BIO
In the early 1990s, she began her career as an independent filmmaker in London. Her productions were often co-created with other European independent filmmakers. Eventually she transitioned into fashion design.
In 2006 she founded in Milan the high fashion shoe brand Zoraide. Her creations were immediately picked up by the best boutiques and department stores across the world, as well being frequently featured by Vogue and several high end fashion magazines. The brand’s niche was focused on traditional Italian handmade couture shoes, being worn by celebrities such as Nichole Kidman and Madonna.
In 2007, Paola co-edited the last “Permanent Food” magazine with Maurizio Cattelan. Throughout her prominent art and design journey, Paola was offered many other opportunities to be a contributing editor of major news outlets. Most prominently by being contributing editor of T Magazine of the New York Times and collaborating with Cabana magazine.
Profoundly interested in Western Philosophy since her early youth in Italy, Paola approached philosophical and religious studies with a focus on Buddhist, Hindu and Sufism spirituality. In the past two decades, she developed a unique language of abstraction rooted in nature by actively engaging with Indigenous communities in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia, as well as Bolivia, Brasil, Namibia, New Zealand and North America, who chose to give her the title of ‘Elder Grandmother’.
In particular, Paola developed a longstanding bond with the Mamos, Spiritual Leaders of the Arhuaco community, living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the North of Colombia. She understood that their wisdom should be disseminated across the world. Thereafter, her efforts to connect indigenous leaders across the world expanded to co-creation of several Climate Change related events such a the London-Flourishing Diversity, online-Earth Action Hub and the funding of Force Weavers.
This research and first-hand experiences ignited a deep connection with the natural world, leading Paola to explore these linkages and relationships in her vibrant, symbolic paintings.
Paola further expanded her artistic talents and in 2018, she created the installation - ‘Reliquaries’- for the acclaimed “Broken Nature Exhibition” at the Triennale Museum in Milan, Italy. The installation aimed at presenting species of nature in existence today, highlighting the critical importance that each of them holds to the environment. Not only did it receive the compliments of the Italian President Signore Mattarella but it was also regarded as one of the most captivating pieces of the exhibition by the international press. The “Reliquaries” installation continues to embody the intrinsic fragility of our world as it alludes to the “moment when one day, a daisy might become more treasured than a diamond”.
She currently teaches Manifesting Creation & Creativity at the College of Psychic Studies in London, UK.
Her work is in the permanent collection of the Musée Galliera in Paris, of the College of Psychic Studies in London and it has been also exhibited at the MOMA in NYC.
12th October - 15th December 2023 - Portals - exhibition at the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation - London, UK
