Julie Watson was 3 years old when she decided that a blue chiffon party dress was the “look of the season” and she refused to wear anything else for an entire summer. From that point on Julie’s passion for apparel was clear, and that became the foundation of her successful sixteen-year career in the retail industry.
After earning a B.A. in Business Administration in 1991, Julie started her career with positions at Carroll Reed and Eagles Eye, and then she spent 8 years in the merchandising division of Talbots. Most recently, Julie was senior director of merchandising for Banana Republic, approving assortment, pricing, marketing, and strategy decisions for a $500 million division of the company’s women’s apparel business.
Julie’s success in developing collections for some of the country’s largest retailers has been grounded in customer insight. After gathering information from store visits, competitive analysis, customer focus groups, and international trend scouting, she worked closely with designers to create collections that satisfied her customer’s unique wardrobe needs. Another key to Julie’s success has been her ability to balance and integrate ”of the moment” trends and timeless wardrobe builders in a way that maximized her customer’s investment. Assorting collections ranging from conservative to contemporary has given Julie the ability to address the style preferences of many different types of women.
In January 2007, Julie decided to trade her corner office for clients’ closets to address what she saw missing in the marketplace: a personalized service rooted in merchandising experience that teaches women how to make getting dressed in the morning effortless.
Since the launch of juliewatsonstyle, Julie has worked with everyone from CEO’s and celebrities to schoolteachers and stay-at-home moms, many of whom travel from other cities to take advantage of Julie’s wardrobe services in Chicago. The secret to Julie’s success is she treats everyone like a star. That’s why customers say; “It’s a really positive experience because she’s not critical. It’s about taking you to another level. Its more fun to get dressed now, because my new wardrobe is a reflection of my personality.” (Chicago Sun Times)
Julie’s merchandising experience also made her an expert in garment fit. She worked with pattern makers, designers, fit models, and fit technicians to ensure that clothing would both fit and flatter. The “fit clinics” Julie conducted across the country educated her about the variety of fit issues women struggle with, and her analysis of the fit offering throughout the retail landscape gave her insight into which brands flatter which body shapes. Julie has traveled to fabric mills and production facilities in the US and abroad, where she observed the manufacturing process from fabric weaving to the sewing line. This technical training on the elements of garment design and construction that determine which fits will flatter different body shapes has given her the skills to tackle a variety of fit frustrations.
Julie’s warmth and her open approach to fashion combined with her extensive industry background quickly established her as a “go-to” expert within the field. When she’s not helping individual clients, Julie consults for ad agencies, national retailers, designers and brokerage firms. She also commentates fashion shows, hosts private shopping nights, and presents unique wardrobe-building seminars to professional groups.
If you’d like to bring Julie’s insight and expertise to your clothing, contact her via email by clicking here.
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