do not mass produce and many times only offer certain products for a limited amount of time or until we sell out. We are constantly trying to keep our designs fresh, relevant and exciting so we prioritize creating a new collection every couple of months.
Of all the steps, what is your favorite part in the process of designing and creating a piece?
My favorite step of the design process is the prototyping stage. I love being able to turn my digital sketch into something physical. The process of making or receiving samples is such a special moment. Testing different colors, textures and deciding the details of every piece is my favorite part of the process. There is so many layers that go into creating just one pair of earrings and seeing it come to life feels incredibly gratifying.
What advice would you give someone looking to use a Paulina Otero piece to express their personal style?
I would say don't be afraid to play dress up and express yourself through mixing your accessories. You can really elevate a look with just adding a fun pair of earrings, layering a necklace, bracelet or even just throwing a hair-claw to style your hair! There is truly no going wrong with our accessories, we promise they will only bring you compliments.
If you could choose one piece from your catalog that defines your journey so far, which one would it be and why?
I would choose the Caracol and Espiral Earring studs in gold, I think they represent the progress I have made as a designer while still maintaing important symbols that represent where I started. They show the evolution of being five years building this brand and the endless possibilities that I have discovered as becoming part of the jewelry universe.
Our Story
A journey through the milestones that shaped our brand
2020
The Beginning
Fresh out of college I registered my business, opened an Etsy shop and started to sell online during a global pandemic. I had no idea how to run a business but I sure knew how to make pretty things!
2021
First Official Website goes LIVE
Launched a collection with tufted artworks and jewelry designs, featuring handcrafted pieces inspired by my Mexican heritage. I got featured on Kansas City Mag and had my first SOLO Art Exhibition.
2022
Honing into Jewelry as an art form
Released so many new jewelry collections, started doing wholesale and more people started to find out about the brand. I was still able to do some installation projects and art shows but I slowly started to become more business focused.
2023
Discovering new markets
I began to travel to San Francisco and Chicago to grow my audience. It was the first time I began to sell my work in other bigger cities. I was able to collaborate with other brands and start hosting workshops.
2024
Going all in
I finally took the leap and went full-time on my business as well as moving into a bigger studio space. Feeling scared and nervous, I began hosting workshops and working even harder. It was a year of so much hard work but being able to teach and manufacture opened so many possibilities.
2025
Restructuring and growing sustainably
The brand turned 5 years! So far this year has been growing the team as well as redeveloping new systems that work effectively. Having to wear so many hats, staying focused but finally seeing the results of all the hard work. Growing our outsourcing as well as participating in so many events nationally.