CREATIVE DIRECTOR
2021-PRESENT
Accomplished Creative Director with extensive experience in driving business growth by developing unique product lines, photoshoot directives, online content, and print materials. Passionate professional with expertise in growing audiences and increasing brand awareness from the ground up. Exceptional writing, communication, design, photography, and technology skill set. Excel within fast-paced, deadline-driven environments, operating both within a team and individually. Technically astute with proficiency in Shopify.
2010 -2019
Designed and developed product for top brands’ including, Isaac Mizrahi, Rosie Pope Maternity, Pip and Vine by Rosie Pope, Rosie Pope Baby, Victoria’s Secret, Street People Atelier, Artistic Revolution in Time, Maidenform, and Uncommon Sense. Held sole responsibility for creative direction, merchandising, and styling of trade show and photo shoot sourcing.
Key Achievements:
Strategically monitored and evaluated current market trends and demands to gather inspiration for new products that align with brand messaging.
Played key role in coordinating and producing digital assets for select brands.
Spearheaded first time photo and video shoots by researching and selecting the best locations, recruiting top
photographers, hair and makeup stylists, securing props, and scheduling and overseeing all model castings.
Launched the company’s first photo library archive.
Drove ecommerce sales by overseeing content and merchandising strategies.
Increased customer engagement with creative social media initiatives including, promotions and contests.
2005 - 2009
Designed and drove the development of the Kiki de Montparnasse lingerie, lounge, ready to wear, accessories, and home collections from concept and production. Created and approved each season’s color, fabric, trim, and silhouette direction; ensured all styles were sampled in time for product launch and oversaw fittings with patternmakers, technical designers, and fit models to ensure quality and consistency.
Key Achievements:
Landed the first cover of W Magazine with own original design.
Personally sketched and designed original style chosen for the Barney’s New York catalogue.
Coordinated the successful set-up and merchandising of the company’s first flagship store; developed fashion message theme for each season and coordinated selection with window displays.
Selected to design and produce the backup dancer wardrobe for Madonna’s Vogue (Sticky & Sweet Tour).
Consistently identified strategies to improve return on investment across production and development, while
managing cost sheets and financial reports.
Envisioned each seasonal flow calendar’s product messaging and collaborated with brand manager to strategize the marketing calendar.
2000-2005
Launched successful clothing and accessory brand, Meredith Straus that gained international recognition and was sold in 100+ stores across the U.S., U.K., and Japan.
Key Achievements:
Garnered publicity across major outlets, Elle, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Lucky, The New York Times, New York Magazine, The New York Post, Women’s Wear Daily, and the WB11 News.
Pieces graced the racks of every Nordstrom in the country and was sold and featured in the windows of luxury retailors including, Bergdorf Goodman and Fred Segal.
Pursued by high-profile private clients to design and fit one-of-a-kind gowns and original pieces.
Recruited by DKNY to design “one of a kind” handbags for their private label.
Additional Experience: Textile Designer at Calvin Klein
*references available upon request
Strategic Design and Development
Crew Sourcing and Contracting
Financial Oversight
Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
Pre and Post-Production Management
Calendar Strategy and Management
Fashion Styling
Project Management
Brand Messaging
Photo Shoot Best Practices
EDUCATION
AAS – Fashion Design
Parson’s School Design, New York, New York
Bachelor of Science – Studio Art
New York University, New York, New York
Studied Studio Art and History
Parson’s School of Design, Paris, France