DESIGN DIRECTOR

Top Management

Footwear Design Director with 15 years of experience, and a diverse portfolio in varying product categories.  My extensive history in the industry, coupled with a strong business acumen; has given me the ability to consistently forecast trends and translate that to proven commercial success.

* Consult and lead teams of designers in trend forecasting, conceptualization, design, development and production of seasonal lines of footwear and sporting goods.
* Prepare quarterly presentations for customers with regard to design and trend direction, utilizing strong presentation skills to propose ideations.
* Work with sales team to develop merchandising grids and respond to market needs accordingly.
* Identify brand DNA and core competencies in order to work with Team Leaders to develop overarching Brand Strategy.
* Revitalize current assortments and identify go forward strategy to expand core business and capture new retail landscape.

RECENT CLIENTS INCLUDE: ADIDAS, BARIII, C9 By CHAMPION, DER
DAU, EWING BRAND, HIND, HYBRID GREEN LABEL, IZOD, PSYCHO BUNNY, SKECHERS, UNION BAY, US ARMY

Strategically launched the footwear and accessories division within the Gerry
brand, utilizing my years of experience to identify white space within our market segmentation to capture our consumer.  Our first collection landed at retail in October 2019 with double digit sell throughs and replenishment orders to follow.
* Built and managed a team of creatives, and sales force to support our strategic business initiatives.
* Attended all sales meetings with sales teams to ensure not only was product represented but the brands narrative as well.
* Prepared, and lead top to top presentations, traveling extensively to our key retail partners in effort to sell in our vision from both an overall brand, and product perspective.
* Redefined the core DNA of Gerry in order to pivot, and adapt to the changing retail climate - Using my network to leverage the brands overall market perception on both social media and consumer platforms.

* Creative Director for all Licensed Non-Apparel products for both Champion and C9 by Champion brands.  This Includes Footwear, Bags, Head and Hand, Watches, Sunglasses, as well as various other Hard lines.
* Elevated licensed product not only in aesthetics, but in quantifiable and measurable metrics - always meeting aggressive plans to LY, and more often exceeding in the double digits.
* Since joining, Licensed goods have acquired valuable new floor space as a result of the productivity of our offerings at multiple retail outlets - Including not only Target, but major sporting retailer's such as The Sports Authority and Modells.  This was a result of the hands on approach taken in managing and developing seasonal business/design strategy with our vendors, identifying new business opportunities in our activewear markets, in turn helping to grow total licensed business dollars for both brands.
* Worked in unison with Creative Directors of Apparel for both brands, as well as the Chief Global Design Officer to unify brand visions, align cross platform "Big Ideas", identify seasonal color/trend, and manage overall brand aesthetic.

CREATIVE DESIGNER

MOUNTREK:
* Introduced true technical features in to the product, offering multi density CM-EVA bottoms, TPU heel stabilizers, sonically welded uppers, and multi directional outsole treading.
* Using my experience as an outdoor enthusiast and expertise in progressive aesthetics, I was brought on board to revitalize the brand image.
* Merging forward styling and true performance, I created a new overall look and feel for the brand's 2013/2014 collections.

BAR III, ALFANI:
* Launched Bar III Footwear (Fall '12) - Macy's new private label, fast fashion enterprise. To this day Bar III remains one of the strongest divisions in Macy's private label business.
* Spearheaded launch of new initiative from a product perspective to gain footing in Men's Fashion Casual business within Macy's doors.
* Widen scope of current product categories of design to include a dress casual aesthetic.

TOMMY HILFIGER:
* Responsible for the trend forecasting, conceptualization, design, development and production of multiple lines of footwear - this includes both Men's, Woman's, International and Domestic lines.
* Work with customers to develop merchandising plans and respond to markets need accordingly.

SENIOR DESIGNER

Men's/Women's Fashion Athletic Footwear
Brands: SHMACK / AZZURE

DESIGNER

Men's/Women's Athletic Footwear
Brands: PHAT FARM /PASTRY / RUN ATHLETICS / BABY PHAT

PROFICIENCY
CREATIVE DIRECTION, TEAM MANAGEMENT, BRAND STRATEGY, PRESENTATION,
IDEATION, SHOEMAKING, LINE BUILDING, MERCHANDISING, TREND FORECASTING,
SKETCHING, PROTOTYPING, MARKET RESEARCH
SOFTWARE

ILLUSTRATOR  / PHOTOSHOP  / INDESIGN  /  PROCREATE  /  WORD  /  EXCEL

Find out detailed information about Matthew Cohen, DESIGN DIRECTOR in Brooklyn, NY

Matthew Cohen: DESIGN DIRECTOR in Brooklyn, NY

Matthew Cohen

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS - Philadelphia