Candice Merville Brown

A certified organic skincare company based in Los Angeles, specializing in products for the modern eco-conscious consumer.

• Investigated and produced reports on the UK sustainable cosmetics market.
• Approached high end London based department stores and boutiques.
• Researched UK distributors.
• Set up marketing with social media.

A privately owned accessories online only store with websites in the UK and France that specializes in headwear for men, women & children with a sister company in the US.

• Designed, developed and sourced own label hats.
• Bought 80 international brands including Nike, Adidas, Brixton, Converse, Borsalino, Christys’ and Vans.
• Was responsible for the allocation of our annual budget of $2M.
• Achieved a 32% increase in product revenue for 2013-2014.
• Identified potential sales and growth and nurtured specific resulting in a dramatic increase in sales over 12 month (2014-2015) period. Brands included Failsworth (96% sales increase), Brixton (28% increase), New Era (41% increase), Nike (442% increase), The North Face (94% increase) and Converse (82% increase).
• Range planned, analyzed categories, fabrics, colors and trends suitable for the commercial market.
• Trained and managed the buying and merchandising team as well as writing official policies and procedures for training purposes.
• Developed and improved relationships with all suppliers, which lead to accelerated access to stock to prevent backordering.
• Encouraged and guided management on website makeover.
• SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for German site launching in January 2017.
• Reduced non-performing inventory by 75%.
• Signed off fits with the Garment Technologist.
• Signed off fabric swatches and lab dips.

Previous roles within company:

Buyer October 2012-August 2013

Developed good relationships with suppliers.

Encouraged wise spending.

Spearheaded the clearing-out of non-performing brands.

Researched trends, fabrics, colors and shapes.

Branched out the women’s and children’s product selection.

Expanded the range of Jaxon’s and sur la tete’s (own label brand) product.

Vivaio Days is an innovative e-commerce company geared towards the socially responsible consumer who wishes to make a difference with their purchasing dollars. 10% of every purchase goes directly towards the education of underprivileged children in Africa.

• Sourced sustainable brands that fit in with the mission of Vivaio. Categories include Baby, Kids, Care, Beauty, Recreation, Home, Accessories and Food.
• Developed and maintained relationships between suppliers and founders.
• Researched competitors and analyzed pricing.
• Negotiated terms and conditions.
• Rigorously analyzed brands to fit the sustainability criteria.

• Identified new potential export market for the US head office.
• Sourced a new distributor developing chain of retail stores, which lead to a tripling of global sales in following two years.

• Sourced manufacturers of organic and soft goods e.g. baskets, towels, bibs, flannels and packaging from Europe.
• Investigated UV protection fabrics for sun protection range.
• Sourced sustainable components.
• SWOT analysis for Japan.
• Competitive shopping for Japan.
• Attended International trade shows.

MS Retail was founded by Fahad Al Mutawa who opened a chain retail stores throughout the Middle East. With its head office based in Kuwait, the buying team was strategically placed in London, as they wanted a European handwriting in terms of own label and brands. MS Retail offers a one-stop shop for children, teens and mothers.

• Developed own label ranges
• Sourced and selected international brands. We travelled throughout Europe to find high end products for the appropriate categories.
• Worked with the Senior Merchandiser for projected sell throughs and analyzed rate of sales.
• Built and planned ranges to fit on store fixtures and gondolas.
• Managed margins, pricing architecture collaborated with the Senior Merchandiser.
• Travelled extensively throughout Europe, sourcing fabrics and conducted trend analysis.
• Researched the Middle East to accommodate the market.
• Trained and managed the Assistant Buyer and Buying Assistant.
• Influenced the garment fit with the Garment Technologist and had a high knowledge of European safety standards.

Previous roles within company:

Assistant Buyer – Baby Wear May 2007-June 2008 Bought sports ranges.

Prepared pricing packs for costings.

Sourced fabrics.

Wrote purchase orders.

Managed critical path.

Buying Assistant – Baby Wear October 2005-May 2007

Organized samples room

Wrote purchase orders.

Took minutes in sales meetings.

Helped prepare mood boards for meetings.

Helped prepare for sign offs.

Created critical path.

A modelling agency that was formed from the International Creative Management agency for actors. This enabled actors and actresses to also represent brands and be part of fashion based photo shoots for publications.

• Scheduling model’s flights and hotels.
• Booked photographers.
• Booked studios.
• Looked after junior models.

A UK heritage couture brand which today is still worn by the royal family and celebrities.

• Prepared design packs for manufacturers.
• Attended private fittings for clients.
• Catalogued magazine ideas.
• Represented the brand at tradeshows.

Photography & Digital Imaging – Certificate of Higher Education