LORIN DINI KRISMAN

Vancouver,B.C.,Canada dkris1@aol.com (604)3689966

FASHION MERCHANDISING EXECUTIVE

VP OF MERCHANDISING / PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Highly skilled, professional and experienced Vice President of Merchandising with over 30 years in the fashion
industry. Successful track record of increasing sales and reducing costs, increasing profit margins, developing
successful product lines and mixes, and building businesses. Expertise in merchandising principles and
philosophy, mentoring and leading teams, creating positive environments, as well as building and maintaining
relationships with vendors. Skilled and accurate with budget and sales forecasting. Keen ability to identify and
monitor fashion trends along with extensive expertise in all aspects of private label product development for all
types of ladies apparel. Strives to keep companies competitive and bring consumers the best and most creative
products.
Core competencies include:
Internal Business Management Merchandising and Design 3rd Party Relationship Mgmt.
 Profit and Loss Analysis  Identifying Fashion Trends  Vendor Relations & Mgmt.
 Strategic Business Planning  Merchandising Expertise  Contract Negotiations
 Budgeting/Financial Management  Excellent Product Knowledge  Global Sourcing
 Team Building and Leadership  Creative Product Development  Procurement Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INDEPENDENT FASHION CONSULTANT
(2011 – 2018)
Fantazia (2015 – 2018)
Director of Design
Revamped and updated the entire missy collection for this 26 year old company as well as expanded the product
assortment. Created a new corporate line called DDESIGN marketed towards a more contemporary audience.
Attended, participated, and worked at shows such as the MAGIC, WWIN, and Stylemax as well as regular sales
markets.
Selected accomplishments:
 Created successful corporate line DDESIGN that accounts for 50% of the company’s sales after 18 months.
 Developed the strongest selling product categories by expanding the company’s product assortment.
 Key contributor for the sales of the company.

Language of Love (2014 – 2015)

Oversaw the merchandising of the company’s start up....Selected all colors, fabrics and styling.
Presented the line at assorted trade shows and markets.
Selected accomplishments:
 Responsible for the successful startup of the company’s product lines.
 Key sales person for the line at shows and markets.

Fairweather, (2011 – 2014)

Created and developed fashion oriented product packages made in LA to ship to chains top stores. Focused on
identifying and representing all key emerging fashion trends and representing in product.
Selected accomplishments:
 Identified numerous best-selling items to then later import at bulk prices.
 Increased sales through well-received fashionable product packages.
LORIN DINI KRISMAN PAGE 2 OF 2

FAIRWEATHER, Toronto, ON
VP OF MERCHANDISING (2008 – 2011)
Recruited to serve a three year contract with the end goal of improving product offering in terms of both quality
and fashionability as well as to expand and develop a wider and improved vendor base. Led a team of 14 buying
personnel, 4 QC, 2 visual graphic artists, 6 distribution and allocation staff, 2 marketing people and 4 planners.
Controlled and oversaw all merchandising and product development for over 150 fashion stores. Determined
seasonal color stores, key items and all styling and merchandising to create complete collections of product.
Conducted pricing negotiations, finalized product costs and selected vendors for placement and development of
goods. Developed Open-to Buy plans on a seasonal and yearly basis to achieve corporate financial objectives as
well as worked weekly with IT to adjust such plans as required. Worked with store operations and distribution
department heads to control inventory flow, markdowns and other in store promotional activity to ensure sales
goals were met.
Selected accomplishments:
 Improved the overall look and fashionability of the product offering of the stores.
 Instrumental in achieving financial objectives and increasing sales as a result of improved product.
 Expanded and improved vendor base and vendor relationships

MARIPOSA STORES LIMITED, Vancouver, BC

VICE PRESIDENT OF MERCHANDISING (1996 – 2008)
Led a team of 2 DMM’s, 6 buyers and 4 assistants plus QC and distribution personnel. Controlled and oversaw
all merchandising and product development for over 120 fashion stores. Managed private label product
development of all classifications of budget to moderate price pointed business across all categories of goods.
Implemented and directed corporate financial strategy by projecting forecasts and budgets. Instituted efficient
mechanisms to itemize garment specifications and document all transactions and decisions leading to
substantially reduced quality problems. Built and oversaw the professional development of all team members
and subordinates. Conducted line reviews and product knowledge seminars with and for buying and store
personnel.

Selected accomplishments:
 Expanded vendor base and created positive, fruitful relationships with existing vendors.
 Improved profit margins by reducing the cost of merchandise (up to 40% per item) through negotiations.
 Reduced departmental manpower costs by over 50% through reassessment of individual job responsibilities.

Previous Appointments

LE CHATEAU STORES LIMITED, Montréal, QC

VICE PRESIDENT OF MERCHANDISING (1992 – 1996)
MERCHANDISE MANAGER LADIES (1989 – 1992)
IMPORT DIRECTOR (1987 – 1989)
BUYER (1984 – 1987)

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, Vancouver, BC
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology