President
Sydney Easton Fashion Group
New York City
Co-founded, launched and managed all aspects of successful $10M women's better knits/sweaters business.● Customers included: Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, TJ Maxx, Stein Mart.● Identified and successfully exploited market opportunities and built brand awareness.● Established agile, market-leading, short-lead design/proto./approval/production cycle.● Drove consecutive 200% growth for first 3 years.● Maintained high gross margins and operational efficiency.● Full P&L responsibility including: cashflow, pricing, order approval, business financing, LCs.● Developed and directed all sales, merchandising, design, production and planning.● Managed all employees in a collaborative environment of innovation and team work.● Ensured correct operation of all ancillary systems and fronts, such as EDI-compliance, legal, accounting, IT. Designed and managed showroom and office.● Sales• Sold to all better-priced retailers including: Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and TJ Maxx, QVC, Stein Mart.• Grew account portfolio to over 300 boutiques in North America.• Collaborated with retailers to identify mutually profitable opportunities.● Merchandised• Delivered ~100 styles/season, 4x/yr on a tight production schedule with multiple sales sample lines.• Directed Design: colors, fabrics, stitch, trim.• Developed higher-price line for boutiques, specialty stores, on-line, and catalog.• Developed private-label knitwear at both volume and better price points.• Established and elevated the brands.• Scouted trends in Europe● Manufactured• Traveled to factories in China.• Forged strategic partnerships with Chinese and Bangladeshi factories for sourcing and production.• Explored direct factory relationships. Versed in end-to-end logistics.• Co-developed production tracking/management systems.