Paula graduated from Otis Parsons Fine Art & Design College with a BFA, earning the prestigious Designer of the Year Award.
Upon graduation, she was hired by legendary designer Bob Mackie as his assistant, working alongside him to create stunning designs for numerous entertainers and celebrities.
In 1997, Paula launched her own line of handmade children’s clothing and accessories, Matilda & Co. After successfully running her business for fourteen years, she eventually retired and found a new passion through her daughter, Penelope’s ballet classes. It was there that she met Conny Mathôt. Inspired by Conny’s vision for a new kind of dance competition—one that prioritized fairness, education, and the dancer’s experience—Paula joined the California Dance Classics team to help bring this vision to life.
