SILVIA PRADA
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Creative Director and Strategist specializing in visual narratives and brand storytelling. Expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams and shaping integrated creative strategies that connect culture and commerce. Proven success in developing compelling narratives across luxury sectors and collaborating with top-tier creative talent.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Concept Partner, Design Studio
Kate Spade New York
03.2020 - Current
- Lead creative vision and concept development for Kate Spade New York's Design Studio, shaping seasonal narratives and visual storytelling across product, editorial, licensing, and consumer experiences.
- Lead long-range trend forecasting and cultural research initiatives that inform seasonal creative direction across the business.
- Develop creative concepts and image direction from inception through execution, ensuring consistency across consumer touchpoints.
- Commission photographers, artists, illustrators, and creative collaborators to produce original visual content aligned with the brand vision.
- Create storytelling frameworks, visual research, and concept presentations that guide crossfunctional teams.
- Shape brand narratives across multiple product categories, connecting culture, design, and commerce.
- Partner with executive leadership, merchandising, marketing, licensing, and design teams to develop integrated creative strategies.
- Lead concept development for fragrance and lifestyle licensing initiatives.
- Scout emerging creative talent, cultural movements, and visual trends to maintain brand relevance and innovation.
- Champion a concept-to-consumer creative process that ensures cohesive and meaningful brand experiences.
Image Director
The New Playgirl
01.2020 - 04.2022
- Directed visual identity and image strategy for the relaunch of The New Playgirl, establishing a distinctive editorial voice across print and digital platforms.
- Defined and evolved the publication's visual language across covers, editorial features, and digital content.
- Commissioned photographers, artists, and creative contributors to produce original editorial content.
- Directed photography, image selection, and visual storytelling for print and digital publishing.
- Developed editorial concepts and narratives inspired by contemporary culture, fashion, art, and design.
- Collaborated with editors, writers, stylists, and photographers from concept through publication.
- Oversaw image production and visual curation to create a recognizable and culturally relevant editorial identity.
Image & Fashion Director
Ponytail Magazine
04.2016 - 08.2021
- Led visual direction and editorial concept development for an internationally recognized independent fashion publication.
- Directed editorial fashion stories from concept through final production.
- Commissioned and managed multidisciplinary creative teams including photographers, stylists, models, hair and makeup artists, and set designers.
- Identified emerging talent and cultivated collaborations that strengthened the magazine's visual identity.
- Developed mood boards, visual research, casting direction, and storytelling frameworks.
- Produced culturally relevant fashion narratives rooted in contemporary art, design, and culture.
- Built a global network of creative collaborators across fashion and publishing.
- An internationally recognized independent fashion publication
Faculty, Fashion & Culture
The New School
10.2018 - 09.2020
- Designed and taught courses exploring visual storytelling, concept development, culture, and fashion.
- Mentored emerging creative professionals in research, ideation, and narrative development.
- Connected academic theory with industry practice across luxury fashion, publishing, and imagemaking.
Cultural Strategy & Creative Partnerships
Mulberry
10.2018 - 01.2020
- Developed cultural initiatives and creative partnerships that reinforced brand relevance and cultural positioning.
- Collaborated with artists, designers, institutions, and cultural organizations on strategic programs and activations.
- Advised on creative strategy and cultural programming informed by emerging cultural movements.
Cultural Strategy & Digital Consultant
Eytys
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Developed culturally driven digital strategies and content initiatives.
- Identified emerging creative voices and collaborators to strengthen brand storytelling.
- Created digital narratives that connected culture, creativity, and commerce.
Cultural Strategy & Creative Direction
WWD
10.2017 - 01.2018
- Led creative direction for editorial and multimedia storytelling initiatives.
- Produced photography, video, and digital content that translated cultural insight into engaging editorial experiences.
- Collaborated with editors and creative teams to expand audience engagement and reinforce editorial identity.
Concept Development
Baron & Baron
09.2017 - 01.2018
- Developed integrated creative concepts and visual narratives for global luxury brands.
- Created storytelling frameworks, visual research, and presentation materials across campaign platforms.
- Identified emerging cultural movements and creative talent to inform campaign innovation.
Concept & Design Manager, Design Studio
Coach
11.2015 - 01.2017
- Developed seasonal concepts, narratives, and visual direction for product and brand storytelling.
- Led trend research, mood boards, color stories, and concept presentations.
- Translated cultural and consumer insights into forward-looking creative strategies.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to align creative direction across categories.
Education
M.A. - Interdisciplinary Studies in Design and Communication
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
DCA - Visual Arts
Kunsthochschule Kassel
B.F.A. - Fine Arts
University of Salamanca
Skills
- Creative Leadership
- Image Direction
- Creative Direction
- Art Direction
- Concept Development
- Editorial Development
- Visual Storytelling
- Cultural Strategy
- Trend Forecasting
- Consumer Insights
- Brand Strategy
- Creative Partnerships
- Editorial Direction
- Photography Commissioning
- Content Development
- Luxury Publishing
- Book Concepts
- Creative Talent Management
- Photoshoot Direction
- Visual Research
- Campaign Development
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Presentation Development
- Adobe Photoshop
Tools Languages
Adobe Photoshop, English, Spanish, German
Core Expertise
Image Direction, Creative Direction, Art Direction, Concept Development, Editorial Development, Visual Storytelling, Cultural Strategy, Trend Forecasting, Consumer Insights, Brand Strategy, Creative Partnerships, Editorial Direction, Photography Commissioning, Content Development, Luxury Publishing, Book Concepts, Creative Talent Management, Photoshoot Direction, Visual Research, Campaign Development, Cross-Functional Leadership, Presentation Development
Earlier Experience
- Creative Programming & Cultural Strategy - Lladró
- Creative Director - Art for AIDS International
- Brand Strategy & Cultural Innovation - Camper
- Faculty, Fashion & Culture - IED Istituto Europeo di Design
- Freelance Art Director - Nike
Timeline
Senior Concept Partner, Design Studio
Kate Spade New York
03.2020 - Current
Image Director
The New Playgirl
01.2020 - 04.2022
Faculty, Fashion & Culture
The New School
10.2018 - 09.2020
Cultural Strategy & Creative Partnerships
Mulberry
10.2018 - 01.2020
Cultural Strategy & Digital Consultant
Eytys
05.2018 - 07.2018
Cultural Strategy & Creative Direction
WWD
10.2017 - 01.2018
Concept Development
Baron & Baron
09.2017 - 01.2018
Image & Fashion Director
Ponytail Magazine
04.2016 - 08.2021
Concept & Design Manager, Design Studio
Coach
11.2015 - 01.2017
M.A. - Interdisciplinary Studies in Design and Communication
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
DCA - Visual Arts
Kunsthochschule Kassel
B.F.A. - Fine Arts
University of Salamanca