WORK HISTORY
SLATER ZORN
2017 – PRESENT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / DESIGNER
Design and creative direction for luxury American heritage sportswear brand inspired by collegiate and sports team colors. Work on all aspects of design product development in collaboration with cashmere factories in Italy, Scotland, and New Zealand. Ideate and art direct brand identity and marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.
WALEED KHAIRZADA CONSULTING
2013 – PRESENT
FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Founder of a multi-disciplinary agency that provides creative direction, design, and strategic solutions to optimize brands’ existing and future growth opportunities. Develop high-level business strategies, initiatives, and infrastructure – both creative and logistical – in the development and expansion of brands. Partial client list:
EQUINOX
Commissioned to ideate and design all product categories for Equinox’s first Orange Label collection. Conceived, designed, and produced the luxury fitness brand’s first foray into high-technology performance wear.
HANIA by ANYA COLE
Curated a symposium on sustainability and luxury goods with a diverse panel of international experts. Special focus on the need for integrative and holistic thinking to help us make more thoughtful decisions -- and how what we put on our bodies and in our bodies all work in affecting our environment, personal health, and spiritual well-being.
THE HUNGER GAMES - CAPITOL
Provided art direction and creative conceptualization for a Stephen Klein production for the film franchise's website.
THE MUSEUM AT F.I.T.
Conceived of a large-scale curatorial project exploring the impact of NY underground culture’s influence on the international fashion scene leading to the blockbuster exhibition FASHION UNDERGROUND.
DAVID BARTON GYM
Provided creative and merchandising direction for various DAVID BARTON GYM luxury fitness chain retail concept shops.
VOGUE ITALIA / CASA VOGUE
Freelance contributor.
PARSON'S / F.I.T.
Guest Lecturer
COLDWATER CREEK
2009 – 2012
SVP OF DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Spearheaded the brand transformation of a $1 billion iconic American Women’s Sportswear company for all apparel and non-apparel product categories. Initiated and managed every aspect of the Creative Design process to ensure a consistent brand image across all channels and categories. Recruited a world-class team for Creative, Design, Product Development, CAD, Sourcing, Fabric & Technical Design departments.
TALBOTS
2008 – 2009
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / SVP OF DESIGN
Served as interim Creative Director and SVP of Design for all divisions of a $2 billion Women’s American classics brand supervising a transitional design and product development team. Worked closely with senior management to restructure Talbot’s org. chart and establish efficiencies in sourcing and supply chain to maximize speed-to-market and costing.
CYNTHIA STEFFE
2007 – 2008
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Creative Director for contemporary American designer brand following the departure of its namesake. Restructured and revitalized the brand’s identity and product offerings to increase market share and turn around lagging sales. Collections received “Best Of” awards from various national and international publications and websites.
NAUM
2004 – 2007
FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Founded luxury fashion brand as a vehicle to explore the merging of luxury fashion with innovations in high-technology fabric and design. Debut NAUM collection featured on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily, Style.com, and the NYTimes front page.
HARVE BENARD
1990 – 2004
EVP OF DESIGN / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Served as EVP of Design and Creative Director for one of the last family-owned American designer sportswear brands on Seventh Avenue. Responsible for increasing sales revenue from $40 million in annual revenues in the early 1990s to $120 million in 2004.