The charm of the village of José Ignacio runs through the character of Paula Martini's clothing. Founded in 1999, the brand has gradually become—through its distinctive style—part of the very identity of the place. Stories of sun, wind, and sea merge into every garment. The brand's personal signature is intangible yet unmistakable, deeply local. Simple in style and made from noble materials, it carries a romantic touch balanced by "sea-tailored" pieces.

The garments are sensual, relaxed, and effortlessly chic. The aesthetic language was woven with consistency over the twenty years the designer lived in José Ignacio. Inspired by the Uruguayan tradition of hand-knitting and the natural beauty of the ocean, the garments are highly versatile, transcending trends and seasons.

The fibers used are of fine quality—mainly merino wool, alpaca, silk, linen, and cotton. The team works with meticulous attention to detail, taking special care over the craftsmanship in each piece.

Having spent a childhood among the "sewing pieces" of grandmothers and great-grandmothers, Paula attended the Prilidiano Pueyrredón National School of Fine Arts for three years. She then moved to New York to study Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design. She also learned dyeing techniques through specialized courses at Central Saint Martins in London.

In 1999 she settled in what was then the solitary fishing village of José Ignacio, Uruguay. It was there that she truly began to learn, having to invent ways of using her creativity to give shape to her project in a place that was largely unpopulated and isolated for most of the year. Together with her husband, Martín Pittaluga, she opened Bajo el Alma, a restaurant with a small shop that fully captured the essence of the place and soon became a beloved spot, drawing the regulars of every summer along the eastern coast. From the very beginning, the formula was to combine the highest quality—whether in delicious food or in silk garments and dreamlike sweaters—all without giving up the charm of the handmade as its hallmark.

It was at Bajo el Alma that Paula presented her first production of hand-knitted sweaters alongside blouses and dresses in silk, cotton, and linen, all of which she dyed by hand herself. The pieces have always spoken of an appreciation for patience and craftsmanship, which in a way makes them emotional garments. The handmade was a genuine choice for Paula—a natural extension of her surroundings, but also a way of preserving the crafts she so admires and that were instilled in her by the women of her family from a very young age.

Since 2022, having settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the winter, Paula—who continues to work on both shores—brings her workshop with her across the Río de la Plata. New hands join the team here, and since then the brand has also had a House-Workshop in the Barrio Parque neighborhood.

It is here that, in addition to continuing to research, design, and produce, the showroom also operates—where clients step into the personal universe of this small brand, so small, personal, and unique.

The eastern winds then come ashore in Buenos Aires, carrying with them flowing silhouettes and, among the seams, a touch of sea salt.