ISSUE 21: Karina Simón Has Good Taste

Karina Simón makes jewelry that doesn’t need to explain itself. It doesn’t wink, or signal, or perform. It just exists—cool, cryptic, and entirely its own.

Her pieces veer sculptural, off-balance, a little bratty (in the best way). Soldada isn’t trend-chasing—it’s mood-building.

This week, Karina talks about how she approaches form and simplicity, how she thinks about chaos and cleanliness, and what it means to make jewelry that doesn’t need to charm anyone to be powerful.

GTW: What does good taste mean to you?

KS: To me, good taste is the ability to bring together things that might not seem to belong, but arrange them in a way that feels natural, balanced, and beautiful. That’s what I try to do in my own work — bring together unexpected elements until they feel natural and beautiful.

GTW: Who in your life do you think has the best taste?

KS: Immediately, my mom. I think most of my sense of taste comes from her style. I’ve always been very simple when it comes to taste — I believe less is more. Even in my work, I like everything to feel very clean and refined. My mom has always been this way too. Even if she’s just wearing jeans and a tank top, she’ll style it with a killer bag or heels, and suddenly the simplest outfit looks slick and amazing. Her influence gave me the foundation, but over time I’ve made it my own — my version of her ‘less is more’ has become part of my identity.

GTW: Is there a specific object in your home or studio that brings you daily joy?

KS: My house is full of small animal figurines. Every time someone in my family travels, they bring back a figurine for my mom’s collection. So if you walk into her house, you’ll see little animals made of glass, ceramic, or wood tucked into every corner. They bring me joy because each one carries a story — a trip, a memory, a moment — and together they create an environment filled with love and intention.

GTW: What’s the last thing you truly fell in love with—an artwork, an outfit, a space, a moment, a person?

KS: I started teaching myself to draw about three years ago and have practiced almost every day since. A few months in, I discovered Salvador Dalí’s Persistence of Memory and was completely captivated by it. Later, I had the chance to visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum in his hometown of Figueres, and that experience was a turning point for me. I became fascinated not only with his paintings but also with his jewelry designs. Since then, every piece of art I create — whether a painting, drawing, or jewelry piece — carries some element inspired by his work.

GTW: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone developing their own taste or creative identity?

KS: I’d tell them: create without hesitation — art, outfits, music, literature, anything. Just create. When I started drawing, I was literally copying from other people’s work, and that was okay. Once I learned to draw the basics, my own creativity started to take over. Don’t fear drawing inspiration from others at the beginning; even choosing what inspires you is already an act of shaping your own taste. Creativity isn’t about being original from the start, it’s about creating until you uncover your own voice and identity.

GTW: What’s a reference point you always return to—an image, a place, a material, a song?

KS: Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory hangs in my room, and it’s the first thing I see when I wake up. The piece speaks to me in a way nothing else ever has. When I saw it in person at MoMA in New York City, it was life-changing — the surreal energy of the work felt completely different than any image or reproduction. It continues to remind me every day of the power art has to shift your perspective.

GTW: Has your idea of beauty or style changed over time?

KS: When I started making jewelry, my whole life shifted. Working with precious materials, stones, and tools required me to be precise, clean, and organized — qualities I didn’t naturally have before. Over time, this discipline reshaped not only my work but also my perspective on beauty. Now I see beauty in order, in simplicity, and in balance. Every day I try to bring more clarity and cleanliness into both my art and my life.

GTW: What’s something that shouldn’t work but you love anyway?

KS: I really love mismatched pieces, especially earrings. Traditionally, earrings are just mirror images of each other, which feels a little boring to me. My signature is to always add some mismatch — whether it’s a different sequence of charms or a variation in size. I love playing with contrast, and I think it brings a unique energy to every piece.

GTW: Anything exciting coming up you'd like to share or promote?

This December I graduate college and step fully into Soldada — with plans to bring our jewelry into boutiques across the U.S. and Europe. It’s just the beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited.

GTW: What's your ideal day off look like?

Sleeping in, ordering a burger, and watching movies in bed with my Dalmatian, Picasso — that’s my perfect day off.

This week’s goodies: Karina’s signature piece, the Confetti ring, takes center (and left, and right) stage.

Happy shopping! Mention GOODTASTE.WORLD when ordering from Karina through her instagram and get free shipping within the US.