Global Product & Design Director - LK BENNETT
(2021-01)
Accountable for £45m global product portfolio across 700 SKUs spanning RTW, footwear, bags and accessories. Led cross functional Buying, Design, Technical, PR and digital creative teams, delivering collections aligned to brand vision, margin and timeline targets. Member of executive leadership team delivering post-COVID CVA restructuring of retail store portfolio. Partnered with Creative Director to define product and price architecture and align sourcing strategy.
- Delivered £4m profit for LK Bennett in 2023 through product strategy, sourcing, range architecture and margin optimisation
- Managed £45m global product portfolio across RTW, footwear, bags and accessories at LK Bennett
- Developed strategic brand collaborations across sleepwear, bridal, jewellery and lifestyle categories including Royal Ascot and The National Gallery
- Developed five seasonal Royal Ascot collections across RTW, footwear and accessories
- Expanded US wholesale distribution through Nordstrom and independent retailers and the Asia expansion of independent standalone stores through franchise deal with our owner
- Led product strategy resulting in Drapers Best Footwear Brand 2022
- Led organisational restructures across buying, design and technical teams to support evolving business strategy
- Directed brand sustainability strategy achieving Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark certification (2023)
- Introduced rental and thrift initiatives and currently launching a pre-loved resale platform
- Led external PR campaigns, press events and brand activations including Royal Ascot partnership week
Director of Buying & Design RTW/Shoes - LK BENNETT
(2020-01 - 2021-01)
- Unified design + buying functions for a more streamlined product approach, ensuring increased customer satisfaction
- Improved margins through supplier sourcing and cost negotiations
Head of Buying & Design RTW - LK BENNETT
(2018-11 - 2021-01)
- Modernised product strategy, improving range consistency and commerciality
- Implemented efficient critical paths to enhance speed to market through sourcing and supplier mix
Head of Buying RTW - LK BENNETT
(2018-02 - 2018-10)
- Led buying across core categories, improving sell-through and OTB performance
Buying Manager- Womenswear - Hobbs
(2013-01 - 2018-12)
Contemporary womenswear brand with UK retail and international wholesale presence.
- Managed £60m RTW category across 600+ SKUs
- Led 15-person buying team
- Partnered with Creative Director and merchandising to deliver commercially successful ranges within margin targets
- Launched NEXT concession partnership generating £500k in Year 1, growing to £1m in Year 2
- Developed Bloomingdale's US collections supporting Hobbs' US expansion
- Led European wholesale expansion presenting collections in Düsseldorf
- Strong performance led to the sale of Hobbs to a Private Equity company, Foschini Group
Senior Buyer - Debenhams
(2012-01 - 2013-12)
- Established the Designers at Debenhams "Edition" concept department
- Led commercial partnerships with leading designers including Jonathan Saunders, Preen, Roksanda Ilincic and Marios Schwab
- Collaborated with designers to translate runway vision into commercial capsule collections
- Attended London Fashion Week shows to manage brand relationships
Senior Buyer Women's RTW - Jaeger
(2006-01 - 2012-12)
Senior leader within the RTW Buying team to success, responsible for 65% of Jaeger's turnover each year and the most profitable part of the business (70m turnover)
- Led the buying team that curated the Jaeger London Collection and was shown at London Fashion week at Somerset House over 4 seasons
- Travelled globally to negotiate with suppliers and developed huge knowledge of manufacturing capabilities and supplier relations
Assistant Buyer Women's RTW - Debenhams
(2002-01 - 2006-12)
Exposed to a fast-paced environment.
- Bought and delivered multi-product across eveningwear, casual and workwear categories (300 SKUs)
