From Dreaming of French Luxury to Working at Louis Vuitton: Paula de la Calle’s Journey

Some people discover their vocation over time, while others, without quite knowing how, sense from an early age where they want their path to lead. For Paula de la Calle, fashion was always much more than a way of dressing. It was the perfect excuse to experiment, create and express who she was.

Paula knew she wanted to be part of this industry, so she first focused on building a strong foundation by studying Advertising and Public Relations. Throughout university, she directed almost all her projects towards the worlds of fashion and beauty until, at 22, she fulfilled another of her biggest dreams: moving to France. It was there that she truly fell in love with the world of luxury and confirmed that this was the field she wanted to pursue professionally.

With that goal in mind, she joined the Vogue Master’s in Fashion and Beauty Communication, an experience that allowed her to specialise, explore new areas of communication and learn from industry professionals. But above all, it taught her that behind every brand lies a story, an identity and a legacy that any communications professional must understand before attempting to tell it. Combined with the programme’s internship opportunities, that knowledge became her first step towards securing a place in an industry that is as demanding as it is exciting.

Today, she is part of the PR & Communications team at Louis Vuitton Mediterranean, where she manages relationships with talents, media and influencers across seven countries. It is a role that combines strategy, creativity and a deep understanding of the DNA of one of the most iconic maisons in the luxury world, bringing to fruition a journey that, as she herself admits, was far from easy, but one she has built through patience, curiosity and an unwavering desire to learn.

We spoke with Paula about her experience at Vogue College, her journey to Louis Vuitton and the lessons that have accompanied her since she first began pursuing this dream.

How did your interest in fashion and luxury begin?

My interest in fashion started when I was very young. I always enjoyed creating my own looks and dressing up for any occasion. Although I knew I would eventually work in this sector, I chose to study Advertising and Public Relations in order to build a solid foundation in communications.

During my degree, I directed all my projects towards fashion and beauty, learning in an almost self-taught way through research and creativity. Later, I fulfilled my dream of living in France, where I experienced the world of French luxury first-hand and confirmed that it was the industry I wanted to dedicate myself to professionally.

Why did you decide to pursue the Vogue Master’s in Fashion and Beauty Communication?

I felt it was the right time to specialise and move closer to my goal of working for a luxury brand. I chose the Vogue Master’s because of its faculty of working industry professionals, the prestige of the Vogue name and a programme that extended far beyond journalism, covering areas such as branding, public relations and social media. It also helped me discover career paths that I had never even considered before.

What knowledge or skills acquired during the master’s programme have been most useful in your professional career?

Without a doubt, fashion culture. I realised that you cannot communicate a brand if you do not know its history. Behind every house are designers, photographers, models and defining moments that explain its identity.

When I started the master’s programme, I became aware of just how much I still had to learn, and today that knowledge remains one of the foundations of my work.

How did the master’s programme influence your entry into the job market?

The programme gave me access to internships and the opportunity to start gaining experience in the industry, although the journey was not easy. I learnt that you do not always begin at your dream company or in your ideal role, and that professional growth requires patience, effort and consistency.

Looking back, I am grateful for every stage because it allowed me to learn from outstanding professionals and gain a deeper understanding of how such a demanding industry operates.

How would you describe your current role within Louis Vuitton Mediterranean’s PR & Communications department?

My role involves identifying opportunities, staying constantly informed and developing an in-depth understanding of the house’s history. From our Madrid office, we manage communications across seven countries and, in my case, I oversee everything related to talents, influencers, celebrities and organic social media presence.

Every day is different, ranging from dressing requests for red carpets to events, campaigns and media relations.

What is something nobody tells you about working for a luxury house?

The immense level of excellence required behind the scenes. Working for a luxury house means paying attention to every last detail and maintaining a savoir-faire that leaves very little room for error.

Everything is carefully considered, and creativity always serves a clearly defined brand identity. In fact, that level of rigour is one of the aspects I find most inspiring.

What does a typical day look like when working for a luxury house?

For confidentiality reasons, I cannot go into detail, but I can say that no two days are ever the same. The variety of projects and the ability to adapt are integral parts of everyday life.

What has been the most important professional challenge you have faced within the company?

Securing a dressing placement for a Spanish celebrity. Within a company like Louis Vuitton, many validation processes are involved, and it is not always easy for a proposal to make it all the way through. Seeing the final result and knowing that everything had come together as planned was one of the most rewarding moments of my career.

What skills do you consider essential for working in communications within a luxury house?

Being curious, eager to learn and trusting the process. Career paths are not always linear, and it is perfectly normal to experience imposter syndrome. However, passion, hard work and the ability to listen make all the difference. Many people assume you need to be extremely extroverted, but attitude and professionalism are far more important.

What professional lesson do you wish you had known when you were starting out?

That it is perfectly okay not to have everything figured out from the beginning. A career is built gradually through trial and error, patience and hard work. I also wish I had understood earlier that consistency, attitude and a willingness to learn carry as much, if not more, weight than talent alone.

What advice would you give to young professionals who dream of working for a company like Louis Vuitton?

Dream big, but remain patient and grounded. It is important not to become obsessed with the name of a particular company, but instead to focus on building a strong foundation, taking advantage of every opportunity and learning from each experience. Curiosity, understanding the history of the industry and being thoughtful in the way you work and interact with others are all essential.

For those considering the Vogue Master’s in Fashion and Luxury Communication, what would you say based on your own experience?

If you are truly passionate about this industry, the master’s programme can be an incredibly enriching experience. It helped me gain a deeper understanding of the sector, discover new professional opportunities and get closer to the realities of the industry through the guidance of working professionals. That said, a master’s degree alone does not determine your path. You need to be committed, consistent and ready to seize every opportunity. If you approach it with a genuine desire to learn, it can become a transformative experience and a defining moment in your career.