Wanda R. Colon

Fashion Consultant: With 30 +plus years in the industry, I continue to strive for new ways to help designers navigate and build a prominent business within the ever-changing market. I have a keen sense for spotting and developing talent in the fashion industry and am available to help established and emerging brands reposition themselves through entry into new markets. I have proven success in financial planning, OTB, pricing, margin, sales revenue, product development and building strategies for sustainable growth. Clients past and present: Bravado/RS No9, Brett Johnson, Eclipse@ Half Moon Bay, Shop LatinX, Gala Gala, Basketcase Gallery, R13 & Fear of God. Product Development *Merchandising*Business Development*E-commerce* Budgets*Sales Plans* Brand Development*Buying*Trend Analysis*Brand Partnerships*Assortment Planning *SKU Analysis

Brett Johnson believes in the power of the well-dressed man, designed for the new connoisseur, who discerns and values discreet and timeless design. Manage operations for Brett Johnson in the US and Europe, annual turnover of 3 million euros. Lead the execution of the organizational strategy established by the leadership team. Manage critical projects, oversee the day-to-day operations, manage organizational change and carry out the vision of the CEO. Manage financial plans, P&L and cash flow.

Leading $165M in sales across all product categories, 150 points of distribution, and 30 accounts for one of the world's most prominent fashion houses, I drove sales growth by 17% across all categories in the Americas. I created and steered sales strategies, initiatives, and sales plans by client and product category in partnership with senior management. In addition, I coached, mentored, and directed an 8-member team. * Growing sales by $22M in 2017, I leveraged detailed sales and market share analysis by client, region, and category over the prior 2 years to pinpoint opportunities to drive sales growth. * By standardizing the approach and adding 15 points of distribution, I boosted sales by $2M, through a comparative analysis to competitors’ points of distribution and an analysis of Yves Saint Laurent sales volume. * I evaluated the viability of aged inventory, compared it with the inventory of directly operated stores, and liquidated $3M in aged stock through retail outlets. * Through an assessment of sales by market, region, and client and a resulting action plan, I was able to grow advertising and sales support program budgets and increase the penetration of selling support.

Directed sales, production, marketing team ensuring all company goals were met, including sales targets, distribution policies, merchandising execution and brand image Worked directly with Creative Director/Designer to define company objectives, identify opportunities for growth, streamline distribution channels, assess opportunities for co-branding and collaborations Identified evolving and developing markets, elevating the brand position and presentation Analyzed existing business including margins, price structure, product offering and identify opportunities for growth Evaluated existing wholesale accounts, balance presence across all channels (retail, e-commerce & direct to consumer) Developed calendars in keeping with traditional wholesale/retail model to manage production and collection offering Analyzed markets and competition Clients: FEAR OF GOD & R13

Led Comprehensive Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing Operations to Drive Business Growth I spearheaded all aspects of merchandising, sales, and marketing, including strategy development, product selection, vendor negotiation, promotional planning, product development, branding, communications, and evaluating potential joint ventures and co-brand partnerships. Additionally, I played a critical role in building the web team and the executive leadership team. Strategic Leadership: Collaborated with the Board to shape the company’s strategic and operational direction, resulting in a 35% increase in annual sales, turnover improvement from 2.5 to 4 times per year, and a 15% reduction in markdowns. Mission-Driven Initiatives: Created a mission statement that guided business decisions, inspired new ventures, ensured integrity in product assortments, and sharpened the focus of sales teams. Store Modernization & Sales Growth: Partnered to modernize store environments, leading to a 25% increase in store sales and enhanced morale and productivity through employee training programs and customer experience initiatives. E-commerce Expansion: Grew the e-commerce share of business to 35%, expanded the brand portfolio from 30 moderate, commercial brands to 75 designer, contemporary, and in-demand brands. Key initiatives included a website revamp, launching a brand ambassador program, increasing email marketing frequency, and introducing a lottery system for limited-edition sneakers. Operational Excellence: Enhanced reporting systems to improve forecasting, purchasing, and inventory management, driving greater efficiency and profitability.

For this luxury specialty retailer with stores in 7 majors cities and an online store, I directed the vision, strategy, and execution for the Men's Developing Designer ready-to-wear and denim. This includes $50M in annual sales across 4 merchandise divisions, 23 brick and mortar stores, 2 e-commerce sites, and a team of 6. Accountabilities spanned vendor strategies, e-commerce, product launches, marketing, advertising, store design, and merchandising. * Propelled top-line seasonal sales by $3M and exceeding gross margin targets, I differentiated the brand matrix and broke into the untapped streetwear product market. I negotiated exclusive distribution and launched Off-White by Virgil Abloh, Marcelo Burlon Hood By Air, and Fear of God. *Deepened the penetration of e-commerce sales to 15% of the total annual sales and produced an additional $500K in revenue in emerging brands. * Established COOP private label product line and drove sales to $3M and a 50% gross margin, leading all facets, from the merchandise concept to final production. * More than 15 direct reports, who I trained and mentored, gained promotions. Earlier roles: VP, Men’s Designer & Co-Op Sportswear (1998 – 2008); Senior Buyer (1997 – 1998); Buyer (1990 – 1997)