Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Industry Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Stephen Fallon

Boston,Ma

Summary

Respected senior footwear executive with extensive global experience leading operations, design,

development, sourcing, and management for a diverse range of brands and divisions from

private label through high-end fashion brands.

Passionate about mentoring teams and translating trends into successful product launches, ensuring market-leading designs and client satisfaction.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Vice President of Design, Sourcing, Merchandising

Eastmont Shoes ltd.
New York City, Ma
01.2015 - Current
  • Responsible for all product development, design, sourcing, and growth strategies for branded and private label products for department stores, mid tier chain stores and private label accounts in all aspects of footwear (women's, men's, children's)
  • Instrumental in bringing in new clients in both branded and retail markets, resulting in a 25-million-dollar 1st and 2nd-year growth in the overall business.
  • Created and developed four brand names for a direct-to-retail business strategy.
  • Developed and maintained a new factory base to assist in new client needs based on P&D and costing structure. Grew our factory base diversity by 50 % outside of China for more stability.
  • Increased the leather footwear division factory base and orders by 50 % 1st 2 yrs. Pivoted our design to a more impressive 65% growth in the sneaker athleisure category, based on emerging trends.
  • Drove revenue by cultivating successful client relations.
  • Well-versed in factory sourcing in China, Asia, and other emerging markets.
  • Founder/Creative director for Kate Sinclair shoe brand/Manhattan Beach Footwear.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans to achieve company objectives, especially navigating the COVID era and business fluctuations.

Vice President of Design and Development

Foremost Footwear LLC
Needham, Ma
01.2012 - 12.2014
  • Responsible for all product development, design, sourcing, and growth strategies for branded and private label product for department stores, mid-tier chain stores, and private label accounts in all aspects of footwear (women's, men's, children's)
  • Worked directly with Chinese partners in diversifying our sourcing and factory base and implemented sample room management techniques and timelines to maximize sampling capabilities.
  • Key involvement in sales for private label and brands that led to a 50 million dollar overall multiyear growth.
  • Built and maintained an extensive material and component library that was instrumental in above growth due to customer interaction.

Senior Director of Product Development

Caleres: Caleres Franco Sarto /Specialty/License division
New York, NY
01.2007 - 12.2012
  • Creative design director for multi brand licensee division, which included chain store brands such as Dana Buchman and Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohl's and Studio Paolo for JC Penney.
  • Extensive hands-on interaction with overseas agents and factories to expedite execution of product, pricing and sourcing, including frequent trips to China office and factories.
  • Manage and interact with a team of direct reports (over 8) designers and product design groups from various customers.
  • Key involvement with the implantation of PLM software and SAP supply chain management on a company wide level.
  • Responsible for translating in-depth knowledge of fashion and trends into volume mass-market footwear.
  • Interact with wide source of suppliers to insure trend right product, materials, and quality level.
  • Insure fit, comfort and technical standards are met throughout the branded tiers.
  • Responsible for companywide record-setting 88-million-dollar sales year with a gross profit of 17 million due to collaboration with sales/product initiative.
  • Designer/Line Builder of 'Daisy Fuentes' label licensed to Kohl's department stores.
  • Create and implement 6 seasonal collections a year.

Branded Designer

Bennett Footwear Group
Newton, MA
01.1995 - 12.2001
  • Designed and built a fashion junior label tailored toward the middle tier department store level such as Kohl's, Sears, JC Penney, and Mervyn's.
  • Worked closely with License's agent on identifying key trends for the label.
  • Created and interpreted designs and concepts into a discount and middle tier line for the private label market.
  • Worked closely with salesmen to build the desired product for key accounts.
  • Sourced and developed all materials and components used for division.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice

Northeastern University
Boston, MA
06-1990

Skills

  • Material knowledge and development
  • Footwear design, fit, and manufacturing
  • Last development, fitting, and corrections
  • PLM and SAP management
  • Effective communication skills
  • Multitasking abilities
  • Global sourcing experience
  • Trend analysis and research
  • Supplier relationship management
  • Vendor contacts and negotiations
  • Footwear market insights
  • Merchandising strategies
  • Sales collaboration techniques
  • Product launch execution
  • Shoe costing expertise
  • Leadership and management skills
  • Mentoring capabilities
  • Strong creative vision

Accomplishments

  • Had companywide record-setting sales of 88 million while at Caleres due to product and sales collaboration in a new family discount chain division I established.
  • Collaborated with JCPenney and launched a fashion-focused Italian-influenced brand, 'Studio Paolo,' which was very successful at a store level for multiple seasons.
  • Led the rebranding and relaunch of Nickels brand at all doors for Macy's.
  • Responsible for the 1st million pair pump design for Payless shoe source while at Bennett Footwear.
  • Responsible for a 65 % growth in revenue covid and a post covid climate by creating and maintaing a sneaker division

Industry Skills

  • Extensive leather and synthetic material knowledge.
  • Vast knowledge of shoemaking, last corrections, fit and components.
  • PLM/SAP software management.
  • Excellent communication and multitasking skills.
  • Broad international travel experience and sourcing skills.
  • Extensive background in trends, research, material development related to footwear.
  • Well established relationships and contacts with suppliers and vendors and factories in the footwear market and sourced countries.
  • Extensive merchandising and sales collaboration skills with a focus on product launches.
  • Expert shoe costing skills.
  • Excellent management and mentor skills.

Certification

  • Harvard Business school Organization leadership course certificate
  • Honored listee of Marquis Who's who industry leaders

Timeline

Vice President of Design, Sourcing, Merchandising

Eastmont Shoes ltd.
01.2015 - Current

Vice President of Design and Development

Foremost Footwear LLC
01.2012 - 12.2014

Senior Director of Product Development

Caleres: Caleres Franco Sarto /Specialty/License division
01.2007 - 12.2012

Branded Designer

Bennett Footwear Group
01.1995 - 12.2001

Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice

Northeastern University

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