ANNE KITAGAWA

Experienced Visual Merchandising Manager with senior-level expertise in leveraging Adobe software to design innovative retail strategies and impactful visual displays. Adept at leading executive meetings, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and presenting data-driven solutions to achieve brand objectives. Skilled in crafting compelling merchandising campaigns that enhance customer experiences, increase revenue, and strengthen brand identity. Passionate about driving creativity within high-performing teams and delivering exceptional results in competitive retail environments.

Experience

Global Visual Merchandising & Communications Manager
Michael Kors, New York, NY
June 2018 - Current

  • Lead the Communications division of the Global and North America Visual Merchandising team, ensuring alignment with business objectives and brand storytelling.

  • Oversee the development and execution of monthly visual merchandising directives that support business needs while maintaining seasonal themes and a cohesive global message.

  • Coach, train, and develop the Visual Communications team, fostering skill growth and ensuring alignment with the company’s evolving vision.

  • Introduced storytelling-aligned visual merchandising guides, incorporating training videos and VM principles, resulting in a 20% increase in regional guideline adoption rates.

  • Established a global VM design cadence, ensuring alignment of window displays, activations, and collaborations across markets to enhance brand cohesion and seasonal storytelling.

  • Played a key role in the VM evolution project, contributing to revenue growth from $4.2B to $5B over three years by partnering with Window Design to enhance in-store experiences.


Director of Visual Merchandising
Kyrra, Los Angeles, CA
June 2017 - March 2018

  • Led visual merchandising strategy to enhance brand identity and customer engagement.

  • Developed and executed seasonal merchandising plans aligned with business objectives.

  • Directed store openings, floorsets, and large-scale merchandising projects.

  • Analyzed sales data to inform merchandising decisions and improve profitability.

  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including buying and marketing, to optimize product presentation.

  • Oversaw training programs to ensure consistent execution across locations.

  • Provided strategic guidance to leadership on market trends and visual storytelling.


Freelance Stylist
Mondo Mannequins & Econoco Corp., New York, NY
June 2015 - June 2017

  • Redesigned catalogs to enhance client engagement, driving increased revenue from existing accounts while attracting new clientele.

  • Curated and updated the showroom with new collections and styles, ensuring clients have real-time access to the latest inventory.

  • Managed and organized all merchandise information for publication, maintaining accuracy and consistency across marketing materials.

Visual Merchandiser // Sales
Ash Footwear, New York, NY
June 2014 - Nov 2014

  • Drove 40% of monthly sales at the U.S. flagship store through strategic merchandising and client engagement.

  • Developed and executed store campaigns and activations to enhance brand visibility and drive revenue.

  • Ensured impeccable product presentation by maintaining visual standards throughout business hours.

  • Contributed to the growth of the company’s client book by cultivating and managing customer relationships.

  • Built and nurtured strong relationships with existing and prospective clients to drive incremental sales and brand loyalty.

Accessory Buyer
Love Culture, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 2012 - Jan 2014

  • Managed $600K in monthly merchandise allocations across 80 U.S. retail locations and eCommerce channels, optimizing inventory distribution.

  • Led the development and execution of accessory sample programs to support merchandising initiatives.

  • Analyzed sales trends and economic conditions to forecast consumer buying patterns and inform strategic decision-making.

  • Developed and implemented allocation strategies that aligned with merchandising objectives, ensuring optimal product placement and sales performance.

Visual Manager
Love Culture, Los Angeles, CA
Jan 2010 - Nov 2012

  • Led the execution of window updates, marketing campaigns, promotional events, and floorsets across 80 U.S. retail locations, ensuring brand consistency and visual impact.

  • Proactively identified merchandise flow and visual merchandising opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to optimize store performance.

  • Served as the key liaison between the visual merchandising and operations teams to maintain consistency in floorplans and marketing initiatives across all U.S. stores.

  • Managed the deployment of all seasonal directives, ensuring timely and effective execution in alignment with brand and business objectives.

Design Intern
William Rast, Los Angeles, CA
Mar 2009 - Oct 2009

Design Intern
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Los Angeles, CA
June 2008 – Nov 2008

EDUCATION

UX/UI
Designlab
Ongoing

TECHNICAL DESIGN
Parsons School of Design
Continuing Education 2018

FASHION DESIGN
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Associates of Arts 2011

SKILLS

Professional
Visual merchandising strategy
Global storytelling and branding
Cross-functional collaboration
Data-driven decision making
Process optimization
Creative direction and innovation

Technical
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Premier Pro
After Effects
Figma
Lightroom
SketchUp
Microsoft Office

(310) 430-4004 // annekitagawa@gmail.com