ARTIST'S SPOTLIGHT - paola mounla
- eliane de luca peres
- May 21
- 3 min read
Since launching the fancythisrings website (and blog) in October 2024, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with so many wonderful people—some who sign up for my occasional newsletters, and others who reach out directly to share their work. The site has become an exciting new platform for discovering and speaking with more artists, and that’s been truly incredible.
One of those connections was Paola, the founder of Atelier Mythique. She initially reached out through the website, and we quickly continued the conversation over on Instagram—so much more practical than email! When I saw her whimsical, charming, and unique pieces, and learned she had just launched her brand and first collection, I was immediately intrigued. I invited her to share her story here, and I think it’s a perfect fit.
There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing someone leave a successful career—in Paola’s case, advertising (same as me!)—to start an entirely new adventure in pursuit of a dream. It’s bold, it’s admirable, and it’s fascinating.
And as if that wasn’t serendipitous enough, Paola is also Canadian (as well as Lebanese) —Canada holds a special place in my heart, having lived in Toronto for four years and made lifelong friends there. Now, let’s dive into Paola’s dream!
Atelier Mythique is truly where my passions for sculpture and jewelry design come together. My name is Paola Mounla, I am Lebanese and Canadian, now based in NYC, I'm the designer, sculptor, and owner behind the brand.
The name, Atelier Mythique, is a nod to the timeless magic of mythology that constantly sparks my creativity. You know, the thought of beautiful jewelry just sitting tucked away in a jewelry box always felt a little sad to me. For me, jewelry is art, and it deserves to be seen, even when we're not wearing it. That's the idea behind my work: each piece is designed to be not only a captivating piece of jewelry that you'll love to wear, but also a little sculpture you can display and enjoy.
In my atelier, I bring to life these enchanting mythical creatures – majestic dragons, graceful unicorns, swift flying cheetahs – each one meticulously crafted with intricate detail so it can seamlessly go from adorning you to being a little work of art on its own. I also love to add a touch of whimsy, maybe a necklace that rotates to reveal a hidden detail, or a hair tie with a delightful moving part. Ultimately, with Atelier Mythique, I want to invite you to see jewelry in a new light – as wearable art that ignites your imagination and brings wonder into your life and your space.
Here's a fun fact about me, this whole adventure is actually pretty new!
I officially launched just two months ago, which is a big change for me. For the past 18 years, I was a creative director in the advertising world – quite different, right? But my love for jewelry has always been there, a constant spark, ignited by my mom and grandma that always wore the most delicate and intricate jewels. So, about two years ago, I decided to really go for it, diving deep into studying jewelry design and even studying for my gemology certification at the GIA. All that learning and creating has led to the collection you see today and the exciting launch of Atelier Mythique. So when Eliane reached out to invite me to be on artist's spotlight, I was like pinch me now!
Looking ahead, I'm so excited about what's coming up for Atelier Mythique. I was recently selected to exhibit at the Artistar Jewels event during Milan Jewelry Week this October, which feels like a dream come true for a brand that only launched 2 months ago – a chance to share my vision on an international stage. And closer to home, starting June 1st, you'll be able to find my collection at the amazing Flying Solo store in Soho, NYC, which is such a fantastic opportunity to connect with a new audience. Plus, I'm already working on a brand new collection inspired by more enchanting tales, so stay tuned for more wearable art coming soon!
I hope my story inspires anyone looking to change careers! I say go, go, go, and have fun along the way.
