Katiana Castro Cortés

About Me

Business manager within the luxury sector, with experience across in-store and online sales. I combine strong commercial acumen with a client-centric approach — building high-value relationships with VIP clients and supporting business growth. Passionate about fashion, fitness, and travel.

Based In

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Open to opportunities across the GCC and Europe.

Specialization

Sales & client development, CRM, customer engagement, high-profile client networks.

Sector Experience

Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Michael Kors, Hollister — UAE & Spain.

Languages

Native Spanish, fluent English — written and spoken presentations in both.

Key Achievements

Numbers that back the story

€12M

Managed the highest-volume Hollister store in the world — over 50% of total UAE sales.

70%

Of total sales across two Louis Vuitton stores in the Mediterranean region, the highest-share store in EMEA.

Top 3

Ranked among Europe's top three sellers at Michael Kors, "Top Sales Person" two consecutive months.

9+ mkts

Multicultural client experience across the Middle East, UK, US and Europe, on and offline.

Work Experience

Ten years, one industry, growing scope

From sales floor to store leadership across four of the world's leading luxury houses.

Aug 2025 –
Sep 2026

Aug 2025 – Sep 2026

Senior Stylist — Client Development & Sales

Wear That, Chalhoub Group · Dubai, UAE

Drive sales performance and revenue growth across online and in-person channels, with a strong focus on KPI’s, conversion, and client retention.
Manage and develop an international client portfolio across UAE and key regional markets, identifying opportunities to increase engagement, loyalty and client value.
Leverage CRM, client data, and AI-powered tools to analyze customer behavior, segment client profiles, and deliver targeted commercial opportunities.
Develop client engagement initiatives across digital and social channels to support acquisition, retention and sales.
Build long-term client relationships through a highly personalized approach, identifying individual needs and opportunities for repeat business.
Identify and connect partnership opportunities to drive client acquisition.

Aug 2024 –
Aug 2025

Aug 2024 – Aug 2025

Personal Shopper & B2B Affiliate Partnerships

Threads Styling, Chalhoub Group · Dubai, UAE

Managed and developed a portfolio of high-net-worth clients across the Middle East, UK, and US.
Drove client segmentation and engagement strategies leveraging data-driven insights.
Utilized CRM and analytics to track client behaviour and optimize outreach.
Implemented digital and social strategies to enhance brand visibility and support sales.
Managed and developed B2B affiliate partnerships to expand the network, drive client acquisition, and generate revenue growth.
Leveraged CRM analytics and client segmentation to identify growth opportunities, optimize engagement, drive retention, and increase client value.

Jan 2024 –
Jul 2024

Jan 2024 – Jul 2024

Team Manager — Women's Category

Gucci · Dubai, UAE

Led performance reviews and set SMART KPIs, tracking progress via Workday.
Utilized clienteling tools to activate, retain, and grow the client base.
Collaborated with leadership and training teams to ensure Client Advisors had strong product knowledge and market awareness.
Monitored category performance and proposed proactive actions to achieve targets.

Aug 2022 –
Dec 2023

Aug 2022 – Dec 2023

Team Manager — Women's Universe, CRM & Client Development

Louis Vuitton Marbella & Puerto Banús · Spain

Coached and developed team members through tailored growth plans, driving performance and engagement.
Led strategic initiatives to enhance sales performance, leveraging CRM, targeted training, visual merchandising, and client events; oversaw the Women’s category, contributing ~70% of total sales in both stores.
Managed daily operations, including inventory, after-sales, compliance, scheduling, and health & safety.
Engaged with global VIC clients through high-profile international and local events (e.g. Paris, Dubai, Courchevel, Fashion Weeks).
Tracked and optimized sales performance, managing targets and budgets to consistently meet business objectives of two different stores.
Identified and developed new business opportunities through strategic partnerships and high-value client acquisition.

Jul 2019 –
Jun 2022

Jul 2019 – Jun 2022

Department Manager — Men's Universe, CRM & Client Development

Saint Laurent · Dubai, UAE

Supported the buying team in shaping client-centric seasonal strategies through data analysis and forecasting.
Managed relationships with VICs, brand ambassadors, and celebrities across the Dubai Mall flagship and regional events.
Delivered training across GCC markets (Kuwait, Doha, Abu Dhabi) on client segmentation, product knowledge, and sales strategies.
Set and tracked sales targets and KPIs, driving team performance and exceeding benchmarks.
Facilitated exclusive client experiences, including escorting a top Middle East client to Paris Fashion Week (Winter ’22).
Developed targeted client initiatives in partnership with CRM, Client Engagement, and Marketing teams, driving client development strategies and overseeing budgets for key client experiences.

Mar 2018 –
Jul 2019

Mar 2018 – Jul 2019

Department Manager — Women's Category

Saint Laurent · Dubai, UAE

Manager in one of the highest-volume YSL stores in the EMEA region and the largest YSL flagship worldwide, ensuring operational excellence and strong sales performance.
Analysed daily business trends to identify growth opportunities and implemented processes to exceed KPIs.
Led the rollout and adoption of new CRM systems, training teams on clienteling strategies, targeted outreach and relationship-building techniques to strengthen client engagement and retention.
Planned and delivered exclusive VIP events in close collaboration with the marketing team, enhancing client engagement and brand loyalty.

Feb 2016 –
Feb 2018

Feb 2016 – Feb 2018

Assistant Store Manager

Hollister LLC · Dubai, UAE

Oversaw performance of a 27-person team, ensuring store targets were met through strong visual merchandising, staff development, and data-driven decisions.
Delivered regular business reports and presentations to senior management.
Analysed KPIs and market insights to optimize conversion, ATV, UPT, and client engagement.
Consistently ranked in the top 3 globally for daily sales performance.
Completed an immersive management training program focused on all facets of running a multi-million USD retail business.

Early Career

Manager in Training (MIT Program) · Hollister LLC, DubaiNov 2015 – Feb 2016

Assistant Store Manager · Aristocrazy, MadridJul 2014 – May 2015

Sales Assistant · Michael Kors, MadridNov 2013 – Jun 2014

Education

Grounded in business and people

2016 – 2020

MBA

Distance Master in Business Administration — EAE Business School, Madrid, Spain.

2013 – 2015

MSc Marketing & Business Management

Distance Masters — IMF Business School / University CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain.

2009 – 2013

BHND, Human Nutrition & Dietetics

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.

Also

Highly proficient in Microsoft Office. Strong presentation skills, written and oral, in both Spanish and English.

Beyond Work

Different goals, same mindset.

I am passionate about endurance sports and bring the same mindset to both my personal and professional life. Discipline, consistency, resilience, and the ability to perform through challenges are values that shape how I approach everything I do.

I am currently training for Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth, a goal that requires long-term preparation, commitment, and mental resilience. I believe meaningful progress comes from showing up consistently, staying focused, and putting in the work every day, even when conditions are challenging.

Triathlon Scuba Diving High-Altitude Trekking Wakeboarding Mountaineering