About Nicole Hardt

Blending AI-powered creative systems with classical photo art direction.

PROFILE

Strategic Creative & Visual Director with 25+ years of international experience across fashion, lifestyle, editorial, and brand marketing. Lived and worked in Paris for over eight years and gained early professional experience in London, shaping a strong cross-cultural understanding of European brand, fashion, and media landscapes. Specialized in translating brand strategy into clear, scalable creative and visual systems  from narrative and identity to photo, video, and content ecosystems. Proven track record in leading large interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with C-level stakeholders, and steering brands through phases of transformation.

CORE EXPERTISE

Brand Strategy and Systems

•    Brand strategy, communication, and positioning across international markets, including frameworks, messaging hierarchies, and touchpoint architectures.

•    End-to-end creative leadership across brand, campaign, and content ecosystems, translating strategy into distinctive visual narratives.

Creative Direction and Visual Identity

•    Leadership across brand, campaign, and content ecosystems, with a strong focus on photography and film from concept to execution across editorial, campaign, and digital formats.

Leadership and Innovation 

•    Leadership and coordination of international creative teams and partners, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and creative excellence

•    AI-supported creative workflows integrating emerging tools to enhance ideation, production efficiency, and quality control while maintaining brand integrity.

SELECTED EXPERIENCES

Lead Art Director – Global Brand Marketing
C&A · BERLIN · 2022–2026
Led the transformation of C&A’s visual identity across Europe. Developed and implemented scalable photography and video standards, establishing a consistent visual language across all markets and channels.

Professor and Dean of studies
AMD AKADEMIE FÜR MODE & DESIGN · BERLIN · 2020–2022
Led and developed the BA programme in Fashion Journalism & Communication, with a focus on visual communication, storytelling and media ethics. Connected academic teaching with professional practice in the international creative industries.

Creative Director, freelance
BERLIN · 2016–2020
Selected project: Conceived and developed the Fair Fashion Guide, a magazine created in collaboration with the Beneficial Design Institute and FEMNET to make sustainability in fashion accessible and engaging.

Lead Art Director – Global Brand Marketing
ZALANDO · BERLIN · 2013–2016
Developed Zalando’s international brand and communications strategy and led a team of 21 in delivering global campaigns and brand collaborations. Worked on the repositioning Zalando from an online retailer to a fashion and lifestyle brand.

Creative Director, freelance
PARIS · 2005–2013
Brand communications for Tranoï, the fashion trade show. Conceived its editorial magazine and directed the production of four issues a year.

ONGOING PROJECT

made/in India and Germany develops innovative collaborations between Indian and German craft and fashion through the interaction of designers and craftspeople from both countries. 

Visit the Website: made/in

Funded by the Federal Foreign Office.