The Jewelry Designer Who Wants To Help Puerto Rico With Her Designs

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

After losing her father, designer Damarys Caro began creating jewelry and accessories as a hobby. “Between pearls and crystals I was reversed in a creative healing process that years later would become my brand, Karola & Co.”, she proudly recalls in an exclusive interview for Ponte Bella in which she told us about the secret of her brand's success, his work with the artisans and the engine that moves his creativity and everything he does: his land, Puerto Rico.

Why did you choose to make your pieces by hand with artisan women from your country?

I am proudly Puerto Rican. I firmly believe in the talent that my country has. When you make a piece in an artisanal way, you add a unique value and a human touch that makes them different and special. There is an emotional connection and that can be transmitted in each piece we make.

Tell us more about the work of these women

Being able to employ Puerto Rican women is part of our empowerment work. For me it is always important to contribute to the social welfare of Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Maria, it was important to keep existing jobs and create new jobs and opportunities in our company. Most of our employees are women that we train so that they can generate an income.

What inspires you to create your accessories?

The muse and inspiration can surprise you at any time. When designing, a real woman comes to mind. A woman like you and me who works, who doesn't have much time, who wants to feel beautiful and needs easy-to-wear pieces. I am inspired by my daughter Karolina, my land Puerto Rico, my Latino race and the colors of the Caribbean.

What has been your biggest challenge since you created your brand?

I think one of the most difficult challenges was the transition from having a hobby to making it a brand with an international presence. Go from making a piece for fun to a production. In this industry, it is important to innovate, surprise and educate our consumers about artisan work in order to maintain the trajectory of our brand. We must reinvent ourselves day after day to bring diversity to our clients.

What is your goal with your accessories line?

From the first day we developed our concept completely "online". We project the opening of "Pop Up Stores" throughout Puerto Rico and the United States to offer a totally different and more personalized shopping experience. I am an inveterate dreamer and I will continue working so that our designs continue to cross borders and reach every corner of the world as a Latin brand.

With the benefits of sales you have supported various charitable causes, why is this important to you? What cause will you be supporting in the coming months?

Doing social work is a fundamental part of our company. I am a blessed woman because through our designs we have created fashion with a cause to help entities in need. For me it is gratifying to contribute my grain of sand either to seek a cure for cancer or to help homeless people. There is always someone in need and it is the duty of everyone as a society to have empathy for those less fortunate. I firmly believe that in one way or another we must give back and give from what we receive.