Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline

Donald Ah Sue

New York,New York

Summary

Results-oriented creative professional with a strong background in team leadership, budget management, and audience engagement strategies. Demonstrated success in creating visually appealing windows and interiors, designing impactful Pop Up experiences, and executing successful event planning initiatives that enhance brand visibility and drive revenue growth. Possesses a keen eye for detail and a nuanced understanding of brand voice and messaging, ensuring consistent and compelling communication across all channels.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Director of Visual Merchandising

Gap
09.2021 - 09.2024
  • Worked with a team of 20 to Produce Standards and Creative for all Aspects of in store experience.
  • Managed mannequin styling, ensuring alignment with current fashion trends and company branding guidelines.
  • Trained and supervised junior team members in visual merchandising techniques for consistent brand presentation across the store.
  • Revamped store layout to improve customer flow and overall shopping experience, resulting in better customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
  • Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
  • Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products, meeting deadlines and budgets.
  • Grew talent pool by actively recruiting top-tier candidates from diverse backgrounds while implementing robust training programs for skill development across all levels of staff members.
  • Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.

Senior Director, Global Visual Creative

Tory Burch
01.2020 - 12.2021
  • Developed comprehensive Creative visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations.
  • Developed seasonal concepts for window displays and Pop Up Spaces, capturing audience attention while showcasing key products effectively.
  • Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members on all Creative Windows and Pop Ups.
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
  • Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities in Global Markets.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products, meeting deadlines and budgets.
  • Led projects to boost sales productivity using change methodologies to increase sales revenue 5% and sales productivity by 10 %.
  • Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.

Senior Director of Visual Merchandising

Alexander Wang Inc.
03.2018 - 01.2020
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
  • Set and administered $ 1.5M yearly budget with no overages.
  • Directed design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive performance, profit optimization and growth opportunities.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
  • Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products, meeting deadlines and budgets.
  • Prioritized and allocated valuable resources to meet business targets.
  • Developed comprehensive visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations.

Director of Visual Merchandising NA,Mexico

Celine, LVMH
08.2015 - 03.2018
  • Increased overall aesthetic appeal of store displays by incorporating current trends and consumer preferences.
  • Stayed abreast of industry trends and competitor activities, making strategic adjustments to visual merchandising plans as needed.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop cohesive branding strategies for a unified in-store experience.
  • Facilitated the successful expansion of the brand into new markets by ensuring that local store designs aligned with global visual merchandising standards.
  • Managed budgets for visual merchandising projects, ensuring maximum return on investment without compromising brand image or quality standards.
  • Coordinated with marketing teams to align promotional campaigns with in-store visual messaging for optimal impact on customer engagement and sales.
  • Provided ongoing support to retail partners through frequent visits, sharing best practices, and addressing any concerns regarding visual presentation requirements.
  • Oversaw visual merchandising for new store openings and store collateral change-outs.
  • Played an integral role in new product launches by designing eye-catching promotional materials and display arrangements.
  • Managed merchandising standards and maintained consistency across distribution channels.
  • Communicated visual merchandising information and standards via in-store training and regular meetings.
  • Developed comprehensive visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations in North America

Regional Visual Director West Coast

Barneys New York
09.1997 - 04.2015
  • Developed comprehensive visual merchandising guidelines to ensure consistency across all store locations for Barneys New York Flagships, Outlet, and Co-Op stores across the West Coast.
  • Managed and Developed Budget for the Beverly Hills flagship which was a $200M Store and second highest flagship in the company.
  • Achieved brand recognition by spearheading development and implementation of new marketing materials and Creative Elements that translated into Social media moments.
  • Maintained open lines of communication with store managers and staff, ensuring successful implementation of visual guidelines and strategies.
  • Created and executed plans for special sales events and trunk shows.
  • Improved market positioning and increased revenue with fresh and modern approaches.
  • Managed budgets for visual display projects, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising design quality.
  • Supervised installation of custom fixtures and signage within retail spaces to enhance product presentation opportunities.
  • Enhanced brand visibility by conceptualizing and executing creative visual displays in store windows and on sales floors.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable pricing for materials and services required for visual display initiatives.
  • Evaluated store layouts for optimal product placement opportunities, enhancing customer flow and promoting increased interaction with merchandise displays.
  • Developed seasonal concepts for window displays, capturing audience attention while showcasing key products effectively.
  • Analyzed consumer trends and competitor strategies, informing the development of compelling visual presentations that stood out in the market.
  • Worked closely with branding teams to ensure all visuals aligned with company values, mission statements, and target demographics.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to establish visual style for each season.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to execute large-scale events or promotions, ensuring timely completion while adhering to budget constraints.
  • Established consistent visual standards across multiple locations, creating a cohesive brand identity that resonated with customers.
  • Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
  • Developed themes, props and lighting for merchandise displays.
  • Presented store update suggestions and layouts to management and stakeholders.
  • Proposed new ideas and concepts to enhance merchandise displays.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Art History

Palomar College, San Marcos, CA
09.2024 - 6 1990

Some College (No Degree) - Fashion Merchandising

Otis College of Art And Design, Los Angeles, CA
06.2012 - 10 2012

Skills

  • Collaborative Leadership
  • Culture Transformation
  • Team Management
  • Policy Development
  • Team Building and Motivation
  • Organizational Development
  • Market understanding
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Budget Management
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Creative Project Planning

Timeline

Palomar College - Some College (No Degree), Art History
09.2024 - 6 1990
Senior Director of Visual Merchandising - Gap
09.2021 - 09.2024
Senior Director, Global Visual Creative - Tory Burch
01.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Director of Visual Merchandising - Alexander Wang Inc.
03.2018 - 01.2020
Director of Visual Merchandising NA,Mexico - Celine, LVMH
08.2015 - 03.2018
Otis College of Art And Design - Some College (No Degree), Fashion Merchandising
06.2012 - 10 2012
Regional Visual Director West Coast - Barneys New York
09.1997 - 04.2015
Donald Ah Sue