Roopal Patel, a fashion consultant specializing in luxury retail, fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries, was appointed Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s pre-eminent specialty retailers renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, last week.
Saks Fifth Avenue, which is part of the Hudson’s Bay Company brand portfolio, and operates 38 full-line stores in 22 states, five international licensed stores and saks.com, the company’s online store, announced September 10 that Patel has been appointed Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue, effective immediately. She will report to Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchant of Saks Fifth Avenue.
The company said Patel’s appointment will strengthen the role of the newly shaped fashion office at Saks within the merchant organization, the fashion industry and ultimately consumers.
“Roopal is a respected force in the industry with high energy and a deep understanding of today’s luxury fashion consumer, and we are so pleased to welcome her to Saks,” said Marc Metrick, President of Saks Fifth Avenue. “I am confident that her demonstrated expertise in trend direction combined with Tracy’s leadership in fashion merchandising will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the brand and position Saks as a modern and relevant fashion authority in luxury retailing.”
Patel’s experience and expertise speaks to the multifaceted approach necessary to succeed in today’s global marketplace. She spent many years working in luxury retailing as senior fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and as senior fashion director for its parent company, Neiman Marcus, where she broadened her expertise, learning how luxury works beyond major cities.
She was previously a market editor at Style.com at its launch and also worked at Ralph Lauren’s Club Monaco. Most recently, Miss Patel served as executive fashion director at e-retailer Moda Operandi.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best retailers, industry leaders and designers in the fashion industry,” says Patel, according to Roopal Patel Consulting, a creative consultancy she founded in 2012 with a focus on brand development and positioning, merchandising retail strategy, and trend forecasting. “Roopal Patel Consulting allows me the opportunity to use my past experiences to support future initiatives in the fashion industry,” she earlier said.
At Saks Fifth Avenue Patel will play a key role in forecasting the trends that underpin all of Saks’ buying activities, articulating the store’s seasonal fashion message, and scouting fresh designers and collections.
Patel said, “I am truly honored to join Saks Fifth Avenue during this exciting and dynamic time. I have long admired Saks Fifth Avenue’s iconic history and am thrilled to be on the team. I look forward to working with Marc, Tracy, and the entire Saks team to bring an elevated fashion message to the customer and build a strong future for Saks.”
Patel is regularly quoted as a fashion industry insider by such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue India and Vogue Japan.
Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670, is North America’s oldest company, one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury specialty retailers, comprises 38 U.S. stores, five international licensed stores and saks.com. The Company also operates Home Outfitters, Canada’s largest kitchen, bed and bath specialty superstore with 67 locations. Hudson’s Bay Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
