DEBORAH ANNE GONZALEZ
Orange County,CA
Summary
Creative, passionate, and results-driven executive with over 20 years of experience in apparel design, merchandising, and product development. Proven success in leading innovation for global lifestyle and fashion brands across men’s, women’s, and kids’ categories. Recognized for strategic thinking, brand expansion expertise, and a consumer-first approach to product creation. Adept at building and mentoring cross-functional teams, and delivering consistent market growth through purpose-led design.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Creative Director
Avenue D
Miami / NY / California
01.2020 - Current
- - Lead design, merchandising, and product development across women's, men's, kids and accessories.
- - Manage full product lifecycle from concept to launch, with a focus on consumer insight and trend relevance.
- - Drive growth through strategic brand expansion and licensing collaborations. Delivered successful product programs for:
- - Levi’s – Apparel & Accessories (Men’s/Women’s) | $65M
- - Dickies – Men’s Underwear & Lounge | $5M
- - True Religion – Men’s & Women’s Lounge/Sleepwear | $40M
- - Lucky Brand – Soft & Hard Goods | $10M
- - Lee – Women’s Lounge/Sleepwear | 2024
- - House of Harlow & Hunter – Women’s Apparel | 2025
Vice President of Product Design & Merchandising
TSC Apparel
Los Angeles, CA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- - Directed design, merchandising, and product strategy for a $300M multi-category business, applying a global design lens across all channels.
- - Led the merchandise planning and assortment strategy for over 11,000 SKUs, ensuring alignment with financial goals and consumer demand.
- - Managed a high-performing team of analysts and merchandisers, driving accountability for sell-in/sell-through KPIs across wholesale and DTC channels.
- - Delivered cohesive seasonal creative direction in partnership with sales and marketing to ensure market alignment and storytelling consistency.
- - Executed a company-wide rebrand, including fit standardization, packaging innovation, and refreshed visual identity.
- - Reduced assortment complexity and streamlined SKU productivity, contributing to 18% year-over-year growth and delivering $30M in new revenue.
Vice President of Design & Brand Development
MAD Projects (Levi’s/True Religion/Dickies/Dockers)
New York, NY
01.2013 - 01.2018
- - Directed the creative vision and end-to-end merchandising for a $600M portfolio across underwear, socks, loungewear, and activewear categories.
- - Spearheaded licensed brand programs with Levi’s, Dockers, Dickies, and True Religion, along with private label initiatives for Target and Walmart.
- - Scaled Levi’s wholesale licensing business from zero to $35M within three years.
- - Managed full product lifecycle from concept through global rollout including fit development, design direction, and photography execution.
- - Built and led high-performing cross-functional teams in design, product development, and merchandising.
- - Ensured alignment across creative, operational, and commercial teams to deliver cohesive brand and product strategy across all accounts.
Senior Director of Design & Merchandising
Peace Love World
Miami, FL
01.2009 - 01.2013
Creative Director
Keepers International (Puma/2(x)ist)
New York, NY
01.2002 - 01.2009
Skills
- Creative Direction and Brand Strategy
- Product lifecycle management
- Apparel and Accessories
- Trend and Color Forecasting
- Merchandising Strategy
- Fit, Fabric, and Construction expertise
- Seasonal Line planning and Product Roadmaps
- Product Costing and Margin optimization
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Compassionate, Creative Leadership Style
- Effective Problem Solver and Communicator
- Connects Vision to Action
- Highly organized and self-motivated
- Adaptive Under Pressure
- Mentorship & Talent Growth
- Inclusive and culturally aware perspective
Volunteer Experience
- OC Pride, Board Member, 2023
- Pelvis Awareness Project, Brand & Design Lead, 2020, Present
- WITS - Wellness in the Schools, Design Consultant, 2015, 2019
- God’s Love We Deliver, Design Consultant, 2017, 2018
- National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Committee Member / Design Consultant, 2006, 2010
- Prideline Youth Services, Board Member / Creative Director, 2004, 2006
Accomplishments
- 2(x)ist 2004 - 2009 Grew product expansion by $20M
- Peace Love World 2010 - 2013 Grew company from $700K - $12M
- Dockers 2013 - 2018 Grew product expansion by $15M
- Tultex 2018 - 2020 Grew product expansion by $35M
- Levi’s 2013 - 2025 Grew product expansion by $65M
- True Religion 2018 - 2025 product expansion by $45M
Timeline
Founder & Creative Director
Avenue D
01.2020 - Current
Vice President of Product Design & Merchandising
TSC Apparel
01.2018 - 01.2020
Vice President of Design & Brand Development
MAD Projects (Levi’s/True Religion/Dickies/Dockers)
01.2013 - 01.2018
Senior Director of Design & Merchandising
Peace Love World
01.2009 - 01.2013
Creative Director
Keepers International (Puma/2(x)ist)
01.2002 - 01.2009
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