Laura Smarandache

Hello, I'm an accomplished area visual merchandiser based in London, UK. Over the years, I've had the privilege of driving ambitious business transformations and executing projects in diverse and challenging environments. I take great pride in consistently meeting deadlines, achieving budgetary targets, and upholding quality standards.

My journey in the fashion industry has been an exciting one. During my seven remarkable years at Guess, I had the opportunity to oversee 28 stores across the UK and Scandinavia, with successful launches of 14 of them. It was during this time that I honed my organisational, communication, and planning skills. I also had the chance to collaborate on opening Pop-Up stores like Farmer's Markets in Selfridges, Places+Faces Guess in Shoreditch, Fashion Fair AT Panorama in Berlin and other special events.

As a passionate leader, I recruited, trained, and supervised a team of 10 visual merchandisers, implementing effective strategies and captivating displays that led to an increase in window sales and overall revenue growth.

Recently, I embarked on a self-initiated sabbatical, dedicating myself to a freelance fashion design project. This allowed me to explore innovative concepts, refine my technical skills, and collaborate with international vendors and manufacturers. It was an incredible experience that expanded my knowledge in fashion and ignited a profound passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

With a comprehensive understanding of the entire project management lifecycle, from scoping to implementation, I'm well-prepared to drive successful outcomes in any creative venture. My educational background in Fashion and Costume Strategies, along with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, complements my practical expertise in the field.

I thrive in building strong and productive relationships with stakeholders across all departments and organizational levels. My democratic leadership style fosters collaboration and empowers teams to excel.

Looking ahead, I'm thrilled to leverage my enhanced expertise and enthusiasm to contribute to new challenges and creative ventures. 

I pursued a Master of Arts in Fashion and Costume Strategies from the National University of Arts, Bucharest, from 2012 to 2014. The program focused on interdisciplinary projects blending contemporary art and scientific research, exploring innovative approaches to fashion's future. The curriculum emphasised the profound relationship with clothing in all forms, from practical garments to artistic costumes. Before the master's, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Decorative Arts and Design and A-Levels with Philology-Spanish specialisation at "Elena Cuza" National College.