CORE COMPETENCIES

 

• Visual Direction: A creative, analytical thinker; skilled at developing innovative approaches and solutions to resolve complex business issues. Developing visual languages that resonate with the consumer, influence mood, promoting brand recognition and customer loyalty.

 

• Omni-channel Retail: Creative impute in multiple marketing initiatives: retail stores, Internet, direct mail. Today's consumer is seeking a multifaceted retail experience and to be successful in the ever-changing landscape; understanding not only meet their needs, but also be the catalyst for what is new, now, and next.

 

• Product development: Championed branded private label product initiatives through innovative high-level showroom presentations. Managed product lifecycle from initial concept to final in-store customer-facing displays.

 

• Store Design / Customer Experience: Developing creative, visionary spaces that seamlessly blend art and commerce. Creating experiences that engage and inspire. Understanding brand personality, tone of voice, values, and the overall emotions associated with the “branded experience” in an over-saturated marketplace.

 

 

EXPERIENCE

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2021 – Current

Ramy Brook, New York, NY 

Director of Visual Merchandising and Store Design

Womens Specialty Retail

• Direct all levels of brand visual merchandising creative, window display, store design, interiors, and product development showrooms for multi-channel retailer.

• Contributing to the creative development of consumer retail engagement through branded stores, Department Store Shop-In-Shops, Pop-up Stores, and Branded Marketing Initiatives.

• Designed, Developed, and installed retail store in Southampton, NY

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2018 – Current

QUAMBY DESIGNS, New York, NY and Boiceville, NY 

Owner, Designer and Chief Creative Officer

Hand Made jewelry and Accessories Brand

• Designing and creating original semi precious stone jewelry collection for men and women. 

• Researched, Developed, and executed branded launch strategy for Etsy online store and company website. Increasing social media presence and consumer engagement. 

• Designed and produced all marketing materials including packaging, signage, photo shoots, and social media post. 

• Developing new market streams and retail outlets. Increasing revenue by 20% in 2020.

 

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2013 – 2018

ASCENA RETAIL GROUP: DRESSBARN, New York, NY and Mahwah NJ                                                      Director of Visual Merchandising and Design Services

Direct all brand visual merchandising creative, window display, store design, interiors, and product development showrooms for multi-channel retailer with gross sales of $2 billion and 835 retail stores. Touching all levels of consumer engagement -retail stores, Pop up shops, Internet, advertising and direct mail.

 

• Spearheaded layout for special events including Editor’s Day, Store Manager Conference and Board of Directors meetings, showcasing new products to multiple target audiences while maintaining consistency and brand integrity.

• Conceptualized, interpreted and communicating seasonal design trends into concepts presentations for product showroom presentations, windows, store design, marketing, and interiors. Partnering with all levels of Design, Merchandising, and Marketing teams.

• Developed new visual merchandising directives and tools to better communicate objectives to retail stores, increasing unit capacity on selling floor by 13%, and reducing payroll requirements through better self-service. 

• Partnered with outside design agency to develop 3 new store prototypes in Orlando, Florida; Nanuet, New Jersey; and Little Rock, Arkansas; reducing footprint while increasing dollars per square foot, resulting in 17% lift in the first 6 months. 

• Re-branded company visual language around dresses to change customer perception and to help move the brand into a new level of consumer awareness with design and installation of DressBAR pop up shop on 5thAvenue in New York City. Creating special events for guest designers Ashley Graham, Carmen Marc Valvo, Tulest as well as special events with In Style and O Magazine

 

2012 – 2012

ETIENNE AIGNER, New York, NY                                                                                                                     Karlton Evans Creative Services

Consultant: Director of Store Design and Visual Merchandising

Spearheading design and installation of first US freestanding shop, located in SoHo District. Developing strong strategic partnerships promoting effective communication across all levels and functional areas of the organization.

• Designed and installed the first Etienne Aigner freestanding store in New York City's Soho District, including fixtures and branded display elements. Partnering with executive teams to realize their vision.

• Leveraging both cross-functional and external partners to deliver the most impact within budget while identifying efficiencies, navigating change, and delivering results under pressure. 

• Conceptualized, designed, sourced and executed elevated fashion forward windows displays for SoHo location.

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2009 – 2012

TALBOTS, New York, NY and Boston, MA                                                                                 

Senior Director of Field Visual Merchandising – US and Canada

Led all aspects of development, and implementation of the Field Visual Merchandising organization for multi-channel retailer with gross sales of $1 billion. Directed team of 5 Regional Visual Managers and 1 Director of Visual Merchandising, directing merchandise & window presentation, visual display for 625 retail stores and 22 outlet stores across the US and Canada.

• Framed comprehensive In-store visual training seminar programs to build visual awareness in merchandising techniques and visual standards. And to raise the level of consistent execution in the field organization.

• Developed new store prototype at Garden State Plaza, creating an enhanced new customer experience while staying true the original residential branded voice. Spearheading the “Re-Fresh” store strategy, partnering with Store Planning and Construction Team to achieve targeted goals.

• Successfully developed department Visual Merchandising processes and training procedures to communicate company standards & disseminate the monthly direction to field leadership and store teams walk-thru guides, recap forms, merchandising tips, monthly execution advice and product flow standards.

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2005 – 2009

FOREVER 21, New York, NY

Regional Visual Merchandising Manager

• Interpreted corporate visual direction for Northeast Region leading a team 28. Overseeing 200+ doors, for a multi-channel retailer with gross sales of $2.8 billion

• Developed elevated interior and window display direction for 3 New York City locations.

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2004 – 2005

BANANA REPUBLIC, New York, NY

District Visual Market Manager

• Interpreted all corporate merchandising direction for 7 High Profile Manhattan locations. Developing training seminars and leading a visual team of 12

• Conceptualized and executed elevated presentation strategies for 5th Avenue & SoHo locations.

 

 

2003 – 2004

BURBERRY, New York, NY

Director of Visual Merchandising

• Developed the visual merchandising direction for wholesale division of brand, incorporating strategies based on retail initiatives elevating Shop-in-Shop presentations for major department store partners.

• Designing visual directive handbooks. Overseeing visual/marketing plans and producing seasonal directives. 

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1999 – 2003

FEDERATED MERCHANDISING GROUP, New York, NY

Visual Merchandising Manager for RTW and Accessories

• Developed monthly corporate visual directive for 6 RTW brands; INC, Alfani, Charter Club, Style & Co, Style & Co Collection, JM Collection, and 2 accessories brands; Alfani Shoes, Charter Club Jewelry & Handbags.

• Develop private label brand statements with merchants and marketing teams for 7 domestic divisions of Federated Department Stores: Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Burdines, Riches, Lazarus, Goldsmith, and The Bon Marche; and 3 international partners: Kosugi Sanyo – Japan, Meyers Grace – Australia, and Hudson Bay – Canada

 

 

1997 – 1999

THE LIMITED, New York, NY

Visual Merchandising Manager

• Interpreted corporate visual direction for multi-level Madison Avenue Flagship and window display support for Word Trade Center location. Participated in monthly corporate floor set team.

 

 

1996 – 1997

LAUNDRY BY SHELLI SEGAL, New York, NY

Regional Director of Visual Merchandising

• Merchandised all aspects of shop in shops: fixture, shop design, installation, negotiated spaces and managed staff for Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Saks 5thAvenue, Lord and Taylor, and Burdines in NY, NJ, CT, PA FL, MA, and DC.

 

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1994 – 2018

Karlton Evans Creative Services, New York, NY

Freelance Consultant 

CENTURTTREE PRODUCTIONS- 2018 | GAYLE WILSON GALLERY – 2008 | BRAD JOBE – 2003 | 

SIMON DUNCAN – 2002 | EFFI COHEN – 2002 | EMPORIO ARMANI – 1997 | JANET BROWN – 1997 | 

LINGO – 1995

• Provided creative direction and barding strategies for a variety of boutiques, artist, and agencies. Styling photo shoots, AD commercial production, set design, and runway shows, store design and visual merchandising.

 

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1992 – 1996

GAP INC., New York, NY

Regional Visual Assistant Manager

• Overseeing merchandising direction for 35 Manhattan locations. Leading training seminars on merchandising and display techniques. Designed and executed new visual direction for corporate development showrooms.

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EDUCATION

Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY, 

Major: Fashion Design

Degree: BFA

 

The State University of New York at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY, 

Major: Architecture