Christopher-John Sumner Email & Phone Number

As Senior creative producer I oversea the management of accounts and co-ordination of everyevent design. Pitching, budgeting, planning and delivering the finished product. Working withbudgets up to £1million and managing teams of up to 20. Sourcing and working with suppliers andvendors to find the best possible products whilst constantly being budget conscious andsustainability aware. Having worked with high profile brands for over 20 years I have a clearunderstanding of brand presence and identity paired with an inspiring mind to bring imaginationto life. Currently working on events from large-scale, high-profile brand charity galas for 1250guest to luxury weddings and small intimate private parties. Highly driven and motivated by thedesign process and following through to the rewarding result I take great pride in the finer detailsthat go towards creating something a little special for our clients.

Bicester Village

Supporting the Group VM Director in production of window props and photo opportunities as wellas managing the roll out of Group projects (such as Christmas lighting). Working closely with VMteams in all 9 villages across the UK and Europe (Bicester, Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Belgium,Munich, Frankfurt and Ireland) to elevate windows, marketing campaigns and village look andfeel. Providing training for both value retail VM as well as building relationships with brands tohelp develop their own windows and in store merchandising.

Working closely with Instore VM, windows and events teams on projects varying from instoreinteriors, layouts, product display and Marketing events to bring a 360 approach to the Marketingcalendar. Acting as VM manager in Managers absence running a team of 8 VMs and stylists toensure the successful day to day running of the Creative team, constantly striving for to deliver theunexpected and elevate the customer experience. Working with top brands to bring interestingpop ups, highlighting exclusive product and niche brands. A key focus on Christmas as adestination delivering a concept from initial design to installation, making each year more magical than the previous

London, England, United Kingdom

The design and management of all window installations and shipments; maintaining supply budget. Covering the UK with a portfolio of 40 retail stores as well as all overseas franchise markets. Creating strong visually exciting schemes that are eye catching, on brand and commercially focussed. Manage the window standards, implementation and give guidance and training to in-store teams.The design and development of new store concept from shop-fit, interiors and full fixture fit out. Working closely with architects and manufactures. External suppliers, international partners and franchise to ensure projects, budgets and consistency are in place. Project manage store openings, visual projects and pop ups.Creative lead on all licensed product Responsible for Brand identity, collection look, feel and storey and packaging. Including Home, fragrance, and beauty, stationary and fresh flowers. Constantly looking to develop new product ranges and categories. Campaign and product shoots for both online and catalogue directory

London, England, United Kingdom

Responsible for and execution of the display function. Manage the critical path for windows from concept through to launch to include timescales. Make commercial decisions in harmony with brand standards. Communicate and liaise with in-house merchandising and design teams. Support with training and coaching of the UK VM team. Work with external suppliers, international partners and franchises to ensure projects, budgets and consistency is in place. Manage the window standards, implementation and give guidance to in-store teams. Oversee store opening, visual projects and sharing creative ideas on-going. Seeking out ways to move the brand forward with a luxury visual presence, market awareness and excitement.

London, United Kingdom

London Area, United Kingdom

Working with this international men’s label on a project basis, I oversaw the build and interior treatment of its first UK store from construction to completion.• Creative supervision of store environment: sole responsibility for all windows schemes, coordination of all store graphics, installation of art and photography displays throughout, merchandising product to create an interesting and commercially-sound customer environment.• Fixture and furniture production and sourcing: sourcing of vendors for manufacturing of new pieces (working closely on all design elements), working with the US-based Visual Production division on overall store layout and fixture design, coronation of international shipping of all pieces to store, and overall budget maintenance.• Store launch event: lead UK contact on all visual and production elements of the high profile Press & VIP store launch in September 2014, including external elements and the closure of London’s Conduit Street, numerous sound systems and a full same-day de-rig.• Business liaison: conduit between Retail Ops, Comms and Production teams on all visual, merchandising and stock delivery elements, devising furniture and fixture inventory, effectively managing replenishment, weekly visual updates to Head Office.

London, United Kingdom

After joining Joseph in September 2010 I was quickly promoted from Visual Merchandiser, responsible for twenty-five London outlets, to Acting Visual Merchandising Manager across all global stores. Working across this unisex brand of luxury clothing and accessories, including own bought and concession brands and a standalone restaurant, I have been responsible for the following:• Day-to-day management of VM across all UK and Paris stores, as well as overseeing- international store openings in Taipei, Moscow, Stockholm and New York.• Overseeing all in-store VM and mannequin styling, dependant on location of store and key customer base in these areas. This extends to developing and implementing VM guidelines for all stores worldwide.• Management of staff including VM Assistant and Stylist.• All window design and implementation, from initial idea to final execution, including budget management and prop sourcing.• Working closely with Press team for the dressing of allocated space for key press events each season.• Working closely with Buying teams regarding promotion of key stock, extending to CEO level for more strategic activity.• Working closely with e-Commerce and Marketing teams for the planning of an online store• Manage key marketing activity around window displays in partnership with high-profile industry figures, most recent including LOVE magazine / Katie Grand, Alexander Wang, Peter Pilotto and Giles Deacon.• Key role in styling at campaign shoots.• Work with stylists e.g. Marie-Amelie Sauve of French Vogue to raise visibility of stores during Fashion Week through particularly strong visual displays.• Management of all promotional signage from briefing to sign off.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Supervising a team of 6 – lead stylist for in-store dressings across Womenswear and Menswear categories, as well as creating and implementing displays across additional departments including Beauty, Home, Kidswear and Food.• Vital role in the store’s creative direction, creating new ideas and implementing from initial concept to execution, at all times ensuring visual theatre is created in line with the high standards of Selfridges’ brand values.• Responsible for sourcing new props and materials alongside co-ordinating the sale of these at the finale of scheme, via an online shop.• Working closely with luxury brands including Gucci, Prada, Vivienne Westwood, Dior and Jimmy Choo.• Liaison between Visual Merchandising and the in-store Marketing and PR Team, therefore responsible for arranging dressing for all Selfridges events (both in and out of store) alongside media projects, including Sunday Times Style’s Style in the City and Channel 4’s Gok’s Fashion Fix.• Mentoring of small fashion businesses within the region, implementing a ‘best practice’ VisualMerchandising scheme for the windows of Birmingham-s vintage store, Pop.• Adept at liaising with different departments and staff, from Sales Assistants through to Sales Manager and Store Director level, thus developing keen team player skills.