robert norman: Fashion Industry Vet | Creative Director | Brand Storyteller | Educator | Author in Brooklyn, New York

As a professor specializing in Computer Aided Product Development and Product Marketing for Fashion, I am instrumental in molding the perspectives, confidents, and creative talents of future fashion industry leaders. One of my notable contributions includes the launch of the highly sought-after course, 'The Business of Starting a Fashion Brand,' which garnered enrollment from 162 students within its inaugural year, demonstrating its widespread appeal. Notably, a minimum of 5% of students from each class successfully initiated their own clothing brands, underscoring the practical and actionable knowledge imparted in the program. This accomplishment highlights my dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship and establish practical skills within fashion education. Furthermore, my international travel through the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), particularly in Italy, provided an invaluable opportunity for students to collaborate with an Italian footwear company, offering insights into the intricacies of introducing a European product to the US market and enriching their understanding of the global fashion landscape.

As the driving force and creative vision behind the brand's ideas and success, I served as the Design Director, maintaining the brand image and forging meaningful connections from our customer insights. Season after season, I crafted compelling narratives through planning product creation and packaging, ensuring each piece resonated with our customers. Leading a team of six, I oversaw retail and ecommerce operations, managed product logistics, and curated engaging social media content to create brand synergy. Additionally, I orchestrated photography shoots, facilitated collaborations, and remained abreast of emerging fashion trends. With brand oversight, I would recruit, manage, and motivate retail staff, while also traveling overseas to collaborate with factories, refining our product offerings across clothing and accessories and solidifying our brand's position in the market.

As the Art Director, I develop and curated all the brand's artistic and visual elements, client engagement and presentations, encompassing both in-house sportswear labels and major big-box retailers like JCP, Kohl's, and Kmart private label development. Notably, my design strategy was responsible for the in-house private label sales experienced a substantial 20% increase, highlighting the effectiveness of my strategic and influential direction. Further- more, this success led to other retailers requesting that I replicate for their private labels what I achieved for the in-house brand, further solidifying my reputation as a sought-after expert in elevating and enhancing visual elements for retail brands.

Led the creative direction and visual identity development as head of design of a young men's streetwear line. Spearheading the conceptualization and creation of all designs, including brand identity, seasonal storytelling, color schemes, silhouette design, and overall graphics, I orchestrated a distinctive and cohesive visual language for the brand. In addition to crafting engaging brand narratives, I ensured consistency across all touchpoints to weave a compelling and authentic brand story. Supervise a team of 7, along with coordinating freelance photographers, manufacturers, and sales teams, I fostered a collaborative environment that translated creative concepts into tangible market success. This comprehensive approach not only solidified the brand's visual appeal but also contributed to its growth and prominence in the competitive streetwear market.

As the Founder and Head of Design for the Young Men's Brand, it’s my artistic vision that defined the line. I orchestrated all aspects of the brand's creative art direction and operational management, organizing photo shoots, overseeing the design direction and development of apparel and accessories while spearheading strategic marketing initiatives. With a focus on streetwear trends, I cultivated the brand's distinctive aesthetic and collaborated with skateboarders, dancers, and other subcultures to acquire brand ambassadors to amplify its reach. Leading a team of three and mentor interns, I fostered a culture of creativity, inspiration, and collaboration, while also managing project workflow and partnerships with external agencies, product photography, and market research so to stay relevant with industry trends.

As an Art Director developing creative strategies, I played a central role in crafting compelling visuals, including graphic designs for both apparel and in-store marketing. These visuals effectively conveyed brand messages and played a vital part in the success of diverse license labels managed by the company. Collaborating with renowned brands such as Sean John, Nautica, and Izod, as well as various license label projects, I maintained their intellectual property integrity while designing to meet current trends. I brought a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision to the design team. My creative direction further extended to the successful launch of a private label for Walmart, achieving an impressive $5 million in sales during its inaugural season. This initiative not only showcased my ability to translate creative concepts into tangible market success but also made significant contributions to the brand's overall revenue and standing in the competitive retail landscape.