Kat Dillon Email & Phone Number

Designed maternity product under two start up labels, Two Hearts for Sears ( a leased business) and Oh Baby for Kohl's ( a wholesale business). Designed for 10 classifications of product. Managed staff of 6 people. Only division to bonus based on sales and margin goals over two years.Over 20 years of experience in start up and established brands acting as Director of Design, VP of Merchandising, and Director of Product Development. Skill sets are very translatable to other fields of business. Business driven creative thinker and designer.

Re-created the Buster Brown children's brand. Added the Mary Jane by Buster Brown label for girls. Developed Marketing tactics, business plans, sales initiatives, managed creative group of 4 to design and develop the brand look and actual product line. Executed product line and targeted mid tier market.

Directed and managed 12 + (freelance staff up to 6) of designers, associates, and assistants for Infants, Girls, and Boys under the 'Greendog' proprietary brand name.Increased brand penetration from 15 to 35%Direct for all size ranges color, trend, and productBrought cohesion to the total brand through targeted initiativesDeveloped Warm Door Strategy and product with 18-22% sell throughs.Member of the Fashion Council responsible for identifying and insuring large corportate initiatives and direction.

Developed and managed PD teams in NY and Memphis to develop proprietary Product increasing penetration of direct imports from 7 to 20%. Staff- 11 in NY and 3 in Memphis.Created in house CAD department. Grew product line in large size petites.Develop and manage time and action calender for two brands- Catherine's and Added Dimensions simultaneously.Member of the executive committee responsible for changing systems to those under the Charming Shoppe umbrella for international sourcing and internal logistics.

Directing better Private Label product for accounts like Neiman Marcus, Talbots, Saks Fifth Avenue, Brooks Brothers, etc.Managed NYO and coordinated with Boston, Cincinnati, and PA offices.Managed small design staff of 4. All fabric research and development with Asian, and European mills.Designed and launched 'Cadence' line of better/bridge sportswear.

Responsible for start up and launch of the Geoffrey Beene Sportswear Collection, sold in VH outlet stores.Designed all product with two associates.Worked directly with Mr. Beene and Alber Elbaz to create product using the Beene archives as inspiration. Responsible for getting approvals from the Beene office. Worked with merchant team to insure business goals and plans were met at profitable margin goals.

Design and Merchadising of Private Label division, The Limited Division and the licensee line, "Mirrors of Krizia'. Managed in house design team, sourcing, price negotiations with factories overseas, bulk placements, work closely with retail merchants from various retail organizations.