Caggie Bradford

Brand licensing executive with 20+ years leading brand and product strategy across premier fashion, value driven lifestyle, and celebrity portfolios — including licensing programs for Donna Karan International and Anne Klein, plus independent brand-building for celebrity and emerging lifestyle clients. Proven track record building category architecture and product direction for multi-brand portfolios generating $750M+ in annual retail sales, serving as the senior brand relationship holder with C-suite leadership and licensee partners, and leading, mentoring, and growing cross-functional design, merchandising, and production teams. Skilled at translating brand vision into commercially sound product strategy across apparel, accessories, home, and lifestyle categories, with deep experience managing international licensee relationships across the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Founder & Creative Director at Simonelli Group (2008-01 – Present)

• Serve as brand strategist and creative director for a portfolio of fashion, lifestyle, and startup clients, developing brand positioning, category strategy, and go-to-market plans tailored to each client's growth objectives.
• Managed vendor and distributor relationships supporting early-stage growth for client brands, including go-to-market planning for beverage startup MUZE – THC infused beverage.
• Led go-to-market and sales strategy for the U.S. launch of UK lifestyle brand BABYBLOOMS, securing retail placements with key online retailers.
• Served as brand strategist and creative director for brand collaborations with Cosmic Wire, and created and developed the full brand architecture for celebrity artist Ruby Mazur.
• Built The Oriole Mill's brand from the ground up as lead strategist — developed brand guidelines, directed website and photography art direction, and identified and secured a sales showroom. Drove direct sales into Barneys, ABC Home, Martha Stewart Marketplace, and Neiman Marcus, and led marketing efforts that earned placement in Martha Stewart Home and The New York Times.
• Advised a diverse roster of additional client brands on brand and category strategy, including Caggie&Lisa (plus-size apparel startup), HONOR, Callula Lillibelle, Urban Zen, and Wylie Willson.

Vice President, Design – Licensing at Anne Klein (2015-01 – 2019-12)

• Served as senior brand lead for the Anne Klein licensing program, owning category strategy and product direction across apparel, footwear, accessories, watches, eyewear, sunglasses, jewelry, sleepwear, luggage, fragrance, and Korea apparel for a global licensee network.
• Partnered directly with international licensees on brand fit, product direction, and category expansion, ensuring every launch stayed true to brand DNA while meeting growth goals.
• Supported global retail sales exceeding $650M annually, contributing to consistent year-over-year growth across the licensed portfolio.
• Identified and pursued new category and partnership opportunities, delivering trend-driven product recommendations through close collaboration with merchandising and marketing.

Senior Vice President, Design – Licensing at Donna Karan International (1988-01 – 2008-12)

• Owned brand and category strategy for a multi-category licensed portfolio spanning men's and women's — DKNY Jeans, DKNY/Donna Karan Intimates, DKNY Coats, DKNY Home, DKNY Swim, DKNY Kids, DKNY International Kids, DKNY/Donna Karan Hosiery, and DKNY Scarves — across the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
• Served as the senior brand relationship holder with C-suite leadership and international licensees, guiding category architecture and product direction market by market.
• Built, managed, and mentored cross-functional teams spanning design, merchandising, production, and marketing, overseeing budgets, sampling, and approvals across the portfolio.
• Contributed to brand growth to over $750M in annual sales, playing a pivotal role in international expansion and category diversification.

– Parsons School of Design

– University of Wisconsin – Madison