Chimere Cissé, founder of ArtKōrero, on navigating the global art landscape and creating meaningful platforms for women collectors

As a global art consultant, collector and founder of ArtKōrero, Chimere Cissé has created a distinctive space that bridges cultural storytelling and strategic thinking. Working across London, Dubai and the wider international art landscape, she has found the perfect blend of art, fashion and culture, curating bespoke projects and connecting like-minded creatives.

With more than a decade in the fashion industry, Chimere’s career has always been rooted in creativity. Yet her move into the art world, she explains, felt like a natural evolution. “I grew up around art, so it always felt like a natural part of my life. My mother was a collector and used to take me to museums from a very young age… and my aunt was a painter, so creativity was always present at home,” she says.

Over time, she found herself drawn towards a career path that connects fashion, media and art. “I’ve always enjoyed building projects that sit between those two worlds, where there is both vision and strategy,” she explains. While she initially saw herself as an admirer and later a collector of art, founding ArtKōrero in 2020 brought these worlds together. “My work had always been connected to visual storytelling and creative collaboration, so founding ArtKōrero felt like a natural evolution, bringing together art, media and partnerships in a way that felt very instinctive to me.”

As both an ambassador and collector, Cissé’s perspective is shaped by a close understanding of artistic practice. “I think I have a deeper appreciation of how artists work. And the sensitivity with which they approach business. I try to keep that in mind when we develop partnerships,” she says. This thoughtful approach underpins her consultancy, which focuses on cultural innovation, sustainability and meaningful collaboration between artists, organisations and patrons.

Her commitment to expanding access continues through STELLA Alliance, the platform she co-founded with Greta Scarpa to support female collectors. “It was formed to bring collectors together and foster greater participation in the art market by women,” she explains. The response has been strong, with gatherings held across cities from Milan to Qatar, alongside a forthcoming report dedicated to women collectors.

At the recent edition of Salone del Mobile. Milano, STELLA Alliance hosted a gathering at Galerie Emanuela Campoli, bringing together a network of engaged collectors. “Being present during these cultural moments is essential,” Cissé notes. “Our patrons engage across disciplines. They are not collecting in isolation, but thinking about how art connects with design, architecture and fashion.”

For Cissé, this initiative also responds to a broader industry challenge. “There is an extraordinary amount of choice in the art world today, but not always enough transparency,” she says. “Many collectors, and particularly women, don’t always have access to the same networks… which can make the entry point feel less accessible than it should be.” Through STELLA, she aims to create a more open and supportive ecosystem where knowledge and opportunity are shared.

Alongside her professional work, philanthropy remains central to her mission, with support for organisations including the British Council, Dubai Cares, Fashion Fights Cancer and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation. Her work consistently reflects a desire to use creativity as a vehicle for impact, building platforms that extend beyond the traditional art world.

Balancing a global career with motherhood has also shaped her outlook. “Anyone who knows me will say I’m always ‘on’. But since becoming a mother, I’ve learnt to slow it down,” she shares. “The contrast between international travel and quieter family moments, she says, brings perspective and balance. Life moves fast, and as a former boss used to say, “It’s PR, not ER.” Work can usually wait, and I try to remind myself to breathe, be present, and enjoy the little things.”

Looking ahead, her ambitions remain expansive. “I want to launch new ideas, raise as much as possible for my charities, and finally organise my closet,” she says. This year will also see the launch of ArtKōrero in Indonesia, alongside the brand’s first creative wellness summit at Jointspace in Alserkal Avenue, bringing together artists and longevity practitioners.

Yet at the heart of her work remains the desire to create meaningful cultural connections and make art more accessible for female collectors. “We see ourselves as cultural facilitators – finding partners to support ideas, connecting the dots, and watching things take shape,” she explains. “In a world that never slows down, creating moments of pause… even two minutes of real contemplation… feels like meaningful work. That’s what drives us.”