Astrid Bareto

Creative brand leader with 9+ years of experience driving brand vision, collection strategy, and end-to-end product development within couture and boutique fashion houses across UAE and India. Expert in translating creative direction into commercially successful collections while managing sourcing, production, and cross-functional teams. Currently based in the UK and completing a Creative Director programme with Vogue UK, bringing international couture leadership together with UK market understanding.

Corporate Operations & Customer Experience - Yell - UK

(2024-11)

• Experience within a fast-paced UK corporate environment, developing strong understanding of UK workplace culture, professional standards, and customer expectations.

Brand Manager / Creative Lead - Nismaa Couture - Dubai, UAE

(2022-08 - 2024-08)

• Led creative direction and brand strategy across couture and occasion wear collections
• Developed seasonal concepts aligned with market trends and client demand
• Managed full product lifecycle from concept, sourcing, sampling to final production
• Directed fabric and trim sourcing balancing quality, timelines, and cost targets
• Led rebranding initiative that increased brand visibility by 55%
• Mentored design and production teams to ensure brand consistency and delivery excellence.
• Directed and produced brand photoshoots, overseeing concept development, art direction, styling, and visual storytelling to align with brand identity
• Conceptualised and executed fashion presentations and exclusive client showcase events to elevate brand visibility and engagement
• Collaborated with artists and creative professionals on cross-disciplinary projects, strengthening brand positioning within the luxury and couture space

Creative Lead / Production Supervisor - Roxx Fashion Boutique - UAE

(2015-10 - 2021-03)

• Led end-to-end collection development across design, fittings, sampling, and final production
• Managed production planning, workflow, and quality standards for couture garments
• Worked closely with boutique and clients to translate customer insights into design decisions
• Supervised tailoring, production, and front-of-house teams
• Maintained brand identity and premium customer experience across all touchpoints
• Awarded Best Team Leader (2017) for cross-department leadership
• Planned and executed fashion shows and in-store showcase events, managing creative direction, model coordination, styling, and show flow
• Led photoshoot production including concept creation, styling, and coordination with photographers and creative teams
• Collaborated with local artists on creative exhibitions and boutique activations to enhance customer experience and brand storytelling

Fashion Designer - Allure - Pune, India

(2013-02 - 2015-10)

• Designed multi-category collections and created technical drawings
• Supported sourcing, fittings, and quality control with production teams

Creative Director Programme - Vogue UK

Graphic Design - Creative Concept

Fashion Design - Goa