design:retail - April/May 2018 - 33

033
LATEST OBSESSION:
MY MINI DACHSHUND, HUEY.
GABRIEL FERNANDEZ

Director, Environmental Branding & Design
American Express
Age 34
Fernandez has had a career of steady growth and accomplishments working in interactive
marketing with Charles Schwab & Co., marketing and retail/experience strategy for Apple and
strategy for HUGE Inc. before finding his place on the American Express team. He started in
product brand and marketing and then transitioned into global advertising and brand management. As the director of environmental branding and design, he has been an instrumental
member of the American Express team, leading the stunning designs of The Centurion Lounges
over the last two years. In 2017, Fernandez launched The Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia, as
well as The Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong, American Express' very first international location.
My first job was: On a dairy farm in northern California.
I'm inspired by: Simplicity.

MARIA EMILIA
ESCUDERO
Senior Designer
MNA
Age 31

Escudero was born and raised
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After
graduating from Rhode Island
School of Design (RISD) with a
dual bachelor's degree in Architecture and Fine Art, she returned
to San Juan to work with her
mentor, Luis Flores. After gaining
experience in urban planning and
public institutional projects, she relocated to New York to
pursue residential and commercial projects. She worked as
an independent consultant until finding her place on the
MNA team and gaining her introduction to retail design.
Escudero has worked with a variety of clients with the keen
ability to tailor each project to the specific needs and brand.
She is able to translate a brand into a physical space using
material and texture to reinforce the design. Whether she
is working on a complete interior or a custom fixture, she
maintains the greatest attention to every detail. She has
worked on projects for brands such as Tiffany & Co. and
flagship projects for Club Monaco, Aquatalia and Lolli & Pops
Confectionary. She served as the project manager for the
Lilly Pulitzer rollout of more than 20 stores throughout the
eastern United States. Escudero has a passion for retail and
transforming physical space into the embodiment of a brand.
Biggest fear: Not leaving behind a legacy.
Pet peeve: Negativity.
I'm inspired by: Natural light and trees.

JANE HARGREAVES
Design Manager
sweetgreen
Age 34

MARY HANNAH
FOUT

Senior Marketing
Manager - Showroom/
Builder Channel
Ferguson
Age 37
Fout continually elevates
Ferguson in the kitchen and
bath industry with impactful retail design methods
to position the company
as a thought leader. As the
senior marketing manager
for the company's designer,
builder and remodeler
channel, she has led numerous marketing programs and initiatives. Fout serves as the lead
trend advisor for Ferguson's showroom brand and is a respected
authority in the kitchen and bath industry. She has represented
the company on numerous industry panels, committees and
associations, including National Kitchen + Bath Association
(NKBA), National Association of the Remodeling Industry
(NARI) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). As
a quotable resource and public speaker, she shares insights on
topics such as product trends, customer loyalty and integrated
marketing solutions.
Guilty pleasure: Ranch dressing and reality TV (together or
independently).
What I love most about retail: The art of showcasing product.
The best advice I ever received: If opportunity isn't knocking,
build a door.

CAROLINE VICTORIA
HAGERTY

Global Assistant Manager,
Visual Merchandising
GLAMGLOW (a skincare brand
owned by Estée Lauder)
Age 29
Hagerty fell in love with retail design
and visual merchandising in Los
Angeles while working as a display
artist for Banana Republic at its
flagship location in The Grove. And
she has been fully committed to the
industry ever since. Her next stop
was the Los Angeles headquarters
of Forever 21, where she was a visual
retail designer. A highlight for her was
completing a multi-store installation
that she designed and produced to
celebrate the 2016 Olympics in Rio
de Janeiro. During her time with
Forever 21, she also designed a pegboard display with moving parts
to support merchandising flexibility. While freelancing, Hagerty
transitioned into the beauty industry,
working with Hourglass Cosmetics
until receiving an opportunity with
GLAMGLOW, where she now serves as
assistant manager of global visual merchandising. Hagerty's work is always
ahead of the curve and conceived with
sustainability in mind.
My next project is: Activating
GLAMGLOW'S My Little Pony
collection-it's totally adorable!
Latest obsession: Lavender Truffle
ice cream.
Currently binge-watching: "Queer Eye"
on Netflix.

BIGGEST FEAR: SPIDERS, SNAKES AND
MISTAKES THAT CAN'T BE FIXED.

sweetgreen was one of design:retail's 2018 Brands to Watch, so it's no surprise that Hargreaves, in her role as design
manager, is a young and accomplished retail professional to keep an eye on. She helps bring life to sweetgreen's
farm-to-table experience, infusing a community feel into the physical environment. While some people in the
retail design industry are happy to follow a prototype, Hargreaves excels in creating a new one. She approaches
each project with a new and fresh set of eyes and delivers innovative ideas with each location. She has the ability to
achieve the delicate balance of implementing branding ideas while respecting existing architectural features. The
company seeks real estate that is distinctive with an interesting history, and she elevates the brand within these
spaces to create engaging experiences that foster sweetgreen's sense of community. Prior to sweetgreen, Hargreaves
was a project manager for Forever 21 overseeing the design and documentation of new retail stores globally, with a
focus on Europe and Latin America. Fun fact: she received her interior design education in Australia and began her
career there working with Robert Mills Architect. Her early work experience also includes leading the design, documentation and project management of more than 30 new and remodeled stores for Sushi Sushi across Australia.
What motivates me: I will be forever chasing the perfect photo of my projects.
What I love most about retail: The fast pace.

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