Fashion Industry Senior Executive

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FASHION INDUSTRY SENIOR EXECUTIVE

* Merchandising

* Design and Product Development

* Sourcing

* Brand Strategy

Providing Expertise in Fashion Trends, Product

Development/Design, Merchandising and Executive Partnerships

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CORE STRENGTHS & COMPETENCIES

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* Brand Visioning/Strategy

* Trend Spotting

* Fashion Identification

* Product Design

* Product Development

* Product Sourcing

* Margin Improvement

* Coaching/Mentoring

* Change Management

* Leadership Development

* Vertical Integration

* Budgeting & Expense Reports

* Staff Training & Development

* Talent Management

* Relationship Building

* Productivity Improvement

* Strategic and Tactical Planning

* Organizational Development

* Creative/Strategic Selling

* Market Analysis/Research

* P&L Responsibility

* Merchandising/Promotion

* Vendor Negotiations

* Technical Design

* New Market Identification

* Product Introduction

* Lead-time Reduction

* Quality Control

* Expense Control

* Employee Relations

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

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* Collaborated with CEO and enhanced reaction to consumer

with consistently changing wants and needs through

evolution to vertical organization; introduced concept and

identified needs to control (versus own) components of

product development, design and supply chain. Identified

key vendor partners to support vertical design process;

collaborated with HR on job descriptions for vertical

organization.

Vice President, Product Design & Development

Lane Bryant

* Provided ability to react to trend right fashion and

runway inspiration by lowering woven cycle time from 120

days to 90 days and knits cycle time from 110 days to 65

days; carried out through cross-functional collaboration

with Hong Kong direct sourcing office, key domestic

vendors, VP Planning, VP Merchandising and President.

Vice President, Product Design & Development

Lane Bryant

* Generated more than $500 million in sales (YTD) through

launch of trademarked product, Right Fit (revolution in

denim bottoms and career pants); effectively utilized

Intellifit data to develop and bring to market 3 pant fits

(targeting specific body shapes).

Vice President, Product Design & Development

Lane Bryant

* Saved company $1.5 million (2006-2008) through elimination

of 8 full-time associate positions and lowered costs 30% in

2008, 25% in 2007 and 15% in 2006 by minimizing travel,

sample and external expenses; despite changes, ensured

department performance during product development and

design lifecycles through use of freelance and part time

staff.

Vice President, Product Design & Development

Lane Bryant

* Outperformed competition and negotiated nearly $30 million

in exclusive development deals for new products with

Gravity Games (children's clothing - $10 million in sales),

Disney Products Group (exclusively sold Disney Princess

apparel - $12 million in sales), and Amblin Entertainment

(Steven Spielberg) (rerelease of ET apparel - $6 million in

sales). Also negotiated licensing deals with Disney and

Nickelodeon.

Vice President, Merchandising, Design & Product Development

Kids R Us

* Launched and administered all facets of private brands

organization (generating $81 million and supported by $10

million budget); increased sales from 8% in 1997 to 10% in

1998 to 12% in 1999; increased gross margin dollars 12% in

1997 (gross margin of 29%); increased gross margin dollars

11.5% in 1998 (gross margin of 31.5%); increased gross

margin dollars 12.7% in 1999 (gross margin of 32.7%).

Senior Vice President, Private Brands

Belk, Inc

* Key founder and facilitator of in-house product

development, design and sourcing team focusing on

sleepwear, daywear, bras and panties for retail stores

(total sales volume exceeded $1.5 billion); increased sales

in printed sleepwear 20% through creation of companion

prints in complementing styles; negotiated garment costs

with overseas and domestic factories resulting in 8%

increase in IMU in sleepwear.

Sr. Director of Product Development, Design and Sourcing

Victoria's Secret Stores

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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LANE BRYANT ... Columbus, Ohio

September 2005 to October 2008

Multichannel retailer with 800+ retail stores, 120 outlet

stores and e commerce all located in US. Generates

$1.2 billion annually with operations supported by up to

10,000 associates. Premier brand in plus sized retail with

#1 brand recognition and awards for customer service and

visual store lay out. Division of Charming Shoppes, Inc.

Vice President, Product Design and Development

Member of executive team primarily accountable for

recognizing, embracing, implementing and translating product

trends and fashions to sales dollars; administered

$10.5 million operating budget (2008) with $1.2 billion

direct profit and loss responsibility (comprising sales,

GMROI and direct sourcing performance). Delivered board

presentations advocating brand profiles, product strategies,

design implementation and consumer profiles. Conducted

extensive travel to Europe and Asia.

Administered performance of 28 staff (including 7 direct

reports) comprising directors, product designers, product

managers, CAD designers, trend specialists, color manager,

and sourcing managers.

Lead organization and set trend, color, print and style

point of view. Served as vendor contact to insure products

complemented in-house designed products; negotiated

international vendor rates and contract terms; managed order

placements as well as vendor performance and contributions.

* Streamlined product development cycle via 58% reduction of

process meetings as well as identification of critical

decision making points within cycle with assigned owners

(allowed increased focus on actual product design and

assortment building).

* Developed Freshness Factor initiative in collaboration

with GMM and VP Planning to support new product

introductions every two weeks; increased sales 10-15% by

offering fresh products using a Fast Track calendar and

identified vendor/factory base.

* Successfully brought fundamental element back to specialty

line stores; created clear point of view (POV) through

identification and implementation of fashion/trend message,

color message; improved visual impact, and focused fashion

colors relating back to identified trend (with garments

sharing common color, pattern, fabric, and trims).

* Increased active business sales $35 million by blending

product assortment into lifestyle categories (with

street-wear, weekend-wear and comfort-wear identified as

benchmark lifestyles).

* Enabled $350 million in sales through successful design,

merchandising, and sourcing of products for opening of 120

Lane Bryant outlets; facilitated performance through use of

product extensions for best sellers and newly designed

proprietary products. Results led to development and

implementation of team to manage outlets as separate entity

(including leadership at president level).

* Enhanced floor sales through guidance of cross-functional

team and focus on lead time reduction from technical side

of product development cycle; directly impacted lab

approvals, fabric research and development, costing,

counter sampling process, fit approval process, garment and

fabric production process, concept to textile alignment,

style alignment, and buy meetings.

* Reduced volume of external vendors 80% in 2008 and focused

in-house designed products through direct sourcing channels

via introduction of vendor matrix concept to organization.

SAKS, INCORPORATED ... Birmingham, Alabama

January 2005 to September 2005

Department store retailer comprising banner names Saks Fifth

Avenue, Proffitt's, Parisian and Carson Pirie Scott;

locations based primarily in Southern region and

Central/Northern parts of US.

Vice President, Merchandising, Product Design, Development

Oversaw design, development, sourcing and procurement of

Women's Better Sportswear and Intimate Apparel catering to

missy, petite and plus sized customers; managed $2.7 million

operating budget with $220 million direct profit and loss

responsibility. Ensured performance of 5 direct reports and

20 total staff members; communicated regularly with

department store presidents, marketing executives, and

visual presentation executives.

* Guided FY 2004 Better Sportswear to sales and gross profit

plan (only area in company to meet expectations);

performance recognized with Brand of the Year award from

Chairman and CEO.

* Generated $22 million in Better Sportswear sales and

replaced sub-par quality program through introduction of

soft touch basic knit tops; value priced program offered

quality, fashion and value at cost-sensitive price.

* Captured additional market and generated $10 million in

intimate apparel sales through introduction of sleep wear

separates targeting 21-35 year-old consumer; program

catered to buyers of extremely popular branded fashion

line.

* Increased gross margins on in-house designed, developed

and sourced products 10%-15%.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

March 2004 to December 2004

Design House, Ltd ... Nashville, Tennessee: Developed

business strategy and product assortments for event based

business with focus on entertainment industry and religious

outreach groups. Generated $5 million through introduction

of new line of clothing sold at large outreach seminars;

After Hours Formalwear ... Atlanta, Georgia: Created product

development, design and sourcing process as well as

developed organizational structure and scripted all job

descriptions. Reduced product development, design and

sourcing process by 25%

VF CORPORATION, VF IMAGEWEAR ... Nashville, Tennessee

September 2002 to March 2004

World's largest vertically operated apparel company;

includes brands Wrangler, Lee, Jansport, The North Face,

Nautica, and Kipling; generates more than $6 billion

annually with over 60,000 employees in 22 countries.

Vice President, Merchandising ... VF Imagewear

Accountable for simultaneous lines of work wear/uniforms

(Red Kap, Bulwark and Chef Designs) and branded affinity

apparel (Lee, Wrangler, The North Face and Jansport);

administered $2.5 million annual operating expense with

total revenue generated at $650 million (with 32.5% gross

margins). Supervised staff of 15 including 7 direct reports;

team comprised merchandising, product innovators and

compliance specialists.

* During tenure, increased uniform market share 9% and

increased affinity apparel market share 17%.

* Increased revenue from $575 million to $650 million

(2002-2004) via product introductions and acquisitions;

maximized revenue and increased competitive position

(reversing underperforming product line) through

partnerships with sourcing and supply chain to drive

negotiation pricing for all product categories (requiring

travel to Asia, Europe, Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica).

* Expanded market reach and generated $25 million in sales

though introduction of wicking fabrics, stain repellant

fabrics, and wrinkle free options; led research &

development and introduced new anti-microbial uniform

option (for Chef Designs line) to market.

* Generated $30 million in sales through introduction of

ANSI compliant products for fire, police and construction

industries; products enabled users to remain visible during

night and foggy conditions.

* Enhanced productivity through development and

implementation of calendar-based product development

process (including agreed customization points for each

brand/business unit); saved $250,000 by implementing

process (versus using consulting firm) and completed

project within 5 months.(included process document, job

descriptions, customization points and extensive overseas

travel to all of factories worldwide).

* Reduced piece goods contracts 12% through negotiations

with domestic mills; additionally lowered garment costs 17%

with savings passed on to both consumer and company.

TOYS R US, INC. ... Paramus New Jersey

April 2000 to September 2002

*

International toy and clothing store chain operating 585

stores in United States and 716 stores in 34 other

countries; largest toy-centered retailer and second largest

overall toy retailer in United States. Operates several

affiliated chains under different banner names.

Vice President, Merchandising, Design and Product Development

Kids R Us, Division

Guided buyers, designers and product development managers

through design, development and procurement of branded,

private branded and licensed products; controlled

$2.5 million budget and ensured performance of $600 million

profit/loss activity.

* Increased private brand penetration (40% in boys and 50%

in girls) through design and development of exclusive

product assortments providing enhanced style, quality and

value; conducted extensive travel to Europe and Asia to

assist with product enhancements.

* Grew shoe business 15% through successful negotiation with

key girls fashion brands including Stevies by Steve Madden,

Esprit and Sketchers (newly introduced to Kids R Us).

* Collaborated with executive team on strategy closing and

consolidating Kids R Us stores into single concept apparel

and toy stores; store closures/consolidations ultimately

generated $175 million in revenue.

* Led strategic planning team through development and

implementation of product development process (reducing

number of meetings 35%), calendar and organizational

design; initiative earned President's Award for Excellence.

BELK, INC ... Charlotte, North Carolina

February 1997 to April 2000

Nation's largest family owned department store chain;

generated $3.8 billion annually with operations supported by

10,000 associates. Recently purchased Parisian and the

Bon Ton Stores.

Senior Vice President, Private Brands

Administered $10Million budget and orchestrated development

of organization (generating $280 million in sales).

Successfully recruited and mentored a team of Designers,

Product Managers, Directors and Quality and Technical

Designers. Spearheaded brand profile development, business

planning and marketing plans for each brand. Reported to

President and CMO and oversaw all apparel for Women's

(including Intimates), Men's and Children's along with

accessories, shoes and home store. Extensive travel to

Europe for trend and Asia for factory visits and sourcing.

* Generated $27 million in women's private brand sales

(increasing sales 40% with gross margin of 39.3%) through

focus on new 30-50 year-old fashion consumer with higher

disposable income (focused on trend-right fashionable

clothing).

* Increased plus size sales $20 million through design,

development and introduction of product line (Kim Rogers)

providing trend-right fashion apparel and accessories for

career and casual lifestyles with quality at affordable

prices.

* Sold $33 million in family brand assortment, J. Khaki

(men's, women's and children's clothing) through

development and launch of Fall 2000 campaign; responsible

for design of in-store visual package, all branding

collateral and marketing strategy.

* Brought $18 million in revenue through launch of private

brand intimate apparel under Kim Rogers and Madison Studio

brands.

* Eliminated product duplication and increased profitability

through reduction of 15 to 9 private brands; reduction

subsequent to comprehensive evaluation of profitability and

assortment fit of brands.

* Optimized benefits received from sourcing company while

also negotiating contract at 15% (as most contracts

negotiated at 20%-25%); built relationship with company by

inviting head of organization to US to develop performance

improvement strategy in exchange for projections committed

for 3-5 years.

LIMITED BRANDS ... Columbus, Ohio

1987 to 1997

Includes experiences at VSS and Mast as both totally owned

subsidiaries of The Limited.

Sr. Director, Product Design, Development and Sourcing

Victoria's Secret Stores

(1994 - 1997)

Key founder and facilitator of in-house product development,

design and sourcing team for retail stores focusing on

sleepwear, daywear, bras and panties for retail stores

(total sales volume exceeded $1.5 billion).

Vice President-Product Development

Limited Stores

(1992 - 1994)

Youngest Vice President in history of organization; led

product development team responsible for concept, production

and import of diverse, upscale product line of sweaters, cut

and sewn tops and bottoms, woven tops and bottoms exceeding

$130 million; oversaw 8 direct reports. Traveled extensively

to Asia, Europe, Israel, Sri Lanka, and Singapore.

Director/Product Development, Knitwear

Limited Stores Division

(1990 - 1992)

Senior Product Manager, Forenza Cut and Sew

Limited Stores Division

(1988 - 1990)

Product Manager, Krizia Sweaters

Limited Stores Division

(1987 - 1988).

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EDUCATION

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SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ... Syracuse, New York

Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Management

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