My journey in the creative world began with a passion for fashion and a keen eye for marketing and media. Equipped with a degree in Fashion Business and Marketing, I embarked on a career that spanned over twelve years and took me across the vibrant landscapes of London, Berlin, São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro.
My early days in São Paulo back in saw me delving into fashion design, PR, and luxury lifestyle magazines. However, it was in London where my creative spirit truly soared. Assisting renowned stylists for prestigious titles like Vogue US, L’UOMO Vogue, and T:The New York Times Style, I found myself amid big advertising campaigns and even styling celebrities like Rihanna and Jude Law. The fashion world opened its doors wide, and I was ready to embrace every opportunity.
Seeking new horizons, I returned to Brazil after completing with distinction an MA in Media Production at the University of the Arts London and freelanced for notable magazines like Vogue and Glamour. My passion for visual storytelling also found expression in the TV realm, as I became part of the costume design team for the captivating ‘Geração Brasil’ soap opera produced by TV Globo.
In 2014, my creative vision led me to co-found Stories Collective, a bilingual digital platform showcasing the inspiring work of Brazilian and international creatives. What began as a digital endeavour soon evolved into an annual print magazine and art exhibition, thanks to funding from a government-run program by Brazil’s Ministry of Culture.
Stories Collective photos by Gustavo Schlindwein
Yearning for purpose-driven opportunities, I set my sights on Berlin in 2015. There, I worked for Berliner Stadtmission NGO, immersed myself in the Fashion Revolution movement and collaborated as a social media manager with the sustainable fashion project Green Fashion Tours, championing ethical practices and environmental responsibility.
Life’s twists and turns led me to Asia for the third time, where I fully embraced a transformative Yoga journey. When Covid disrupted the world, I found myself in Thailand, where I delved into content creation and social media strategy for Yoga businesses.
In 2021, Europe beckoned once more, and I joined Ccrave, a circular economy platform, and e-commerce as their Content Editor. This remote position offered the freedom I craved, allowing me to balance my love for sustainable fashion, travel, content creation, and Yoga. I adopted the lifestyle of a digital nomad, escaping winters and embracing the beauty of Portugal and the vibrancy of Southeast Asia.
As the world continued to shift, so did my projects. In 2022, Stories Collective embarked on an exciting new chapter with fresh funding, giving rise to Coletivo—an inspiring newspaper with collectable editions focused on entrepreneurship, sustainability, technology, creativity, wellness, and fashion. Coletivo found its eager readers in São Paulo, Brazil, providing an inclusive space for ideas to flourish.
Alongside this project, I joined Booking.com as a freelancer Community Manager in July 2022, where I spent over seven months supporting the Content Creation team on the Travel Communities project. I managed eight country communities with an impressive 4.2 million active users. Simultaneously, my passion for content creation and Yoga led me to expand my horizons as a social media manager for yoga retreats—a beautiful confluence of my multifaceted pursuits.
My journey has been one of relentless growth, exploration, and purpose. From fashion luxury magazines to mindful style, activism, content creation, and the sacred realm of yoga and wellness retreats, I continue to make my unique mark in the world. Embracing my multi-passionate nature, I thrive on this extraordinary path, weaving a tapestry of creativity, sustainability, and positive change—a visionary creator with a disruptive spirit.
Mariana Lourenço 