My name is Alex Simon. I am a visual artist based in New York City. I specialize in visual merchandising, design, and fashion history.

Photographed at home by Jory Clay Sutton

I’ve been passionate about fashion and design since I was little. I interned with YM Magazine, Marc Jacobs, and Carolina Herrera while attending La Guardia High School.

After graduating college with a BFA in fashion design from SAIC in 2010, I worked as the design assistant for Bill Blass, creating accessory and clothing designs.

I have experience in visual merchandising with Ralph Lauren, Loro Piana as the East Coast Visual Manager, and created the first visual presence at Jaclyn Apparel.

In 2016 I started at Saks Fifth Avenue on the interior visual team, transitioning to windows in 2017 where I was the Windows Fashion and Production Manager until February 2022.

I am currently the Senior Manager, Visual Merchandising & Administration with Giorgio Armani.

CV

EDUCATION

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

BFA, Fashion Design | 2006 to 2010.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Giorgio Armani, New York

Senior Manager - Visual Merchandising & Administration | June 2023 to the present
Senior Visual Production Manager | March 2022 to June 2023

Managed the development, production and installation of the 2022 Oscars windows for the opening of the new Rodeo Drive Store and assisted with the store opening visual displays. Coordinated with the Milan HQ team to produce and roll out the SS/FW 22 Windows Props for all US stores. Managed the production of Mare set ups and events at Nobu Malibu, Miami Design District and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Assisted in the set up of the 2022 and 2023 Armani Prive exhibition and our Giorgio Capsule men’s windows at Bergdorf Goodman. Created US specific VM Guidelines for DMS and Wholesale accounts based on those sent from Milan.

Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
Windows Fashion and Production Manager | Visual Windows Stylist | November 2016 to February 2022

Fashion Manager for the New York Flagship windows team. Daily review of new arrivals to show the most current and on trend merchandise. Partnered with the Saks Fashion Office on trend/store/designer initiatives. Created fashion stories and styling with clothing, mannequins, shoes, accessories and props for our 2 week window change rotation, and for the 2018 through 2021 Holiday windows. Managed a team of 5, freelancers, created budget spreadsheets, the Windows calendar/weekly directory and expense reports. Ensured all visual production was on budget, executed well and opened on schedule.

Jaclyn Apparel, New York
Visual Merchandiser | Assistant to VP of Sales | Instagram Coordinator | January 2015 to November 2016

Responsible for the concept, creative and execution of all visual displays and quarterly Market Week presentations. Researched trends and prints and created all mood and color boards each season. Created and maintained the Instagram account for the Roudelain label which helped generate brand awareness and sales while sold at Lord & Taylor.

Loro Piana, New York
Regional Visual Manager | Visual Assistant | March 2013 to the December 2015

Visual Manager of the East Coast stores. Worked with the VP of Visual and each store manager to strategize bi-monthly window/interior changes adhering to LP visual standards. Administered product knowledge presentations to enhance sales and customer engagement. Managed a team of five in the NY store, and visual freelancers in the other LP locations.

Bill Blass Collection, New York
Design Assistant | June 2010 to February 2013

Responsibilities included shoe and accessory design. Collaborated with Manolo Blahnik on Spring 2012 shoes and Gianvito Rossi on Fall 2012 shoes. Collaborated with Albertus Swanepoel on Spring 2012 hats and House of Flora on Fall 2012 accessories. Assisted during fittings, created spec sheets and tech packs; assembled cut tickets for factories. Designed the Spring 2012 BB Logo Anchor.

Ralph Lauren, Chicago
Freelancer | May 2009 to May 2010 Creative Team Intern | September 2008 to May 2010

Assisted the store creative team with interior niche display, merchandise and mannequin rigging. Set up bi-monthly window displays and the seasonal Ralph Lauren Home decoration and assembly. Maintained the window and store displays daily to RL standards. Also assisted at the former Rugby store on windows and interior displays.

EXHIBITIONS AND HONORS

2021 Pave Platinum Award and Windows Wear Best Holiday Window Award. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Fashion Shows, 2008-2010; 2010 Senior Book Scholarship winner. 2010 FICA International Competition, one of three US finalists, coat shown in Milan, Italy.

Skills: Visual Merchandising and styling, prop building, mood boards, interior design, design research, sourcing materials, draping, sewing, pattern making, sketching, technical flats, specs, embroidery layouts. Proficient in Composer, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Saks Fifth Avenue | Valentines Day | 2022

 

Designer Focus | Product as Prop | 2022