Mark Brashear, President Façonnable, VP Nordstrom, RMI Alumni '83. Erin Holl, RMI graduating class '03
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Façonnable is truly a worldwide brand, as it operates boutiques throughout Western Europe, Asia, Southern and Northern America. Here in the United States alone, Façonnable operates five boutiques: New York, Beverly Hills, Dallas, Coast Mesa, and Florida while still maintaining a small line at all Nordstrom specialty retail stores.
About two years ago, Nordstrom acquired Façonnable delegating many of the company's major decisions to the Nordstrom corporate offices located in Seattle, Washington. Under the watchful eye of RMI alum Mark Brashear, Façonnable has been able to grow in size, while still maintaining the brand's unwavering commitment to superior craftsmanship and luxurious fabrics. Each Façonnable garment can be considered a true masterpiece – from unique zipper pulls, collar attachments to fabric details.
While spending my summer in Seattle as Façonnable's first intern, I was immersed in all that encompasses this remarkable brand. Working under Jolie Regier, Women's Product Merchandiser, I was teamed up with everyone from buyer liaisons to technical designers and production planners. Every day, I was given the opportunity to shadow someone new and really educate myself in what it is they spend their days working on.
Half way through my internship, I was given the opportunity to fly to Southern California with Jolie and join her in the Fall/Winter trunk show at the Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa boutique stores. While at the trunk show, I was able to work with Erin Tanaka, Women's Boutique Buyer. By working with Erin, I saw what her daily routine was like and really understood just how different the Nordstrom stores are compared to the boutiques.
Although my time at Nordstrom and Façonnable flew by, I walked away from the experience with a better understanding of both companies and a greater appreciation for Façonnable's clothes. In the end, I was most impressed with everyone in Façonnable's corporate office, as they were all truly remarkable and a joy to work for.
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