Nicolai Lehn
Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam
Summary
Strategic Design Director with 17 years of furniture industry expertise, driving B2B and B2C brand innovation. Proven track record of elevating brand identity through cutting-edge product design and marketing strategies. Consistently exceeds KPIs by cultivating high-performing teams and maintaining a customer-centric approach. Recognized for outstanding leadership, creative problem-solving, and operational acumen. Seeking to leverage extensive experience and passion for excellence to drive transformative design initiatives in a forward-thinking organization.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
DESIGN DIRECTOR
SAVIMEX/MOHO
HCMC, Vietnam
05.2020 - Current
- Leading the design team for MOHO brand product development.
- Managing and nurturing talent, ensuring high standards in design, quality, and excellent sales performance. Strong collaboration with marketing department and focus on source and feasibility.
FURNITURE DESIGNER, SALES & MARKETING MANAGER
TROPICDANE/DAFI/CHS
HCMC, Vietnam
08.2008 - 04.2019
- Visionary Design Executive who propelled Tropicdane/Dafi's sales from $4 million to $25 million through innovative, trend-setting furniture designs
- Spearheaded comprehensive marketing and sales strategies that resulted in a remarkable 85% increase in company revenue between 2008 and 2017
- Key achievements include:
- Developed and executed world-class furniture designs, driving market trends
- Implemented effective communication and sales support systems
- Collaborated closely with company founder and CEO, Carsten Lehn, to achieve exponential growth
- Post-acquisition continued to drive design and marketing excellence for 3 years
- Sales and marketing, design and development for clients' 2000sq ft showroom
- Produced and developed for Walmart, Target, Costco, John Lewis & Partners, Restoration Hardware RH, Buffalo Wild Wings, Smith & Hawken, Tchibo, GOIN, MBM, Crate and Barrel, Carl Hansen & Son (CHS), JYSK, ID DESIGN, ILVA
- Organised and designed trade shows, enhancing brand visibility and forging strategic long-term alliances that were key to the success
FOUNDER AND OWNER
IDHAIR & BEAUTY
Amsterdam, Holland
03.2004 - 02.2008
- Moved to Amsterdam and started my own hairdressing and massage salon, hiring two hairdressers that I trained up to meet top international styling standards
- Employed a massage therapist and receptionist and became fully booked within three months
ART DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTOR
TONI & GUY HAIR STYLING
Milan & Como, Italy
03.1998 - 01.2004
- Trained by Christian Mascolo, son of the founder of Toni & Guy, the most successful hairdressing chain and franchise in the world even today
- I became one of the world's top hairstylists at the time, working under Sergio Carlucci and Fabrizio Palmieri
- Hollywood Blockbuster on set: SPY GAME with Brad Pitt
- Fashion shows Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Chanel, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, John Charles Galliano, Christian Dior
- Magazines Playboy, Vogue, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, FHM
Education
Qualified Art Director - Milan - Taught by Christian Mascollo
Toni & Guy
Master Degree - Budapest - Taught by Kri-San Yozur, Trevor Sorbie, Vidal Sassoon
Hairdressing
Northwestern Lehigh High School -
Pennsylvania, USAIce Hockey Camp -
The Golden Bears
CanadaMiddle and High Schools
Bangkok, ThailandRudolf Steiner School
Odense, DenmarkHammerum & Nordfyns Boarding School
Skills
- Innovative Leader driving global market trends
- Strong team supervision
- Creative Product Design Development
- Workflow Management
- Presentation Skills
- Interdepartmental and team collaboration
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Word/Excel, WIX, Adobe Photoshop and AI, Cubase, AutoDesk, Umake
References
- Carsten Lehn, Founder & CEO, TROPICDANE
- Lars Bensten, Director, DAFI
- John Langer, AMERICAN EXPRESS Asia Pacific
- Stepen Ball, Senior Partner, SQUIRE Patton Boggs
- Lim Hong Jin, General Director, SAVIMEX/MOHO
Hobbies and Interests
- Home music studio production
- Ball Hockey
- Tennis
- Golf
- Art Collector
Languages
- English, C2 Proficient
- German, A2 Elementary
- Hungarian, B2 Upper Intermediate
- Danish, C1 Advanced
- Vietnamese, B1 Intermediate
- Italian, B2 Upper Intermediate
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 04/14/79
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
DESIGN DIRECTOR
SAVIMEX/MOHO
05.2020 - Current
FURNITURE DESIGNER, SALES & MARKETING MANAGER
TROPICDANE/DAFI/CHS
08.2008 - 04.2019
FOUNDER AND OWNER
IDHAIR & BEAUTY
03.2004 - 02.2008
ART DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTOR
TONI & GUY HAIR STYLING
03.1998 - 01.2004
Qualified Art Director - Milan - Taught by Christian Mascollo
Toni & Guy
Master Degree - Budapest - Taught by Kri-San Yozur, Trevor Sorbie, Vidal Sassoon
Hairdressing
Northwestern Lehigh High School -
Ice Hockey Camp -
The Golden Bears
Middle and High Schools
Rudolf Steiner School
Hammerum & Nordfyns Boarding School
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