Roopal Patel has been appointed fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue. Patel will be tasked with forecasting trends that will influence the buying each season for Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as articulating the luxury retailer’s message and scouting for new designers. She was previously running her own creative consulting agency called Roopal Patel Consulting, which she founded in 2012. At her consulting agency, Patel focused on brand development and positioning, merchandising retail strategy, and trend forecasting. She was previously executive fashion director at Moda Operandi and held roles at Neiman Marcus for more than a decade, as senior fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and senior accessory market editor at Neiman Marcus.
“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 president of Saks Fifth Avenue Marc Metrick in a press statement. “I am confident that her demonstrated expertise in trend direction, combined with Tracy [Margiolies’] 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.” Saks Fifth Avenue underwent a brand revamp last September under the then president Marigay McKee and CMO Mark Briggs, both of whom came from Harrods in London. Saks unveiled a new look for its catalogs, a new packaging design, and a personalized in-home shopping service. McKee was later ousted as president in April and Metrick was appointed to the role.
Shortly thereafter, Tracy Margolies, formerly of Bergdorf Goodman, was appointed chief merchant at Saks. Patel’s hire is the latest under the new Saks regime. Now that next season’s collection is being shown starting today, it will be interesting to see how the new team shapes what will be in stores next season and the Saks Fifth Avenue brand. “I am truly honored to join Saks Fifth Avenue during this exciting and dynamic time,” said Patel in a press statement. “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.”
