Paola Cignoli

Art Director and Visual Merchandiser

Milano, Italy
A smart Fashion Stylist with years of experience in highly creative and commercial environment. A sophisticated creative researcher and sensitive trend analyst,
I find and create concepts and I use graphic design for an immediate communications of my ideas.

Work Experience

C&A

Visual Merchandiser

- Created windows and in-store set-ups of 800+ sqm/week, optimised spaces, re- distributed equipments and collections thanks to my styling and color knowledge
- Planned, together with the management team, layout changes based on KPIs and other reports in order to push sales
- Trained a store team of seven colleagues, directing them in displaying around 6,000 pieces of arrivals/week, updating them on trends and materials
- Managed two stores at the same time for eight months, going on site or, when not present in the store, remotely instructing and guiding both teams
May 2018 - November 2020 Busnago, Italy

Den Store

Visual Merchandiser

- Enhanced the private label of Den multibrand store through set-ups, windows and mannequins to best reflect the denim identity of the company
- Trained five new hired on visual principles during the first opening month of a new Crema city centre store, with windows on every side
- Introduced a product feedback routine with the company, which lead to the production of a denim that became best seller for some weeks
- Took the Head Quarters Buying role, working closely with the Area Visual Merchandiser in designing the company visual guidelines
April 2015 - April 2018 Italy

Zara

Visual Merchandiser

- Responsible of Zara Basic department in the Oxford Circus store, I re-merchandised it based on new arrivals, company guidelines and area best sellers
- Created the SS14 trend map, which was introduced to teams of all departments
- Analysed, together with the rest of the visual team, the competitor’s products and strategies, with feedbacks to area managers
August 2013 - September 2014 United Kingdom

Blanc Magazine

Art Director and Stylist

- Contributed to the fashion section of the magazine with fashion editorials I styled and art directed
- Researched and selected contents and contributors for the print issue
- Worked closely with layout designers sending them ideas and feedbacks till the last printing step
- Contributor of social media
October 2012 - October 2014 United Kingdom

The Rodnik Band

Art Director and Graphic Designer

- Fashion stylist for London Fashion Week events
- Trend analysis and creative research for new collections
- Designer of main and archive collection along with accessories collection and illustrations/patterns; layout designer of invitations and website
March 2012 - February 2013 United Kingdom

Fashion 156

Fashion Intern

- Art, fashion and lifestyle blogger
- Fashion Editor assistant
- Studio assistant with duties like photo retouching, resize of pictures for the website and uploading contents on website using Wordpress
November 2011 - February 2012 United Kingdom

Shop172

Art Director and Graphic Designer

Shop 172 was an independent fashion boutique located in Brick Lane, London. I designed some artworks to promote its products on social media and website.
August 2010 - September 2010 United Kingdom

Education

Università Degli Studi Milano Bicocca

Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology

September 2004 - April 2010 Milan, Italy

Istituto Marangoni

Degree in Fashion Styling

October 2008 - June 2011 Milan, Italy

Languages

Italian (Native),
English (Fluent),

Skills

Adobe, Art Direction, Blogger, Creative Research, Fashion, Illustrator, Indesign, Layout, Moodboards, Photoshop, Styling, Trend Analysis, Visual Merchandising,