Visual Manager Merchandiser

GENNARO FREDELLA

*** ****** ******, ***. *** Brooklyn, NY 11201

H: 718-***-**** C: 646-***-****

E: adptt2@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

An accomplished visual merchandiser with significant expertise in luxury men’s and women’s clothing and accessory brands, complemented by academic training in graphic design and illustration. Providing creative input for floor and window displays, print ads and catalog presentations. Developing productive relationship with senior management, buyers, personal shoppers, vendors, architects, freelance personnel and advertising agencies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, NY (3/13 to present)

Group Visual Manager

• Supervision of both Men’s Traditional and Men’s Contemporary floors, and management of Visual department staff.

• Meet with Managing Director to strategize visual concepts and seasonal themes.

• Partner with Saks’ Brand Ambassador to create visual concepts and designs.

• Work closely with Brand Ambassadors of Men’s hard shops, including Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Brioni, and Isaia, to execute their visual projects.

• Develop and stage displays for high profile events, such as Made-To-Measure and Fashion Week.

• Hands-on stylist, dressing mannequins and staging displays for both Men’s departments. Brooks Brothers, New York, NY (3/03 to 10/12)

Flagship (Madison Avenue) Visual Manager

• Supervised window installation in conjunction with corporate plans. Independent authority to further execute windows to highlight flagship store’s prominence.

• Directly responsible for continuing monthly themes established by windows and merchandise throughout the interior sales areas of store.

• Supervised staff of three Visual Associates responsible for assisting in the execution of windows displays and store interiors.

• Responsible for interviewing and hiring full-time and freelance staff, and manage day-to-day activities of these individuals.

• Executed plans and store displays for high profile press events for spring and fall previews, especially Brooks’ signature Black Fleece line.

• Travelled to open new stores and supervise installation of windows and merchandise displays. Freelance Stylist, New York, NY (9/02 to 3/03, 10/12 to 3/13)

• Fashion stylist on several catalog, advertising, editorial photo shoots.

• Visual stylist for several brands, stores, and showrooms.

• Companies include: Mayo Studios, Family Britches, Brooks Brothers, Barbour, PVH Showrooms Paul Stuart, Inc., New York, NY (6/84 to 12/02)

Senior Visual Manager (8/00 to 12/02) Visual Manager (3/93 to 8/00)

• Built a progressive career path with this leading retail store, advancing to a position with responsibility for the design, construction and maintenance of displays throughout the entire facility.

• Incorporated a more animated look into many of the store presentations, which created a fresh and dynamic appearance that was instrumental in reaching broader market base.

• Applied design skills in the conception and drawing of many backdrops to strengthen impact of product and window displays. Provided key input into the creation of patterns for lines of clothing.

• Identified new and alternative sources for props and other materials, and developed long-term and loyal relationships with suppliers, which expanded access to items while reducing costs.

• Collaborated with advertising agencies in the production of catalogs, mailers and other promotional material. Advised on the selection of models, choice of merchandise and the overall look of photographs.

• Participated in major store renovations, interacting with top management and architects to ensure compliance with company objectives and standards.

• Maintained contact with sculptors regarding the specification of fixtures designed to accommodate store requirements.

EDUCATION

School of Visual Arts, New York, NY

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Honors; Major in Illustration (1982) HONORS AND AWARDS

• Positioned Paul Stuart as recipient for several Gene Moore Lighting Awards, presented by the LSI Lighting Co. and sponsored by the Visual Merchandising & Store Design Magazine.

• Featured in the “Elements of Style” column in GQ Magazine in 1990. LANGUAGES

English: native language

Italian: fluent (speaking, reading, writing)

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