1. P h u o n g L e
107 West 69th Street, apt. 3-C New York, N Y 10023
te l 347 922-3911
e-ma il: PhuongLe1@hotma il.com
Freelance Experience
SIMON DUNCAN COLLECTION, ready-to-wear & evening/ Brooklyn, NY 2008-Present
Fashion Stylist – consultant | Merchandise Manager
• FASHION STYLIST EXPERIENCE: List of key fashion stylist responsibilities (see detailed list below).
o 1) Model casting: Managed all model casting for runway shows (Seasons: Spring 2009 & Spring 2010).
o 2) “Line of Show” merchandise: Selected model accessories, handbags, and hats for runway show.
o 3) Public Relations: Worked with team to create sponsorships, and “word of mouth” buzz. The challenger: Getting sponsors
to provide merchandise and money to help finance runway show. The result: Established sponsorships with Jean-Michel
Cazabat shoes, Michael Antonio shoes, Godiva® Chocolatier, and more.
• Created detailed “line sheets”, indicating styles (pictorial description of style), style numbers, prices, color & fabric information, season,
delivery dates, order minimums, and sales rep contact.
Professional Experience
GUCCI AMERICA, INC., Florentine fashion and leather goods label/ New York, NY 2002-2008
Buyer | Buyer-Jewelry & Watches 2006-2008
Originally hired as an assistant buyer, but promoted 3 times.
• BUYING METHOD: See detailed description of buying method/process.
o 1) Purchasing, Allocation & Replenishment: Analyzed class performance, planned class penetration & average retail by class.
o 2) Financial Planning: Responsible for the financial planning of inventory.
o 3) Pricing & Marketing: Establishes and approves pricing strategy. Recommended and approved item price changes, and
ensures that prices changes are input in a timely manner. Evaluates financial impact of price changes.
o 4) Open-to-Buy Monitoring: Managed the markdown projection process, and the projection of vendor allowance. Tasked to
develop aged inventory exit strategies (including inventory sales).
o 5) Merchandising: While monitoring industry trends and evaluating competition, executed the merchandise strategy, including
product collection and product development.
• Traveled to Gucci runway shows (e.g. Florence & Milan).
• Ensured the dissemination of product knowledge to store associates. Supervised the Best / Worst Seller Review. This included product
consolidations and re-distributing merchandise to other stores (twice monthly).
Merchandise Planner 2005-2006
Promoted to Merchandise Planner; this position didn’t exist before, therefore tasked to create job description & precedents.
• Developed sales and inventory unit and dollar plans by location and department to maximize sales and returns.
• Allocated merchandise, determining store assortments and controlling store inventory levels.
• HISTORIC DATA (analysis process): Established pre-season sales and margin plans, as well as the inventory levels required to support
them; analyzed multiple seasons of historical performance to establish trends and opportunities.
• Make recommendations and execute markdowns with Merchandising team.
• Forecasted Sales, Gross Margin, and Inventory vs. Plan by department and by category/sale
Associate Buyer 2002-2005
Hired to be Women’s Ready-To-Wear & Women’s Silk Accessories buyer.
• Considered customer point of view, when making decisions regarding buying, pricing, merchandising, and advertising.
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT: List of key-professional accomplishment (see details below).
o Velvet Pants “Hot-Trend alert”: After doing market research with sales associates in 2004, realized that Gucci’s Velvet pants
were special, and could potentially explode. Facilitated the further development of pants, and entering 32 boutiques in the US.
In the stores, 70% sell through in the 1st year, as well as re-orders.
SEE COLLECTION: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/F2005RTW-GUCCI/
• Developed sales and inventory unit and dollar plans by location and department to maximize sales and returns.
• Allocated merchandise, determining store assortments and controlling store inventory levels.
BALLY USA, Men & Women Ready-To-Wear/ New York, NY 2000-2001
Merchandiser
Because of my previous success at Gucci America, Inc., hired to help re-launch & re-vitalize footwear line (e.g. Women’s Footwear).
• Participated in all facets of the product creation process. Included market research, trend analysis, product flow, and communicating line
changes. Core responsibility: Managed $10 million business across 30 North American boutique store locations.
• Responsible for ensuring the line makes a cohesive brand statement - through color, trims, and branding.
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT: List of key-professional accomplishment (see details below):
o Introduced NEW sporty sneakers: The year before Gucci America made a big splash with the introduction of a line of sporty,
colorful and logo centric sneaker. The situation: Bally USA was known for loafers, yet consumer tastes were moving beyond
loafers. The result: After working closely with design and development, a line of colorful and logo centric sneakers were
debuted. 60% sell through.

2. GUCCI AMERICA, INC., Florentine fashion and leather goods label/ New York, NY 1999-2000
Assistant Buyer
Hired as Assistant Buyer (Women’s Footwear), but left company in 2000. Eventually re-hired in 2002, after my work at Bally USA.
• Assisted buyer in selection and procurement of merchandise (i.e. Women’s Footwear), which supported the overall company sales
volume, gross margin and turnover objectives. Additionally, provided operational support to buyers.
• KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT: List of key accomplishment (see details below).
o Increased Sandal sales: After completing market search (re: working directly w/ Store Managers & Associates, industry
publications/research, spotting trends by shopping the market, and more), women’s sandals could primarily be purchased in
Spring & Summer (regardless of where you lived). The result: Introduced all year around sandal selling (focusing on warmer
climate store locations). Sandal sells increased by 15% in the first roll-out year.
TSE, Knitwear (cashmere) label/ New York, NY 1998-1999
Associate Buyer 1998-1999
Hired to be the Associate Buyer for Women, Men, and Children Ready-To-Wear, as well as Home.
• Researched current and past business performance using on line systems and available reports.
• MARKET RESEARCH: Regularly identify and shop competition of TSE, in order to leverage this knowledge to enhance department
selection.
• Partnered with the Director of Retail to develop and execute a strategy for assortment, vendor management, pricing and marketing for the
director’s specific category of business to maximize sales and profitability (using advanced Microsoft Office® Excel® spreadsheets
formatting).
International Sales Coordinator 1998
Recruited for assist in the collection debut of TSE New York Collection by Hussein Chalayan.
• Worked directly with overseas stores to introduced collection. Stores included: Harrods (London, England) and Colette (Paris, France).
SEE NYTIMES ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/21/style/hussein-chalayan-s-high-wire-act.html
• Analyzed product selections of each account for the appropriate content and mix.
• CORE RESPONSIBILITY: Developed new accounts, interface with Sales Director, and monitor and create sales projections.
PRADA USA CORP., Ready-to-wear, leather accessories & shoes designer/ New York, NY 1997-1998
Merchandising Assistant
Hired as Merchandising Assistant (Accessories: handbags, shoes, small leather goods).
• Worked in partnership with Sales Director to achieve professional management of wholesale accounts.
• Analyzed the selection of handbags, small leather goods, and footwear for content and mix.
• MARKET RESEARCH: Collected and researched information on competitors for the comprehensive pricing analysis.
Education
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/ New York, NY
Bachelors of Science (Fashion Merchandising Management)
http://www.fitnyc.edu/
Computer Skills
Advanced Microsoft Office® Excel®, PowerPoint®
(Including Microsoft Office suite)