Originally from Mexico and with a background in art history, Paula’s path into business and technology was far from conventional. During her time at SSE, she found the tools and confidence to combine her creative interests with sustainability and innovation.
Today, Paula works across consulting, partnerships, and brand development. As an independent sustainability and innovation consultant, she helps fashion and lifestyle brands implement technologies such as blockchain, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) to support their circularity goals.
At lablaco, where she serves as Head of Partnerships, Paula works with brands on circular retail solutions and digital product experiences. She acts as a bridge between clients and the company’s technology team, helping digitize products into blockchain-tracked digital twins launched on SPIN, lablaco’s Web3 commerce platform.
Alongside her work in fashion technology, Paula is also the co-founder and Creative Director of NAN DOB, a Scandinavian-inspired mezcal brand preparing to launch in the Chinese market.
Fashion first captured Paula’s interest early in life. During high school, she worked as a fashion writer for Nylon magazine in Mexico. At the same time, she became increasingly aware of the industry’s environmental impact.
“The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries, and I felt compelled to make a positive impact,” she says.
During her studies at SSE, Paula worked with several sustainable fashion brands and saw firsthand the challenges facing the industry. She quickly realized that technology could play an important role in addressing many of these issues. Her involvement in the SSE tech society, where she helped organize a Fashion Tech Week, further reinforced this direction.
Looking back, Paula describes SSE as a transformative experience. After moving from Mexico to Sweden and working in the arts, she sought a more practical education that would complement her creative background. The BSc in Retail Management stood out because of its balance between theoretical and hands-on learning, as well as its close collaboration with leading companies.
“At first, I thought someone with an art background didn’t really fit into a business school,” Paula recalls. “But I quickly realized that SSE welcomed students from diverse backgrounds and interests.”
She was also drawn to Sweden’s strong connection to sustainability, which aligned closely with her own values and ambitions. Receiving a full scholarship to study at SSE was an opportunity she says profoundly shaped her life.
