GIA VON
Creative Direction Brand Elevation Digital Design
Avon, CT
In My Own Words
Where design and branding meet marketing—that’s my happy place. I love shaping creative direction to tell cohesive brand stories, bring marketing ideas to life, and tackle driving customer engagement.
With years of experience as a Creative/Art Director in the apparel industry, I’ve worked with cross-functional teams and led creatives to craft compelling stories that resonate with customers - driving leads, conversion, and loyalty.
I’m endlessly curious and always up for learning something new. That curiosity fuels my leadership style—I encourage teams to stay playful, experiment with fresh perspectives, and step out of their comfort zones.
I am excited about what’s next in the digital space and eager to connect with new teams and projects!
Work Experience
Creative Director Art Director
2024 – Present
Art Director | Digital and Global Assets
P.J. Salvage2019 – 2024
Responsible for art direction, creative brand direction, and asset design. Drawing on the synergy between marketing and branding, directed and designed dynamic multi-channel assets that engaged customers through authentic brand expression. •photoshoot creative direction and production - e-commerce PDP - product flat-lay - editorial & lifestyle •email newsletters with high CTR and conversion rates •social assets and paid media assets •exceeded e-com targets year over year Successful design is a team effort. I enjoyed collaborating with our passionate, creative teams to ideate campaign stories and bring them to life through compelling imagery and design.
Product Development Merchandiser | Women's Knits
P.J. Salvage2011 – 2019
Successful product development happens when everyone is focused on the same goal and understands their timely role in getting there. Directing product development lifecycles has honed my calendaring, project management, and team-synergizing skills.
I worked closely with design to identify and source market trends, develop garments within margins, and maintain the highest quality and vision of their designs.
Through daily communication with vendors, I built strong relationships that were key to my success in negotiating cost and delivery. I've learned that solid relationships are a vital component of achieving goals.
Creative Director | Partner | Children's Apparel
Rag Addix dba SHRNK2002 – 2011
Launching and running an apparel brand is like running on a treadmill backward in heels with 4 hours of sleep—chaotic but thrilling. SHRNK, short for Stylin' Hip Rags for Newborns and Kids, was born from the idea that contemporary moms wanted stylish, not outdated, looks for their kids—‘shrunken down’ versions of their own aesthetic.
Initially, sales reps questioned making black tees for babies, but when Fred Segal and trendy boutiques picked up our first line, we took off. Our black AB/CD tee, a riff on the AC/DC logo, skyrocketed brand awareness. We grew from graphic tees into playwear and sportswear, selling nationwide and securing private label deals with Baby Style, Lester's, and Nordstrom.
Design Director | Designer | Artist
Foria International, Inc.2000 – 2002
I led a team of designers and graphic artists to craft a collection that transcended borders and demographics, designing for five international markets with distinct trends and calendars. Mexico and Puerto Rico favored bright colors and shorter skirts, while Germany’s tastes were more conservative. Brazil and Argentina developed Spring products while others focused on Fall.
In a partnership with Walmart, Foria Intl. launched Bum Equipment for international markets. We researched global trends to create region-specific assortments, presenting trend reports and identifying new product opportunities. Our nimble team designed branded sportswear for men, women, juniors, kids, and infants, coordinating design calendars across regions and seasons—a complex task that required strong project management and team-building skills.
