Katie Wells
Anthropologie
Philadelphia,PA
21
years of professional experience
Detail-oriented Visual Merchandising Manager with over 20 years of fashion industry experience. Expert in maximizing sales and elevating brands through visual merchandising presentation and store direction. Effective at utilizing strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to lead and develop teams and collaborate with cross-functional partners.
Work History
Visual Merchandising Manager
2 Years 3 Months- Oversee and create the visual merchandising directives for Division 42, Beauty, Weddings and Expanded Sizes
- Design and publish monthly global visual merchandising directives
- Collaborate with Executive team and Divisional Merchandise Managers on monthly and seasonal concepts and visual strategy
- Execute monthly prototypes at the Home Office mock store
- Provide creative inspiration to store teams through merchandising directives
- Act as a liaison between Home Office and stores when launching seasonal pop-up shops
- Support seasonal merchandising workshops and floor set updates at local flagship stores
- Assess store performance using corporate reporting tools to optimize product placement
- Mentor, coach and train store teams on corporate visual presentation standards and product knowledge
- Partner with cross-functional partners in Corporate Buying, E-Commerce, Marketing and Visual Display to ensure store presentation aligns with monthly delivery schedules, digital and in-store marketing activations and display installations
Senior Merchandising Manager
12 Years 8 Months- Ensure the accurate and efficient processing of incoming and outgoing shipments to and from the DC, store to store and clients
- Manage the daily delivery schedule and launch calendar
- Plan and place displayed product, matching item with real estate value
- Ensure top selling product is stocked at the ideal quantities and placed on prime real estate
- Evenly distribute product throughout the store to achieve balance and optimal shopability
- Creatively merchandise the product in accordance to the delivered directive
- Participate in photo sharing with the region to elevate creative merchandising in remote stores
- Position and space product using the fixtures and display apparatus to achieve optimum aesthetics
- Display product with seasonally appropriate and brand-propelling styling at top of mind
- Use mannequins to display featured items and brand-propelling outfits in the windows and throughout the store
- Ensure flawless execution of window installs six times per year
- Place merchandise display fixtures in the optimal locations to maximize the aesthetic of the space
- Use the appropriate display fixtures to highlight different types of product
- Enhance the creative aesthetic through optimal placement of store design artifacts such as plants, books, vases and statues
- Direct lighting on sales floor and in window display to ensure product is highlighted properly
- Place branded and product signage on or around the appropriate real estate to communicate brand information and product knowledge
- Validate the standards of product display across sorting, hanging, folding, sizing, detailing and stock management
- Enable seamlessly integrated cross-channel shopping experiences
- Ensure seamless operations of all aspects of the retail space across Clients, Product, Space, Risk and Operations
- Manage the day-to-day performance of the retail team in support of the business objectives, enabling progressive career development and an engaging employee experience
- Collaborate with the New Boutique Opening team on visual merchandising strategy and execution as well as onboarding, training and developing new store teams
- Merchandise collections and support PR team during press events
- Understand, apply and champion Aritzia's business and people leadership principles consistently
- Seamlessly manage and lead within the day-to-day operation of the retail business
- Work effectively with cross-functional partners in support of corporate objectives
- Possess strong business acumen and know how to make sound business decisions, leveraging an understanding of what drives business results
- Understanding of competitors and awareness of the industry to identify opportunities for continuous improvement
- Train and mentor new and existing employees to foster a positive work environment and enhance overall performance
- Gather, review and escalate client feedback to improve product assortment
Corporate Stylist Supervisor
5 Years- Produce, direct and style marketing photo shoots for the Forever 21, For Love 21 and Heritage 1981 brands every 4-6 weeks
- Conceptualize the theme, hair, makeup and lighting for all photo shoots
- Partner with the Director of Marketing to keep within budget parameters
- Cast models, talent and photographers
- Scout locations
- Source and procure props specific to the concept of each shoot
- Collaborate with the Buying Department to determine which key products to feature
- Style according to each brand's ethos
- Direct the shoots efficiently to maximize quality and volume of images
- Select images for use in-store, online and advertising
- Collaborate with the Visual Department Manager to ensure that the in-store merchandising is consistent with the marketing messaging and creative package
- Style and direct daily e-comm product photo shoots
- Style the interactive digital billboard in Times Square every season
- Hire, train and develop style assistants and interns to support the Senior Stylists and grow the creative team
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fashion trends and industry news
- Travel internationally to assist with high profile store openings, visual installations and create impactful window and mannequin displays
- Collaborate with the Visual and Interior Design Departments to create exciting and eye-catching visual displays
Education
No Degree - Dance
Skills
Product Presentation
Styling
Visual Directives
Visual Merchandising
Visual Standards
Window Displays
Mannequin Styling
New Store Openings
Special Events
Campaign Installations
Communication
Team Collaboration
Creative and Innovative
Adaptable and Flexible
Time Management
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
InDesign
Microsoft Office
Google Workspace
Timeline
Visual Merchandising Manager
Anthropologie
07.2024 - CurrentRead More
Senior Merchandising Manager
Aritzia
11.2011 - 07.2024Read More
Corporate Stylist Supervisor
Forever 21
03.2006 - 03.2011Read More
Chapman University
No Degree from Dance
Read More