Kate Schley
Senior Manager, Creative Retail Design | Los Angeles, CA
Professional Overview
Kate Schley is a seasoned retail design professional with over a decade of experience in creative leadership roles. As the Senior Manager of Creative Retail Design at Rothy's, she is responsible for overseeing the brand's innovative in-store experiences and shaping their visual merchandising strategy.
Experience Summary
Current Role
At Rothy's, Kate serves as the Senior Manager of Creative Retail Design, where she leads a team of designers and visual merchandisers. In this role, she is responsible for conceptualizing and executing engaging retail environments that showcase Rothy's sustainable products and brand ethos. Kate's key achievements include revamping the brand's flagship stores, implementing data-driven design strategies, and driving a 15% increase in in-store conversion rates.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Rothy's, Kate held progressive design leadership positions at prominent fashion and lifestyle brands. As the Director of Creative Retail Design and Partnerships at NSTO, she spearheaded collaborative retail experiences that drove significant revenue growth. During her tenure as the Global Senior Manager of Creative Retail Design at COS, she played a pivotal role in expanding the brand's international presence and enhancing its visual identity.
Kate's early career includes roles as a Display Artist at Anthropologie and a Creative Visual Supervisor at TOPSHOP TOPMAN, where she honed her skills in visual merchandising and prop design.
Academic Background
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Furniture Design and Manufacturing from London Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, Styling and Promotion from Middlesex University.
Areas of Expertise
- Creative retail design and visual merchandising
- Developing engaging in-store experiences
- Brand identity and visual strategy
- Leading diverse design teams
- Translating data insights into design solutions
- Project management and cross-functional collaboration
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Kate has been recognized for her ability to create visually compelling retail environments that seamlessly align with brand identity and customer preferences. Her work has been featured in industry publications, and she has been invited to speak at prominent design conferences, sharing her insights on the future of retail experiences.
Conclusion
With her exceptional design skills, strategic mindset, and proven track record of delivering innovative retail solutions, Kate Schley is a highly sought-after creative professional in the retail industry. As she continues to lead the creative direction at Rothy's, she is poised to drive further growth and elevate the brand's visual impact in the market.