Emily Gordon-Smith
Trends & Foresight Director
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About
Recognised as a trends and foresight expert with 25-plus years’ experience, Emily has delivered measurable impact for global brands including Adidas, Uniqlo, H&M, and Zara. Known for incisive interpretation of insight into commercially actionable strategies, she combines sharp creative vision with business acumen. Experienced in fashion apparel, footwear and accessories, active and lifestyle (from mass to luxury markets) as well as consumer attitude and macro driver insights, she is currently Trends & Foresight (Content) Director at Stylus.
Experience
KEY SKILLS
- Recognised expert in trends & foresight
- Proven brand strategist across global markets
- Skilled in product development from concept to launch
- Adept at interpreting insight into innovative strategies
- Experienced across APAC, EMEA, and US markets
- Expert at presenting to large audiences and at board level
- Highly effective cross-function communicator
- Excellent team management skills
- Excellent financial management skills
2016 – CURRENT
Director level role, responsible for trends and foresight content for 500+ global clients. Encompassing macro drivers of change and consumer attitude shifts through to seasonal fashion forecasts, close-to-season catwalk analysis and social trend capture, her work impacts from C-suite to design studio – with excellent validations and testimonials. Emily also delivers bespoke strategic advisory projects (to clients including Kering Group and Nike amongst others).
All work incorporates both human insight and creative thinking as well as qualitative data and analytics.
- Macro trend foresight – key drivers of change, market forces and consumer attitudes
- Seasonal fashion forecasts – works two years out on first developments
- Fashion consumer insights – regular reports include youth style IRL and active lifestyle cohorts
- Fast response close-to-season work – catwalk analysis, street style and social trends
- Category directions – from jewellery and watches to sleep, lounge and lingerie
- Advisory projects – responding to key stakeholders’ strategic briefs
- Seasonal validations – validates work in-season to support client confidence and renewals
Education
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design - BA Hons in Fashion Communications
Wimbledon School of Art – Art Foundation Diploma