Meet Andreea Bălăoiu | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andreea Bălăoiu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andreea, what inspires you?
My professional creative path emerged not long ago, only two years ago, actually. I have always had creative interests; however, I never fathomed this would become a path I would viscerally and wholeheartedly embrace as my form of artistic self-expression. Growing up I was a recluse, I kept to myself and surrounded myself with books, music and cultural aspects that inspired me to become introspective and search for deeper meanings within everything I see around me. I discovered my passion and love for the alternative scene in high school, and it has ever since defined my aesthetic and creative pursuits. I also have a strong sense of fashion, and my interests have converged towards styling and creative direction within fashion. Ultimately, on this styling route, I started modelling and levelling my aesthetic through brand collaborations, inspiring a deep love for creative direction. I am inspired by concepts and symbolism. The dichotomy of shadow and light is the fundament of my interpretation of beauty and my feminine dimension. In light of this powerful symbol, I have defined my dark feminine personal and creative identity, echoing classic tragic beauties in cinema, theatre and opera. Overall, what inspires me the most is my newfound boldness to walk into the shadows and ignite the light and fire of my creative potential within them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I pursued many artistic outlets while growing up. I have been discovered and encouraged by my parents and teachers to develop my talent for singing, painting, and writing, and so I did. However, none of these became a full-fledged profession, as I am now in my early 30s in full bloom of my career as a Marketing Creative Director. They remain my oasis, and I am very grateful I can do everything I do independently and self-reliant. My form of art currently is my theatrical visual storytelling, “cinematic poetry” as I like to call it, with my very distinctive dark femme touch. I have taken up modelling and acting to see myself unleash my potential through the lens. My first professional shoot two years ago was my epiphany. Since then, I have pursued my theatrical expression boldly in front of the camera and behind it as an aspiring creative director, building diverse concepts within my portfolio and forging deep creative bonds with my fellow artists and collaborators. This theatrical side of my character and my expressivity fuels my creative direction in projects I script-write, coordinate, and develop independently and in brand collaborations or creative productions. My versatility is what sets me apart. My aesthetic is dark feminine; however, regardless of this, I try to fulfil any concept and any expression per brief, as a true aspiring actress and intense artistic performer. My proudest achievement in my creative career is becoming the model and creative director for the Latvian couture brand SHERBON, which specialises in dark feminine, gothic wedding and evening couture gowns. I have come a long way in building a portfolio and pushing my boundaries of expression until this solidified into a serious pursuit of fulfilling my creative visions for elevating this brand. It was certainly not easy, as I took upon myself the conception, planning, budgeting, creative coordination, modelling and post-production with a very small team of creatives. But what made me overcome this challenge and many others was the fire within to see beautiful creative work materialise and touch the beholder. This is the absolute measure of my creative work – I want to constantly stir your eyes, mind and heart. I have learned to follow my heart and let it guide me, no matter the risks. Because as long as I believe strongly in this tremor in my heart and the passion for creation, there will be an echo someday, somewhere. I thus would like the world to visit my portfolio and see for themselves what range I am capable of. My Instagram account, @bleude4ndre7, is my current portfolio, and I am building my website.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If that very dear soul, who is also an astounding creative, would ever visit my little world here, the place I would choose would be a very special beach a little bit outside of Riga. As I see it, it would start from a place with water. Water is the opposite sign of fire and a source of eternal inspiration and fascination to me, always cleansing my gaze, always making me see the path clearer. That beach would be one of the remote places, as I prefer showing natural places as opposed to touristic hubs. We would probably eat and drink something we had packed ourselves for the road, and doze off observing. But it’s not the consumption that matters; it’s the time well-spent, the connection, the gazing in the distance, the perfect silence that speaks more than words. It’s the echo you find in a person you feel like you’ve known your entire life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this to my father, my brightest light of inspiration. A wholesome poet whose lyricism inspired me to write, express myself romantically and idyllically, and never fear to open my eyes, my heart and my mind towards beauty. Without him and his eternal support, I would not be the wiser creative I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bleude4ndre7/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreea-b%C4%83l%C4%83oiu-3132683b/

Image Credits
Photographers:
Linda Liepina
Olga Alia
Liliana Legzdina
Anna Omni
Gia Ricordi
Jvart Photo