Meet Paola Tacchini | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paola Tacchini and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paola, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It all started the minute I was told to temporarily stay home and stop all the running my job and life require daily: pandemic mode – a real pause like I have never experience since my first year working. The urge of feeling busy, the sadness of increasing cases back home in Italy and the forced distance to all my dearest people have soon made me start a project called “Familiar Faces”: a series of hand-embroidered portraits of my closest friends which gave me a sense of company and serenity. Gradually spending more and more time at home made me want to improve my own apartment by adding bold colors, beautiful and sustainable fabrics while applying my professional skills for elevated embroideries: unique decorative cushions was the result of such effort.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been working in luxury fashion for almost 20 years now. My love for colors and the appreciation for artisanal hand-crafted embroideries have become the foundation of my business. During the pandemic I wanted not just to improve my own living space ….I urged to create something bold and unique, with a purpose and mindfulness of the materials involved. Fearless tigers, peaceful and resting monkeys and abstract botanicals are among some of the subjects I have the most fun developing. A big part of my business is also focused on commissioned portrait pieces: the personalization of decorative home goods, such as pillows and wall art, allows me to meet and interact with people’s life stories, why they feel the connection to a specific subject…it’s quite exciting!
I have learnt that the gaze between animals and humans can be chemically as stimulating and comforting as a hug: the human contact we have been deprived during the pandemic had me look for that same sensation through portraits. Moreover my own eye has become my logo as a symbolic reminder.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I am a big fan of Los Angeles. When friends visit it’s always exciting to direct them where to go and share places I love as LA is such an odd (in the most positive way) and a unique city! The art scene is bold and unapologetic here: galleries and museums like Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, the Marciano art foundation and the Broad are some of my favorite places to wonder. Famous historic houses are true pride and monuments of this city: The Stahl House, Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright, Dawridge House of Tony Duquette. I often like to take a diversion from a lengthy walk around the Silverlake Reservoir and admire the outside of some Neutra’s mid-century modern homes. Griffith Park is wonderful for weekend hikes: the panorama from the Observatory is the best part.
Vintage shopping is something I really enjoy: the Way We Wore, Golyester, Avalon and Aralda, go!
People here are also very serious about their food and wine: I often suggest Tilda and Bacetti in Echo Park, Botanica and Cafe Stella in Silverlake, Oriel, Bavel and Red Bird in Downtown LA and Marvin, Horses and Marihiro in West Hollywood for good food and quaint atmosphere. Lastly, something I don’t do as often as I would love to: a beautiful morning ride along the coast to Malibu. Pack a picnic and drive to El Matador or Zuma Beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Friends. The positivity and support of the people I professionally admire and respect have pushed me to create something I am proud of. Working for well established companies is very different than becoming your own boss: a sense of pride, boldness as well as fear of not knowing where this is going all come in play. My friends grounded me in the process and pushed me to give my best to a business I believe in.

Website: paolatacchini.com

Instagram: @paolatacchinistudio

Image Credits
Photos by @hennakristina, living room and set by @totafilms