Komar

Amanda Kogan, Director of Merchandising and Design at Komar, began her career in product development, where she developed a strong problem-solving mindset that continues to shape her leadership approach. As her career evolved, her perspective broadened to encompass brand strategy, consumer behavior and sales performance, with a focus on using data to help shape brand trajectories and build intentional strategies. She leads with a collaborative, strategic and adaptable style, balancing creative innovation with realistic execution while empowering teams to work toward shared goals.

Consumer Insight: Balancing Creativity with Innovation

I balance creativity with changing consumer expectations by staying closely connected to the customer. Listening to feedback from wholesale partners and analyzing sales data helps tell the story of what consumers are responding to. Those insights guide design decisions and keep both me and my team agile in a rapidly evolving retail environment.

My team is always ready to pivot based on sales performance, consumer behavior and broader economic changes. We follow an 80/20 approach where 80 percent focused on proven and sellable product, with 20 percent dedicated to newness, innovation and emerging trends. That balance allows us to stay fresh and forwardthinking while still delivering the quality and product consumers expect.

Keys to Strong Leadership: Adaptability and Grace

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my professional journey is that no two situations are ever the same. There are typically multiple factors that impact decision-making, team dynamics and business outcomes, especially in today’s fast-moving retail environment. It’s important to look at situations holistically and balance strategy, creativity, operational realities and market conditions when making decisions.

I strive to lead with adaptability, perspective and grace. I believe strong leadership comes from staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly and creating an environment where teams feel supported and empowered to problem-solve together.

Market Evolution: Adapting to Accelerated Trend Cycles

One of the biggest shifts shaping the industry today is the evolution of the competitive landscape. Directto-consumer channels and digital marketing have changed how brands connect with customers and bring products to market. Consumers are exposed to more options than ever before, which has significantly accelerated the pace of retail.

Merchandising and design today go far beyond simply creating product. It’s about understanding how product, branding, storytelling and marketing all work together to build brand awareness and drive sales. Great product remains the foundation, but the speed of trend adoption has increased dramatically. Brands and retailers must be able to react quickly while still maintaining a strong vision and delivering quality product that resonates with the consumer.

Foundations for Success: Embracing Change

I would advise emerging professionals to be flexible and embrace change. This industry is constantly evolving. Trends emerge quickly, consumer behaviors shift and the retail landscape continues to change as stores open, close and adapt to new ways of shopping. The ability to evolve with the fashion industry is critical for long-term success.

Collaboration across cross-functional teams is also essential in retail. Fostering strong partnerships with peers and team members creates a more productive, innovative and successful work environment. Everyone is working toward the same goal and strong teamwork is what helps bring great ideas and products to life.