PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE
Innovative and result-driven leader with a proven track record of developing creative strategies that align with business objectives and drive growth. Brings a unique background across department stores, specialty brands, and omni-channel retail. Deep expertise in design, marketing, merchandising, and brand storytelling. Known for building strong relationships internally and externally—with service providers and partners. Combines a sharp aesthetic eye with a commercial mindset, delivering customer-centric design and product development rooted in market and trend analysis. Adept at translating insights into compelling narratives and experiences across physical and digital platforms. A transformational leader who drives change, aligns resources, increases efficiency, and enhances stakeholder value. Recognized for building and leading high-performing teams in fast-paced, dynamic environments through personal development and coaching.
____________________________________
HIGHLIGHTED ACOMPLISHMENTS
Directed seasonal creative vision and multi-category assortment strategies across multiple brands.
Translated customer insights into product narratives across digital and physical platforms.
Integrated trend analysis, customer data, and storytelling into product launches and campaigns.
Led creative strategy development and execution for $1B+ customer-facing organizations.
Implemented AI tools to accelerate the design and creative process, reducing overall cost, timelines across all marketing and digital channels.
Streamlined creative workflows by developing systems to boost output without sacrificing quality.
Built scalable product and service lifecycle frameworks with clearly defined milestones.
Led operational transformations that delivered long-term EBITDA growth and efficiency gains.
Identified and onboarded strategic partners to accelerate innovation and drive business results.
Developed and led high-performing teams through talent assessment and succession management.
_______________________________
VP DESIGN
$1B+ Multi Branded Lifestyle Retailer | Oversee 12 different brands
FULLBEAUTY BRANDS
APR 2023 - APR 2025
NEW YORK, NY
Executive leader overseeing design direction, brand identity, and creative strategy across a portfolio of inclusive fashion and lifestyle brands. Overseeing of 12 uniquely different brands. Report directly to the CEO and serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to company-wide strategic initiatives. Promoted through four roles—from Senior Designer to VP Design—between 2016 and 2025.
Directed a cross-functional team spanning design, trend, and product development to deliver brand-right assortments that drove year-over-year sales growth.
Developed and executed transformational creative strategies, resulting in increased customer engagement and stronger brand differentiation.
Partnered with marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce to create cohesive customer experiences across digital and physical channels.
Introduced scalable design processes and innovation tools, including AI integration, to accelerate execution and reduce operating costs.
Played a central role in aligning creative vision with business goals, ensuring consistent storytelling, operational efficiency, and market relevance across all brands.
_______________________________
HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR DESIGN DIRECTOR
FULLBEAUTY BRANDS
APR 2023 - APR 2025
NEW YORK, NY
_______________________________
DESIGN DIRECTOR
FULLBEAUTY BRANDS
JAN 2019 - APR 2023
NEW YORK, NY
_______________________________
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER / FOUNDER
VOID OF COLOR
MAR 2018 - PRESENT
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
DESIGN DIRECTOR
MAR 2017 - MAR 2018
SENIOR DESIGNER
FULLBEAUTY BRANDS
MAR 2016 - MAR 2017
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
HEAD OF DESIGN
NAKED BRAND GROUP
JUN 2014 - OCT 2015
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
SENIOR DESIGNER / CREATIVE DESIGN MANAGER
INTERNATIONAL INTIMATES INC.
JUN 2013 - APR 2014
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
DESIGNER
CAROL HOCHMAN DESIGN GROUP
Oscar de la Ranta
AUG 2008 - JUN 2013
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
FREELANCE DESIGNER
TOULA MANUFACTURING LTD INC.
NOV 2008 - OCT 2010
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
FREELANCE ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
JILLIAN LEWIS INC.
MAY 2007 - APR 2008
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
WORTH NEW YORK
NOV 2006 - MAY 2007
NEW YORK, NY
_________________________________
CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Branding & Business Acumen
Brand Identity Development & Management
Creative Direction & Concept Development
Elevating Customer Experience
Design Innovation & Product Development
Campaign Execution Across Digital & Physical Channels
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
Market Intelligence & Trend Forecasting
Operational Efficiency & Process Optimization
_________________________________
TECHNICAL SKILLS
DESIGN SOFTWARE
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop / Illustrator / InDesign), Optitex (2D / 3D CAD CAM), NedGraphics, Procreate, Canva, Keynote
PRODUCTIVITY & WORKFLOW
Microsoft Office Suite (Word / Excel / PowerPoint / Outlook), PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter
AI TOOLS
ChatGPT, Sora, Tolstoy, MidJourney, Raspberry AI)
_________________________________
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Fashion Design | Intimates Specialization
· · ·
Associate in Applied Science
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Fashion Design Major | Contemporary Tailored Specialization
_________________________________
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Traveled to 11 countries and lived in 4, bringing a culturally informed perspective to design and branding. Native Japanese speaker with professional experience in both Japan and the U.S; holds US Citizenship.
References available upon request