SARA K DENNIS
Northeast Harbor,ME
Summary
Transformational Senior Retail Executive with a strong background in Design/Product Development. Leads strategic initiatives that enhance design organizations, drive innovation, and optimize processes. History of unifying teams and refocusing brands through effective strategies and organizational restructuring. Expertise in cross-functional collaboration and brand revitalization positions brands for significant growth.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Jack Rogers LLC
Oxford Industries Inc
Atlanta, Georgia
03.2024 - 01.2026
- Developed premium product line featuring exclusive Italian items, enhancing brand status.
- Rejuvenated brand voice of iconic American Heritage Footwear brand while building a high-performing team.
- Rightsized product assortment and launched opening price point EVA Original Jack sandal.
- Revamped Girls' assortment for Spring 2026 relaunch, aligning product offerings with market trends.
- Redesigned branding elements, including packaging and website, to enhance market presence.
- Enhanced wholesale operations across department stores, specialty outlets, and independent retailers.
Senior Vice President, Design
MARQUEE BRANDS
Moorestown, New Jersey
01.2019 - 02.2022
- Revitalized design team, encouraging innovative ideas and accelerating product development.
- Achieved substantial adoption ratio improvement and reduction in over-development, resulting in streamlined processes.
- Established culture of accountability and cross-functional collaboration, driving team performance enhancements.
- Collaborated with sourcing to narrow vendor base and optimize raw material platform, improving operational efficiency.
- Facilitated seamless organizational transition during the integration with Marquee Brands, eliminating redundancies and maintaining operational efficiency.
Senior Vice President, Design
DESTINATION MATERNITY
Moorestown, New Jersey
06.2018 - 01.2019
- Empowered design team to drive innovation in previously stagnant environment.
- Strategically realigned product assortments, amplifying sales focus on Best Selling Top 30 Products.
- Orchestrated successful FY2019 launches: 3-in-1 parka, NUDES intimates program, "Shimla" fashion capsule.
- Elevated adoption ratio and streamlined processes to reduce over-development.
- Forged culture of accountability and collaboration across functions.
- Catalyzed innovation and team revival resulted in double-digit growth in key categories.
Senior Vice President, Design
LANDS' END
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
07.2012 - 01.2014
- Reversed decline in Women's business, solidifying sales in Home and Men's lines through strategic initiatives.
- Strengthened foothold in Japanese market, achieving 5% growth in Women's business with targeted marketing efforts.
- Innovatively boosted Accessories and Footwear sales by 13%.
- Spearheaded 12% growth in Kids' segment through inventive strategies.
- Achieved growth in Outerwear and Women's Swimwear by implementing targeted sales strategies.
- Orchestrated an impressive 25% increase in Whole House Sweaters sales.
- Pioneered product assortments that revitalized Women's and Kids' segments, enhancing brand appeal and customer engagement.
- Attracted new customers through innovative fashion in landmark products like the Supima Cardigan.
Consultant - Design Operations / Product Development / Talent Building
BELSTAFF
New York, New York
10.2011 - 06.2012
- Created and introduced an upscale Men's and Women's fashion collection within an ambitious 6-month timeframe.
- Successfully unveiled the collection during London Fashion Week in February 2012.
- Managed complex product development aspects, ensuring collection debut aligned with brand repositioning and vision.
- Orchestrated collaboration between Italian product developers, manufacturers, and NYC design team, streamlining design and production processes.
- Established high-caliber New York-based design team, enhancing creative capabilities and collaboration.
Consultant -VP/GMM, MIX-exclusive brand created for COLES (Australia)
NY BRAND STUDIO
New York, New York
10.2010 - 05.2011
- Orchestrated brand launch and developed team, contributing to successful market entry and establishment of Joe Mimran power brand at COLES (Australia).
- Provided creative direction to designers and merchandised product lines to align with brand vision and goals.
- Successfully designed and executed the comprehensive business infrastructure.
- Built and led a dynamic 24-member team from inception to operation.
Senior Vice President
VERA WANG GROUP
New York, New York
10.2006 - 01.2010
- Propelled brand from inception to $250M+ annual sales across 1,000 Kohl's stores.
- Directed merchandising, design, product development, and marketing efforts to enhance brand visibility and market presence.
- Built and managed successful partnership with Kohl's, leading team of 4 internal employees to achieve collaborative goals.
- Collaborated with Kohl's Product teams to streamline cross-functional processes and drive project alignment.
- Orchestrated creation of brand standards, collateral, packaging, logo, and in-store fixtures.
- Devised and executed launch campaign involving print, TV ads, new website, and media events.
VP Product Development Women's Apparel
Liz Claiborne
New York, New York
10.2003 - 02.2006
- Repositioned legacy brand and directed $650 million global design business with 75-member team.
- Developed market reclamation strategy, identifying growth opportunities and establishing product/pricing frameworks for market re-entry.
- Resolved brand fragmentation and outdated systems, streamlining operations to improve overall efficiency.
- Executed initiatives that increased market share and optimized operational processes across departments.
- Executed strategic organizational overhaul, achieving 15% reduction in corporate staffing aligned with objectives.
- Collaborated across departments to restructure organization and revitalize brand focus.
Sr. VP Calvin Klein Jeans, Underwear, Swim
Calvin Klein Inc.
New York, New York
04.1996 - 10.2003
- SVP Jeans, Underwear & Swim, 2002-2003
- Directed a $650 million global product line with a 50-member team, overseeing merchandising, design, and product development.
- Spearheaded growth of Underwear business, introducing innovative products/programs, now comprising ~40% of total revenues.
- VP Product Development Jeans, Underwear & Swim, 1998-2002
- Refocused Jeans business during challenges with US licensee, leading to increased royalties.
- Overhauled Jeans organization, optimizing merchandising, product development, and talent recruitment.
- Director Product Development, Men's Underwear / Design Director, Men's Underwear, 1996-1998
- Hired as design director and advanced to leadership roles, navigating the jeans business through 2 critical transitions.
- Orchestrated integration of 2 design teams post-sale, reducing Calvin Klein's US overhead by ~10% through strategic streamlining.
Director of Marketing
DELTA TEXTILES LTD
New York, New York
03.1995 - 03.1996
- Successfully established a multi-million revenue stream with the Gap and Banana Republic.
- Penetrated untapped markets and developed profitable business opportunities, driving revenue growth.
- Contributed to establishment of lucrative partnership with prominent retail brands by navigating challenges and leveraging market opportunities.
- Built strong working relationship with senior Gap executives, overcoming significant challenges.
Product Manager - Men's Hats, Underwear, Swimwear, and Polo Bear
POLO RALPH LAUREN LLC
New York, New York
10.1990 - 03.1995
- Drove the Underwear business to a $50 million valuation within a swift three-year period.
- Steered Polo's Underwear business to significant revenue growth through targeted strategies and market analysis.
- Orchestrated an astounding $11.9 million growth in the headwear division within 18 months.
Education
AB - ART HISTORY
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Princeton, NJ06-1987
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Merchandising Expertise
- Product Development
- Brand Management
- P&L Management
- Team Leadership
- Market Analysis
- Innovation and Creativity
- Strategic Partnerships
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Process Improvement
- Negotiation and Vendor Management
- Marketing and Promotions
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Industry Knowledge
- Licensing and Partnerships
- Trend Forecasting and Analysis
- Global Market Knowledge
- Retail Operations Management
- Supply Chain Optimization
- Visual Merchandising
- E-commerce Strategy
- Fashion Branding
- Sustainable Product Development
- Budget Forecasting and Allocation
- Strategic Pricing
- Market Expansion Strategies
- Sales and Revenue Growth
- Crisis management
- Competitive Analysis
- Consumer insights
- Project Management
- Retail analytics
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Demand forecasting
- CRM systems
- Brand development
- Team mentoring
- Quality assurance
- Product evaluation
- Vendor onboarding
- Trend analysis
- Digital strategy
- Problem solving
- Trade Show Participation
- Product launch
- Technology integration
- Data Privacy and Compliance
- Presentation and Public Speaking
Websites
Personal Information
Title: SENIOR RETAIL EXECUTIVE | SVP DESIGN | PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Languages
- French
- Italian
- German
- English, Native
- French, Fluent
- Italian, Working knowledge
- German, Working knowledge
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Jack Rogers LLC
Oxford Industries Inc
03.2024 - 01.2026
Senior Vice President, Design
MARQUEE BRANDS
01.2019 - 02.2022
Senior Vice President, Design
DESTINATION MATERNITY
06.2018 - 01.2019
Senior Vice President, Design
LANDS' END
07.2012 - 01.2014
Consultant - Design Operations / Product Development / Talent Building
BELSTAFF
10.2011 - 06.2012
Consultant -VP/GMM, MIX-exclusive brand created for COLES (Australia)
NY BRAND STUDIO
10.2010 - 05.2011
Senior Vice President
VERA WANG GROUP
10.2006 - 01.2010
VP Product Development Women's Apparel
Liz Claiborne
10.2003 - 02.2006
Sr. VP Calvin Klein Jeans, Underwear, Swim
Calvin Klein Inc.
04.1996 - 10.2003
Director of Marketing
DELTA TEXTILES LTD
03.1995 - 03.1996
Product Manager - Men's Hats, Underwear, Swimwear, and Polo Bear
POLO RALPH LAUREN LLC
10.1990 - 03.1995
AB - ART HISTORY
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY