Women, In Their Own Words: Antonia Caicedo

Welcome to the latest installment of our “Women, In Their Own Words” interview series! At DesignDash, we love to spotlight talented female entrepreneurs who shape the design world with their unique perspectives and boundless creativity. This series invites each featured creative to share her thoughts, inspirations, aspirations, and business acumen with our wonderful readers. In doing so, we hope to offer readers a glimpse into the artistry and vision driving her work. 

Today, we’re delighted to introduce Antonia Caicedo—Design Director and VP at JIMECO, as well as the founder of her own luxury line, “the Antonia Collection.” Antonia’s commitment to detail, support of traditional craftsmanship, dedication to sustainability, and timeless yet innovative aesthetic make her an important contributor to this industry, and we’re excited to share her words with you.

Women In Their Own Words: Antonia Caicedo

DesignDash: If you could listen to only one musical artist while working, who would it be and why? 

Antonia Caicedo: I love endless playlists of French smooth jazz and bossanova. Mixes of 1930 foxtrot, and Frank Sinatra among others are very soothing and endearing for me. They remind me of my time living in Paris. 

DesignDash: What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve found for your work?

AC: My production line without question. So much innovation and good ideas come out of the manufacturing process and my amazing artisan team. 

DD: If you could collaborate with any historical figure (artist, designer, writer, etc.), who would it be and what would you create together? 

AC: I am an absolute admirer of the great Mies Van der Rohe. He was a master in architecture and designed some of the most iconic furniture pieces of modern times. I would love to create a furniture collaboration with such a legend. 

DD: Do you have a must-do creative ritual or superstition before starting a project? If yes, what is it?

AC: I need to be in the right mindset to start something new. Every time I need to design a new collection, I make sure I get into my ‘do not disturb’ mode so I can focus solely on my creative process. Unplugging a little from my day-to-day tasks really helps. 

DD: If your creative work were a color palette, which colors would be essential? 

AC: Navy, Bronze and Ivory. My timeless go-to combo. 

DD: How do you manage the business side of being a creative—do you enjoy it or is it something you’ve had to grow into? 

AC: I enjoy it very much. I actually started on the creative side and have grown into the production and managing side. I guess this is part of being a successful entrepreneur, right? 

DD: If you could only use three tools or materials for the rest of your career, what would they be? 

AC: My AutoCAD, my CRM, and my Adobe Suite, LOL. Tools that allow me to be creative while being organized, productive and marketing sharp. 

DD: How has your creative process evolved over the years? 

AC: Being so involved in the manufacturing process allowed me to see creativity through a different lens. It allowed me to be creative while being conscious and aware of the things that truly affect my final product. Avoiding unnecessary costs, enhancing the added value in my designs and keeping lead times competitive. 

DD: What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known when you started your business or creative career? 

AC: I wish I knew how necessary it is to have a business/managing background or experience, it is tremendously useful when building a business out of your creative work. I did not study anything related to business or management, but if I could go back in time, I would have chosen to do so. 

DD: ​​Have you seen the landscape change for women in the creative industry over the years? What still needs to change? 

AC: I think our industry is one of the very few where women are truly valued and recognized. The interior design world is an industry majorly led by talented women, around 80% of interior designers are women, a very clear picture that shows we have the talent, the will and the tools to be very successful in this industry. 

DD: How do you think being a woman has shaped your creative vision or business approach? 

AC: I think women have a sharper attention to detail than men. This ability is one that allowed me to create something truly special and unique, giving my clients designs with tremendous added value through the special attention to detail that my pieces are known for. 

DD: What’s next for you in your creative journey—any exciting projects on the horizon? Have you recently released any new collections? 

AC: Yes! I just launched my new Antonia en Bleu collection this Fall 2024 at High Point Market featuring beautiful casegoods and upholstery pieces, as well as my new Antonia Straight Lighting collection with my wonderful partners at Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting. Both collections feature a beautiful array of luxury finishes combined with an Art Deco flair that characterizes the Antonia Brand. 

Many Thanks to Antonia Caicedo for Participating in “Women, In Their Own Words“

Thank you to Antonia Caicedo for sharing her experience, inspirations, and insights with all of us at DesignDash. Her dedication to detail, passion for craftsmanship, and thoughtful approach to sustainable design are truly inspiring. We hope her story has sparked new ideas and encouraged you to embrace your own unique vision as you design a life you love!

Be sure to explore the Antonia Collection for a closer look at her work. You can follow Antonia on Instagram at @antonia.collection and view the new collection here on JIMECO’s site.

Stay tuned for more inspiring voices in our “Women, In Their Own Words” series. If you would like to be invited to participate in this interview series, please email our EIC at editor@designdash.com with “WITOW” in the subject line and your responses in the body.