About me
I’m currently working for the 'Best department store in the world', Selfridges; overseeing visually one of its stores, making it as engaging and creative as possible. Previously I was part of the Harrods Windows Team during which time we won 3 prestigious titles at the VM Awards and I was on this team after being headhunted. Years of artistic education developed a natural finesse for colour, layout and composition, which are invaluable in designing and styling. Whilst my concept planning experience; such as designing an exhibit for Harvey Nichols and winning a window design competition whilst freelance, enabled me to develop a variety of valuable transferable skills, from planning to sourcing.
Work history
Creative Store Presentation Assistant ManagerSelfridges
Full Time
• Create and execute a revolutionary retail environment that aims to surprise, amaze and amuse our customers.
• Leading and coaching a team of 5 VM’s.
• Managing creative projects; seasonal, trend, scheme, store interiors, brand launches and events.
• Deliver commercial solutions for product presentation and events in a creative environment, working closely with retail operation functions.
• Problem solving and working to short deadlines in a reactive environment.
• Building relationships with internal functions and key contacts and suppliers.
• Accountable for working to budget, which was strictly managed, creatively working with small budgets when necessary.
• Ensuring consistency of store layout, branding and ticketing.
Senior Visual Merchandiser Creative Project Manager Stylist Window DesignerHarrods
- Full Time
• Window creative direction, coming up with concepts and designs.
• Largely responsible for some of the most successful campaigns in which we received outstanding praise or awards, such as ‘Stealing Beauty’, both interior designed ‘Harrods is Home, Christmas window and LFW ‘Divine Inspiration’.
• Project Managing up to 30 multiple overarching window installations and de-rigs, to strict Marketing calendar deadlines.
• Lead in presenting ideas in technical drawings, visuals and mood boards to management and luxury clients, negotiating and influencing results.
• Dressed windows to theme; styling in product from across the whole store. Aiming to surprise customers, advertise and ultimately maximize sales.
• Communication: liaising with several production companies, brands and external suppliers, as well as leading and delegating tasks to the Visual and Production team.
• Budget management; getting competitive quotes, but also being resourceful.
• Choosing/designing mannequins, selecting hair/makeup and styling all fashion.
• Other; floristry design, sourcing and prop making.
• Co-ordinate logistics on samples and props; I digitised the files.
• Ensuring both Harrods internal and legal requirements are fulfilled.
• Site surveying and problem solving as to how an installation will work.
• Creating guidance packs on schemes; access, samples, technology, etc.
• Responsible managing all long-term contracted windows.
• Worked with Buyers, PR, Marketing, Media and Retail Operations.
+ Show more
Skills
- Fashion
- Events
- Visual Arts
- Art Direction
- Design
- Indesign
- Photoshop
- Powerpoint
- Word
- Visual Merchandising Management
- Window Design
- Visual Merchandising Solutions
- Visual Merchandising 6+ Years
- Styling
- Set Design
Awards
Best Independent Windows
Visual Merchandising Awards - Stealing Beauty
Best Christmas Windows
Visual Merchandising Awards for the Harrods Express
+ Show more