Aesthetics are my focus. I enjoy collaborating to create a beautiful product, design, image, or environment. I excel at ideation and managing creative teams.
My editorial career began at Elle Decor and House Beautiful. At O, The Oprah Magazine I worked with luxury European and American Brands. Garconiera, my clothing line launched at Saks Fifth Avenue, Harvey Nichols, and boutiques worldwide. Essence Magazine (Time Inc.) received it’s first American Society of Magazine Editors General Excellence Award nomination during my time as Fashion Director.
E-commerce, fashion, accessories, and beauty brands engage me for creative and fashion direction from ideation through final product. I conceptualize, design, and refine aesthetics, develop marketing materials alongside hiring teams.
As a stylist, I have worked with celebrities and high-profile personalities for red carpet appearances, television, editorial, and branding.
I have acted as a Brand Ambassador and host, including appearances on - Today Show, E! Entertainment, FOX, CBS, Extra, and CW.
I studied Interior Design at Parsons School of Design, The New School.
Skills include – Creative Concepts and Ideation. Interior Design. Interior and Fashion Styling. Project and People Management. Celebrity Talent Relations. Wardrobe Styling. Sustainability. Buying. Sales. Photo shoot production. Casting. Trend Forecasting. Media Trained. Brand Ambassador. Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), CAD, MS Office.
I create beauty.
Yoga, Scuba Diving, Art, Travel, Adventure, Cultures, Diversity
Self, New York, NY, US, Fashion & Creative Director/Brand Consultant
· Conceptualize and produce directional branded content for use on multiple platforms.
· Create brand books to align visuals and messaging.
· Direct art, marketing, merchandising and customer service departments.
· Produce and style photo shoots: editorial: campaign; e-commerce; celebrity, a television pilot.
· Hire freelance creatives (hair, makeup, photographers, writers, retouchers), image selection and supervise and train junior staff.
· Assign, write and top edit copy for e-commerce, mobile app, marketing and press materials.
· Collaborated with CEO to transform e-commerce site, increased traffic by 40-50%, brand awareness and revenue to achieve Series B venture capital round of 8.5million.
· Implemented diversity and cultural awareness to broaden client offerings, scale market, business offerings and press.
· Fashion direction: Development and design direction, edit collections; sample buying, trend analysis and forecasting, color and market direction for fashion, accessories and lingerie brands.
Time Inc. - Essence Magazine, New York, NY, US, Fashion Director
· Created compelling fashion editorial calendar including scouting and finalizing photo shoot locations in private homes, hotels, and restaurants.
Oversaw casting and negotiated talent with IMG and Wilhelmenia; collaborated with Creative Director to develop cover packages for celebrity agents.
· Interviewed and styled celebrities, designers, models, and professional women.
· Established corporate partnerships with business, and strengthened advertiser relationships; created presentations for use at trade shows, client appointments and as motivational tools and guidelines for staff.
· Hired and managed a team of editors, freelance stylists, and interns.
· Directed fashion editorial team and assigned news and trends stories. Coordinated fashion, accessories, and jewelry market reporting.
· Managed fashion integration between multiple editorial departments including Essence.com
· Improved and expanded relationships with luxury fashion houses and PR companies.
Photographers include: Ruven Afanador, Kwaku Alston, Yu Tsai, Antoine Verglas, Gilles Bensimon.
garconiera, New York, NY, US, Creative Director
Founder & Creative Director, January 2008 - November 2009
· Created the brand, a women's resort clothing line that launched Spring 09 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Scoop, Henri Bendel, Harvey Nichols and specialty boutiques globally. Featured in InStyle, Cosmopolitan and US Weekly.
· Responsible for: design, forecasting, sample buying, color and market direction.
· Hired sales showroom team for New York and coordinated exclusives.
· Oversaw production and fit; supervised order fulfillment.
· Engaged LA-based PR agency for celebrity seeding - Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, and Eva Longoria.
· Managed finances, reconciled and balanced accounts, recouped outstanding invoices and maintained positive vendor relationships.
Hearst, O, the Oprah Magazine, New York, NY, US, Fashion Editor
· Selected Ms. Winfrey's clothing for covers from designers and department stores.
· Handled European and American luxury fashion market requests for all fashion content.
· Styled shoots featuring “real women.”
Life & Style Magazine, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, US, Fashion Director
Fashion & Home Director, January 2005 - November 2008
· Developed templates for fashion and home content.
· Directed a diverse team of nine editors, photographers, and stylists.
· Reviewed department, implemented and streamlined processes.
· Covered fashion and home market; directed still life photography
· Conceptualized and produced stories for segments on E! Entertainment Television, NBC Today Show, WCBS, Access Hollywood and acted as the fashion spokesperson.
· Oversaw Art department staff who designed fashion and home layouts.
· Interview celebrities, designers, and stylists for fashion content.
· Direct still life photography of fashion and home product.
Media trained. Television, radio and print media experience includes - Today Show, E! Entertainment, FOX, CBS, Extra, CW, Cosmopolitan and New York Post.
Hearst | Conde Nast | Time Inc. | Meredith | Wenner Media, New York, NY, US, Fashion Editor
· Styled Frette Ad Campaign.
· Styled Philippe Starck Residential Ad Campaign.
· Styled Advertorials - Self Magazine.
· Bobbi Brown(tv pilot). Real Simple, O Magazine, O at Home, More Magazine, US Weekly.
· Styled celebrities for Golden Globes, AMA’s, performances, television, events.
· Identified & developed the personal style and wardrobes of executives and creatives.
Hearst, House Beautiful Magazine, New York, NY, US, Fashion and Beauty Editor
· Attended Salone Del Mobile and advertiser appointments with EIC.
· Covered market for fashion designer home brands, fashion and accessories, fine jewelry, and beauty.
· Produced Sergio and Luisa Lora Piana feature, Italy.
· Produced Gabby Karan feature, New York with Miguel Flores-Vianna.
· Produced Christina Aazria feature for Frette, New York with Senga Mortimer.
· Conceptualized and produced "Fashion Plates" and "Tray Chic" initiative collaborating with European and American designers to create custom designs to raise money for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Participants included Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Etro, Frette, Missoni, Christian Lacroix, Fendi, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and Carolina Herrera.
· Produced shopping stories with designers including Milly de Cabrol.
Photographers included: Simon Upton, Oberto Gili, Fernando Bengoechea, Paul Costello, Anita Calero
