Marchesa
Heather Willig has significant experience in the fashion industry, particularly in production management and development. Their most recent role was as the Director of Production at Marchesa, where they oversaw production for a $25 million wholesale eveningwear business across factories in China and India. Heather managed a team of three and reported to the CEO, troubleshooting and resolving issues related to quality and technical aspects.
Prior to their role at Marchesa, Heather served as the Director of Production at Rebecca Taylor, responsible for overseeing production for a $70 million wholesale business, including both the main line wholesale/retail business and the Off Price division. Heather managed 14 factories in China, India, and the U.S., overseeing 12 deliveries a year.
Before Rebecca Taylor, Heather worked at Adrianna Papell as the Production Manager for the Private Label Division. Heather handled production for private label accounts in the better market, collaborating with factories and agents in China, India, Turkey, Thailand, and the USA. Heather managed various aspects such as garment cost negotiation, fabric and garment testing, factory audits, production timing, and delivery.
Heather also gained experience at companies like Ann Taylor, Goldin Feldman, Onward Kashiyama, and Searle & Co Ltd, where they held roles in production management, product development, and assistant designing.
Heather Willig has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Pre-Law from Binghamton University. Additionally, they hold an Associate's degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Heather also pursued studies in Interior Design at Parsons School of Design - The New School and Real Estate at New York University- Schack Institute of Real Estate.
Marchesa
British born Georgina and Keren met at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. Georgina, a 2001 graduate of the Wimbledon School of Art, began her career as a costume designer. Keren graduated from Brighton Art College in 2000 and subsequently focused on print and embroidery design. Georgina’s draping and design expertise paired with Keren’s textile creations resulted in a business partnership and the establishment of Marchesa in 2004. Elegant eveningwear, inspired by vintage and Asian influences, defines the Marchesa Collection. The beautifully crafted designs fuse high fashion with an eclectic aesthetic. Co-founded by Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, the company’s namesake and muse, Marchesa Luisa Casati, is the noted eccentric European style icon. Based in New York, the Marchesa collection is presently available in Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in the United States, Harrods in London, and specialty boutiques such as Holt Renfrew in Canada, Podium in Russia, Alothman in Kuwait, Boutique1 in Dubai, and Joyce and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.