Debbie Gonzalez: Design, Merchandising & Brand Consultant in Huntington Beach, CA

Design Consultant – Design, Merchandising & Brand Executive (2020 to Present) Design, merchandise and develop product strategies for brands after COVID-19. Focus on consumer, fashion and design trends. Focus on repositioning of brand in the market through relevant product design and assortment. Key Customers: • Levi’s – Design, product development for all men’s and women’s socks, underwear and lounge. • Dockers – Design, product development for all men’s socks, underwear and lounge. • True Religion – Design, product development for all men’s and women’s socks, underwear and lounge. • Walmart – Design, product development for all George socks, underwear and lounge. • Joy Spreaders – Design, branding and product development & execution for apparel start up.

Design, develop, and direct execution of targeted design, merchandising and brand management strategies, including creative vision, product roadmap, and brand positioning for $300M apparel company, while transforming branding and product development initiatives in accordance with market trends and consumer needs. Establish go-to market plans to facilitate revenue growth, while leading, coaching, and guiding creative and merchandising teams for executing and managing all brand, product design, and merchandising activities and achieving growth objectives. Craft and deliver seasonal assortment plans with pricing strategy, customer insights, and competitive trends to sales and leadership teams. Standardize forecasting, pricing, and packaging for all products to generate predictable projections. Key Achievements: • Accomplished over $10M incremental revenue in two months by introducing cloth mask in market and selling 8M masks, while initiating and championing Face Wear project during early stages of COVID-19. • Generated 18% sales revenue growth in 2019 equaling 30M from multiple distribution channels by leading creative team members for design and developing new product lines and digital strategies and elevating brand awareness. • Transformed brand identity, messaging, marketing/design & merchandising, and company websites by interpreting and incorporating B2B and B2C feedback internal/external stakeholders and customers.

Senior Director of Merchandising & Design Designed, established, and implemented creative vision, design, product development, and merchandising strategies for Levi’s, Dockers, True Religion and Dickies in women’s, men's & kids underwear, loungewear, socks, as well as managed key product packaging initiatives for all brands. Cultivated and maintained positive business relationships with buyers, licensors and product partners. Strategically led, trained, and mentored team of six creative and product development personnel based in New York, India, and China. Key Achievements: • Launched and grew underwear category of Levi's into $35M division in span of three years, while executing and managing key merchandising and seasonal initiatives for OO stores, outlets, wholesale retailers, e-commerce and partners. • Aligned global design and product development activities by implementing processes and setting milestones, as well as oversaw execution of key branding and merchandising initiatives for all distribution channels.

Director of Product, Design, & Merchandising Conceptualized, determined, and implemented strategic processes and roadmaps for creative, merchandising and product teams to consistently meet organizational DTC and wholesale goals. Hired, trained, and led creative, product development, technical, and merchandising teams to execute business critical tasks and completing assigned projects within strict time constraints. Developed and introduced product packaging initiatives, trade show collateral, sales tools, and POS materials for facilitating business growth. Expanded categories into basics, lounge and hard goods. Key Achievements: • Improved sales revenue from $700K to $12M and expanded categories by organizing and conducting training programs for sales teams to elevate brand awareness in market. • Cultivated collaborative business partnerships with major brands, such as Coke Cola, NBA, and Oprah Winfrey, while identifying and curating market trends and consumer needs.

Led the creative vision for all in house brands, licensed brands and private label brands. Worked as a liaison with brand managers and in house sales teams. Successfully launched product categories with 2(x)ist, Ben Sherman and Puma.

Brands: Perry Ellis Private Label: Target, Walmart, Kohls and JCP