Leigh Baird

Vice President, Women's Design | Ralph Lauren
New York, New York, United States

Professional Overview

Leigh Baird is an accomplished fashion design executive with over 15 years of experience leading award-winning women's apparel collections. As the Vice President of Women's Design at Ralph Lauren, she oversees the strategic development and creative direction of the brand's iconic women's lines, driving innovative designs that capture the essence of timeless American style.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As Vice President of Women's Design at Ralph Lauren, Leigh is responsible for the end-to-end design process, from conceptualization to final product delivery. She leads a team of talented designers in creating cohesive seasonal collections that resonate with the brand's discerning global customer base. Under her leadership, the women's division has consistently exceeded sales targets and received critical acclaim, cementing Ralph Lauren's reputation as a premier luxury fashion house.

Career Progression

Prior to joining Ralph Lauren, Leigh held senior design roles at several prominent fashion brands, including Tory Burch and Michael Kors. Her ability to translate evolving consumer preferences into commercially successful designs has been a key driver of her career advancement. Throughout her career, Leigh has demonstrated a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of market trends, and a talent for cultivating high-performing design teams.

Academic Background

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from the renowned Parsons School of Design in New York City. During her time at Parsons, she was recognized for her exceptional creative vision and received multiple awards for her innovative runway collections.

Areas of Expertise

• Women's apparel design and development

• Luxury fashion trend analysis and forecasting

• Brand strategy and creative direction

• Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration

• Retail merchandising and customer insights

Professional Impact

Under Leigh's leadership, the Ralph Lauren women's division has experienced significant growth, with several collections receiving industry accolades and contributing to the brand's strong financial performance. Most notably, Leigh spearheaded the development of the brand's highly successful "Ralph's Club" capsule collection, which seamlessly blended Ralph Lauren's heritage with contemporary style and sustainability, resulting in a 25% increase in women's category sales.

Conclusion

Leigh Baird's unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with her deep understanding of the luxury fashion industry, make her a valuable asset to Ralph Lauren. As the brand continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences, Leigh's innovative approach and proven track record of success position her as a driving force behind the company's ongoing success in the women's apparel market.