Senior Vice President, U.S. Retail @ From June 2015 to Present (7 months) Vice President, GMM - Head of Merchandising @ Responsible for development and implementation of product and visual merchandising strategy specific to 145 stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Manage Merchandising complex inclusive of both women and men's businesses across Leather Goods, Travel, Accessories, Shoes, Ready-to-Wear, and Watches/Jewelry.
Additionally oversee the Visual Merchandising corporate team with dotted line responsibility of in store visual merchandising team.
Member of America's Executive Committee; reporting directly to President
Manage team of 26 with 8 direct reports. From July 2012 to Present (3 years 6 months) Director of Merchandising- Leather Goods @ Developed product strategies for LVNA Leather Goods by tailoring product initiatives developed in Paris to the needs of the United States and Canada markets.
Delivered double digit growth by creating/implementing/executing buys, product trainings, communication tools and incentives to lead and motivate 135 stores.
Complex included Women's, Men's and travel.
Managed team of 4 buyers. From September 2010 to July 2012 (1 year 11 months) Greater New York City AreaSenior Buyer, Handbags and Accessories @ Managed all aspects of largest growing complex through successful creation of innovative strategies focused on exclusive product assortment, multi-tiered marketing plan, exceptional events and in store visual presentation.
Complex included Chanel, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, YSL, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Dior, Nancy Gonzalez, Marchesa, Judith Leiber, Carlos Falchi, VBH, and Kara Ross.
Managed team of 3. From May 2005 to September 2010 (5 years 5 months) Greater New York City AreaBuyer, RTW @ Largest volume office comprised of top women's bridge RTW brands that fueled network of 60 stores.
Managed team of 5. From January 2003 to May 2005 (2 years 5 months) Buyer, RTW @ Joined Merchant Development Program in 1997 and quickly rose to position of buyer in 1998.
Successfully grew diverse portfolio of product categories inclusive of RTW career, sportswear, petites and evening across wide range of vendors- Theory, Tahari, Lafayette 148, St. John Sport, etc over 5 years.
Managed team of 2. From September 1997 to January 2003 (5 years 5 months)
Bachelor of Science, Merchandising @ University of North Texas From 1993 to 1996 Lanessa Elrod is skilled in: Luxury Goods, Merchandising, Retail, Visual Merchandising, Shoes, Handbags, Leather, Strategy, Leadership, Luxury, Trend Analysis, Apparel, Trend, Market Planning, Styling