About Aaron Lacy

Thanks for visiting my Portfolio! I try to "tell a story" within each display and hope that the viewer can experience the story from just a single “chapter.” The images shown here were taken from a cell phone. Each display is set up without the help of a planogram.

Here is a little more career information about myself.

Performance Profile

Fifteen years experience designing emotionally connecting, sales inducing displays. Six years experience training all visual merchandisers for Von Maur department stores. Creative and innovative in fashion design, with an eye for recognizing and establishing trends. Hard worker, self-motivated, team player with a proven track record of excellence in the field of fashion and visual merchandising.

Core Skills

·  Highly creative and innovative

·  Fashion forward

·  High attention to detail

·  Skilled spatial planner

·  Proficient with props

·  Ability to influence creative direction

·  Effective leader

·  Team builder

·  Proven ability to multitask

Experience

Store Visual Merchandiser (Von Maur)  April 2021-Present

• Design, implement and maintain displays (tables, windows and in-store vignettes) for 120,000 square feet, consisting of 12 women’s departments, men’s, children’s, shoes and gifts

• Style and accessorize all forms

• Implements interdepartmental floor moves and floor sets with sales team

• Design and maintain flower arrangements store wide

• Maintain and post all store signage and sale promotions

Corporate Visual Trainer (Von Maur)  June 2011-March 2018

·  Trains all new visual associates company wide on merchandising guidelines and visual standards

·  Collaborated with team, including Director of Visual Merchandising and Store Design, in creation of new visual merchandising manual

·  Designs and manages the installation of store window displays where appropriate

·  Acted as liaison between visual associates and corporate during new store setups

·  Selected clothing and accessories for corporate brochure, national televised commercial spots and local morning show segments

·  Collaborated with House of Current on corporate brochure production by selecting shots/images consistent with Von Maur visual standards

·  Lead and manage small team of visual associates in the pre-setup of new stores; duties include but not limited to, antique placement, artwork installation and the assembly of forms and furniture

·  Directs setup of several departments, including but not limited to, Activewear, Better Sportswear and Contemporary, from initial stages to completion of new store setups

·  Met with lead visual merchandisers from Vera Bradley to discuss the implementation of merchandising guidelines into Von Maur that was consistent with both brands

·  Implements new visual merchandising ideas into stores while remaining consistent with Von Maur visual guidelines

·  Selected to assist in the regional openings of new boutique concept store Dry Goods; duties included but not limited to, styling of forms, prop selection and installation and florals

Visual Merchandiser (Von Maur)     August 2007-April 2021

·  Design, implement and maintain displays (tables, windows and in-store vignettes) for 140,000 square feet, consisting of 12 women’s departments, men’s, kid’s and gifts

·  Style and accessorize all forms

·  Implements interdepartmental floor moves and floor sets with sales team

·  Design and maintain flower arrangements store wide

Sales Associate- Men’s Concepts (Von Maur)     June 2007- August 2007

·  Assisted customers with fit, garment information and made suggestions based on criteria provided by the customer

·  Personal shopper

·  Kept merchandise organized and folded, in size runs, stocked and appealing

Mammalogist- Alaska Sea Life Center     September 2005- April 2007

·  Regularly trained and maintained captive collection, consisting of ten harbor seals and three Steller sea lions

·  Responsible for routine husbandry care of captive collection

·  Collaborated with research scientists with data collection, including but not limited to, blood collection, blubber biopsies and fecal and saliva samples

·  Solved daily animal behavior problems with training team

·  Maintained meticulous records of animal behavior

·  Communicated effectively any and all issues related to animal care and well being with husbandry staff

Honors & Awards

·  Promoted to All-Star (highest level of achievement for a non-sell employee) after only 4 years

·  Work was frequently selected as example of displays to incorporate into all stores

·  Repeatedly given special projects from the buying team and corporate

·  Top producer for department after first period of working as sales associate

·  Won company wide junior department and cosmetic display contest

Education

University of Arkansas  August 2000- May 2004 

Bachelor of Science: Zoology