Juliette Benn

Experience

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  QVC

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1995

  Senior Buying & Retail Coordinator-Womens Fashion. Beauty, and Accessories

  Introduced the UK market to its first Home Shopping Network, gained traction for the QVC concept in the UK by translating a successful U.S. business model to a European market. •Highlights included building QVC’s UK Accessories division to produce 11% of annual sales in the first year.

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  Miss Selfridge

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1999

  Head of Fashion Development | Head of Buying, Casual Division

  Hired to lead and grow the casual division that comprised of all casual clothing, accessories and giftingfor this high-fashion retailer•Subsequently, promoted to direct overall Fashion Trend and development for total company creating an successful in-house trend/color forecasting department for the total brand and team of 14 buyers.•Re-launched the in house color cosmetics range' Kiss & Makeup' which grew to become so popular that it was sold in stand alone boutiques and England largest stand alone pharmacy •Capitalized on an exploding color cosmetics market by creating a range of fun and playful body products, which were also sold to the same pharmacy chain as part of their body care lines. Show less

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  EXPRESS

  Mar 1999 - Aug 2017

  Design Director Footwear & Accessories/Trend & Forecasting Expert

  EXPRESS LLC - NEW YORK, NYDESIGN DIRECTOR | FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES - 1999 - 2007 | 2008 - 2017Responsible for increasing footwear revenue by $33M over five years, earning $13M in the first year through the rebranding of footwear division.Leading daily creative performance of accessories division supporting $180M business across 600stores.• Researched the current market to determine the strategic direction of nine categories.• Grew networks by attending international trade fairs and facilitating factory visits.• Created designs aligned with emerging fashion trends.• Designed and sourced both women’s & men’s accessory types.• Established men’s accessories team & division• Provided visionary direction for the dynamic design team.• Upheld quality sourcing manufacturing and raw material supplier agreements.• Optimized profit margin products to improve the bottom line.• Honored with five Brand Hero awards for consistently exceeding all financial targets.• Expanded the scope of our trend forecasting department by creating new and revamping existing processes/procedures. Show less

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  ANN TAYLOR LOFT | New York, NY (2007-2008)

  Feb 2007 - Jan 2008

  Vice President of Design, Women’s Footwear & Accessories

  Responsible for revitalizing and re-launching the accessories division to achieve yearly financial goals for both full price and outlet Expanded existing product categories including soft accessories, seasonal cold wear, sleep, and lounge categories to drive additional revenue•Addressed higher headcount requirements to meet the needs of expanding workload and departmental growth.•Responsible for the creative accessory designs and styling to meet customer profile and market trends • Oversaw development of strategies to address business and design needs.• Enhanced sales and bottom-line performance through redirecting focus on successful classes. Show less

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  Talbots Inc

  Nov 2018 - Jan 2020

  Senior Design Director Women's Footwear & Accessories

  Responsible for developing and executing creative concepts for 500 store and leading-edge marketing and web solutions. Regularly liaising with cross functional teams to ensure the best creative solutions are realized, implemented, and delivered according to the financial goals•Led all design and product development for both soft & hard accessories, footwear, body products and gifting•Maintained a competitive edge, while all the time working within the Brand DNA•Introduced new ‘must have’ creative concepts to add additional revenue to the bottom line •Drove accessory division profits, achieving over $120M annually•Mentored design teams in product development and performance management.•Positioned company for optimal growth and market share increase•Developed excellence through innovative & creative concepts across all media outlets•Led Overseas travel-trend and development trips Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jan 2020 - now

  Freelance Trend & Design Consultant