Kelly Bart
Fort Myers ,FL
Summary
Creative and financially focused retail professional with 20 years’ experience in visual merchandising, concepting, storytelling, and styling. Confident, forward thinking, and exceptional ability to influence and build strong teams and relationships across the organization.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Visual Merchandising (CHICOS, WHBM, SOMA)
Chicos FAS, KnitWell Group
Fort Myers , FL
08.2021 - Current
- Creates and develops the vision for the Visual Merchandising department across Chico's FAS, encompassing three brands, five channels, and 1,300 boutiques
- Builds and leads a team of 11 top-talent individuals across Visual Merchandising, Visual Communications, and Operations
- Creates and manages the communication hierarchy roadmap to ensure it aligns with each brand's initiative
- Partners with GMM, Design, P+A, Finance, Marketing, and Creative to ensure business strategies are met through unique, brand-specific visual merchandising techniques
- Responsible for managing a $4M marketing budget and $30M CAP EX budget across Chicos, WHBM, and SOMA
- Collaborates with Store Design to align on store design concepts, materials, fixtures, mannequins, and visual elements for Chicos, WHBM, and SOMA
Brand Stylist
White House Black Market (WHBM)
Fort Myers , FL
03.2020 - 07.2021
- Led total styling direction POV for the company increasing demand by 18%
- Led cross functional alignment related to styling and product storytelling
- Served as on-set stylist for Summer and Fall 21’ campaigns
- Partnered with the Creative Director and Art Directors to create distinct brand and product assets that support our creative vision and business strategies
- Led styling and photoshoot execution to be efficient, consistent, harmonious, and inspiring
- Cultivated meaningful relationships on behalf of the brand with fashion industry partners including models, photographers, producers, hairstylists, makeup artists, stylists, etc.
Senior Visual Manager
White House Black Market (WHBM)
Fort Myers, FL
02.2017 - 07.2021
- Created, managed, and lead the implementation of the visual merchandising strategies for Frontline and Outlet Boutiques
- Directed the seasonal monthly Floorsets in Boutiques through new innovative techniques, strategies, and hindsight’s that directly impacted being flat to budget and $1M margin growth
- Responsible for managing a $1M budget and worked closely with the VP of Finance to hit quarterly expenses
- Partnered with CFT to drive +200% to FF using product placement and visual presentation strategies while sustaining the brand image
- Set visual merchandising standards for all Boutiques by developing training materials and monthly Floorset communication
- Created, sourced, and executed seasonal prop concepts for windows and in-store display to acquire new customers and drive +17% traffic results
- Concepted and developed new fixture packages, visual displays, and mannequin roll outs for all Boutiques
Regional Visual Manager
Express LLC
Columbus, OH
08.2011 - 02.2017
- Directed company visual merchandising strategies to 160+ stores encompassing two regions to drive +5% sales growth/$500M
- Oversaw successful international expansion into Canadian market that drove $1M in incremental revenue
- Coordinated the flow of communication between headquarter visual merchandising, field visual, and field leadership through weekly conference calls, touch bases, and store visits
- Managed company Floorset stores monthly visual execution, including leading executive walkthroughs
- Built brand consistency across regions by building accountability to visual merchandising tools through regional workshops and store visits
- Planned and executed new store openings and remodels across the Midwest and Upper Midwest territories resulting in a reduction of spend to payroll
- Influenced hiring decisions at the Leadership level pertaining to visual merchandising skillset – promoted 3 Brand Co’s to headquarter visual positions
Flagship Visual Manager
Old Navy
San Francisco, CA
08.2000 - 08.2011
- Achieved positive sales and profit results for the first time in the company by leading and developing visual strategies for $30M Flagship location
- Directed and executed monthly merchandise placement, window installations, and replenishment for a staff of 40+ in 90sq ft Flagship location
- Conducted store visits with CEO and Executive Leadership focusing on presentation standards, brand integrity, and identified business opportunities
- Supported Regional Visual Manger with new store openings, remodels, and training workshops in the Bay Area
- Partnered with Regional Director and District Managers to identify developmental opportunities relating to visual merchandising to build skills and capabilities
Education
Associates of the Arts - Visual Communications
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
Timeline
Director Visual Merchandising (CHICOS, WHBM, SOMA)
Chicos FAS, KnitWell Group
08.2021 - Current
Brand Stylist
White House Black Market (WHBM)
03.2020 - 07.2021
Senior Visual Manager
White House Black Market (WHBM)
02.2017 - 07.2021
Regional Visual Manager
Express LLC
08.2011 - 02.2017
Flagship Visual Manager
Old Navy
08.2000 - 08.2011
Associates of the Arts - Visual Communications
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
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