Diana Vargas Gilbert

Joined a new Strategy & Innovation team seeking to define the strengths and potential synergies of a brand portfolio – Gap, Gap Outlet, Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Hill City, Janie & Jack – that had been operating as fiefdoms instead of corporate partners. Outlined differentiators and proposed strategies and product opportunities to brand presidents and leadership teams for go-live approval, allowing each to bring its best to consumers and optimize categories and growth while working as a corporate team. * Facilitated a team of strategic analysts and innovation subject matter experts to provide the portfolio of brands with forward-thinking value-added product/experience upgrades. * Leveraged Old Navy’s winning denim program into Gap’s supply chain and design work, facilitating a $5 Gap price reduction. * Created the framework for Gap and Gap Outlet to source fleece for the iconic branded sweatshirt from the same supply chain, allowing Gap Outlet to take its core price slightly lower and Gap to free up more dollars for novelty products. * Adopted Banana Republic’s wrinkle-free concept into Old Navy’s shirt business, creating a new category that grew to No.1. * Collaborated with brand-level leadership on planning, pricing architectures, and category growth; partnered at CEO and Brand President level on long-term brand portfolio planning.

BRINGING BRANDS AND PRODUCTS TO LIFE - Amidst sustained client demand, I returned to independent consulting, strategically elevating brands across diverse product categories while effectively managing family caregiving responsibilities. Client Roster includes: JUSTICE(An ASCENA Brand)/ FABLETICS / NIKE/ New Era/ lululemon /TOTES / ISOTONER / Tory Burch

Adding textile work to my growing skill repertoire in this role, I married products and market concepts to take to big retailers. I worked with a longtime mentor to understand what fibers and value Invista could deliver for the consumer and what stories they needed to tell retailers. * Deftly scaled a steep learning curve and logged much lab time, absorbing patience, technical communication skills, and an enhanced understanding of adding critical value for detail-oriented consumers. * During tenure, achieved the integration of Invista fibers into all lululemon sports bras; developed the T400 cooling technology for Nike and performance footwear; and developed an extra black fiber for Levi’s, patented technology that uses a tight coil to create the blackest black denim. * Led strategic research for executive leadership, identifying immediate and long-term opportunities for core and adjacent product portfolios including the Active Apparel Segment, International Retail, and Wearable Technology. * Developed a new global strategic planning process and merchandising strategies that eliminated waste and reduced process time by 4+ weeks. * Owned global line architecture strategy and the management of new initiatives focused on expanding global footprint. * Established and executed an international pricing and preferred vendor strategy on a market-by-market basis. * Engaged regularly with C-level leadership at key accounts including lululemon, NIKE, Levi’s, Tory Burch, and Old Navy. * Partnered with Global Human Resources lead in developing a long-term talent development plan focused on identifying high performers, improving retention rates, and succession planning.

As a result of being constantly approached to consult on category strategy and product development, I launched and grew an independent consulting firm from one potential client to an influential merchandising powerhouse that helped brands extend product reach. My projects included: * TOTES/ISOTONER: Met the challenge of linking the brand’s soft goods/protective gear business and footwear business, creating a common aesthetic and voice for all products. Brought vision in uniting disparate, traditional products with merchandising approaches that united the brands while allowing each to retain trademark distinctions. Managed a $200M revenue-generating global product portfolio across multiple categories for Totes and Isotoner. * Spearheaded strategic merchandise planning and product launch plans for fashion-forward footwear and accessory collections servicing JCPenney, Federated Stores, and Kohl’s. * NEW ERA: Worked with the world’s largest headwear company to build its collaborative offerings, identify new product opportunities globally, and bring a roadmap for the bigger play as opposed to singular opportunities. Brought critical messaging that ensured the New Era brand remained visible amid its high-profile partnerships with major league sports teams, big brands, and sports/music celebrities. * Built a new collaborative business arm for New Era, skyrocketing revenue from $20M to $130M within 12 months. * Launched Victoria’s Secret PINK for New Era, which became the inroad for PINK into college bookstores. * Built a Red Bull Racing Circuit collaboration so successful it paved the way for launching a full Red Bull merchandise line. * IN PRIVATE: Built a product development framework that allowed In Private to launch and support the Converse One Star swimwear business. Served as the conduit to Target and its very specific requirements as the line’s exclusive outlet, achieving status as Target’s No. 1 lifestyle swimwear vendor and dominant sell-through results.

Here I took the seed of an idea all the way to launch, making the VS Sport line a reality and a success. As part of a product incubation team, I brought a mindset protective of customer expectations and dedicated to details as we achieved immediate market share and industry accolades. I brought product vision and planning strengths to the initial PINK swimwear line and gifting programs as well. * Developed a two-year Product Roadmap to close the gaps in silhouette and price tiers within the product assortment. * Led a global, dispersed product team, assessing and identifying gaps in talent and operational needs. * Brought a deep understanding of line planning and merchandising to provide product teams with a conceptual view of seasonal product lines, using category commercial logic and providing a merchant “eye” early in design. * Collaborated with the Executive Leadership team to identify new product opportunities and develop long-term product and category optimization plans. Analyzed sales, consumer insights and historical data to inform product decisions. * Led the development of a three-year International Expansion Roadmap to support the global establishment of retail stores. * Tapped as a senior member of cross-functional concept team – dotted-line to the Chairman/CEO – with direct responsibility for identifying new product collaborations, brand extensions, and emerging consumer opportunities for the portfolio of brands – Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Henri Bendel, Express, and Limited.

Tapped to drive relaunch in the U.S. under new leadership and new rights ownership as the brand moved away from a multi-sport approach and back to its aspirational tennis roots.

Led the successful international emergence of this American brand, fine-tuning the look for Mexico and Central America.