Bio Summary:
Renee Cosette Pedersen is a highly motivated and results-driven professional with a passion for art, fashion, and design. Renee has a proven track record of success in high fashion retail, with over 15 years of experience in sales. She possesses a deep understanding of the luxury market and a keen eye for cultural trends. Her interpersonal skills, combined with her ability to think creatively and strategically, have enabled her to consistently exceed sales targets and provide exceptional customer service to drive growth for any client or retail organization. She’s also the founder of several start up businesses from a luxury resort wear line she started during covid that she’s in works to relaunching to her art and design consulting company she founded 2017 that she has been a passionate about. Her entrepreneurial spirit has started since she was a young child and has never lost her curious creative child like spirit which she thinks is what sets her consulting services apart from others.
Experience:
Business Owner
Cocobibi
May 2021 – Present (1 yr 10 mos)
(Remote work and travel opportunity)
Introducing COCOBIBI – the epitome of luxury resort wear and millinery. Our collection is inspired by the beauty and sophistication of tropical destinations, capturing the essence of paradise in every piece.
Founded in 2020, Cocobibi is driven by Renee’s passion for fashion, culture, and travel. The brand aims to create timeless and versatile pieces inspired by the people, places, and cultures Renee has had the privilege to meet and experience. Our resort wear pieces are designed to be both stylish and comfortable, making them the perfect addition to any vacation wardrobe. From flowy sundresses to chic swimwear, each piece is crafted from the finest materials to ensure durability and luxury. Our millinery collection combines traditional hat-making techniques with contemporary designs, creating handcrafted hats of the highest standard that look stunning and withstand the elements of your next holiday adventure. Visit us at www.cocobibi.com or follow us on Instagram @cocobibi__.
Skills developed and acquired while starting Cocobibi:
– Developing a business plan and marketing and branding strategy, including social media marketing
– Researching and sourcing products, and meeting with manufacturers
– Fashion design, including custom designing swimsuits and hats
– Photoshoots and editorials
– Brand partnerships and collaborations
– Website and social media management (currently managed by a dedicated team)
Principal Designer
The Muse Emporium LLC
June 2016 – Present (6 yrs 9 mos)
The Muse Emporium is a premium art and design consulting agency that offers unique and innovative solutions to elevate the aesthetic appeal of your projects. Whether you are a business owner, an architect, or a designer, we have the experience and creativity to help you bring your vision to life.
Our services include:
– Art Consulting: Our team of experts will assist you in selecting the perfect pieces of art for your space. We have a vast network of artists and galleries that we can draw from to provide you with a range of options to fit your style and budget.
– Design Services: Our talented designers will work with you to create custom spaces that are both beautiful and functional. From concept to completion, we will help you achieve the look and feel that you desire.
– Space Planning: We will help you optimize the use of your space and create a layout that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Our team will consider all aspects of the space, including lighting, furniture, and accessories, to ensure that the final result is exactly what you had in mind.
– Project Management: Our experienced project managers will oversee all aspects of your project, from budgeting to installation. We will ensure that everything is completed on time and within budget, allowing you to focus on what you do best. We also specialize in brand and art collaborations and commissions, as well as organizing pop-up art events for private, commercial, and residential clients. Visit our website at www.themuseemporium.com (New Site Coming Soon. Currently working by referral only).
Fashion Consultant
Max Mara Fashion Group
Jan 2018 – May 2019 (1 yr 5 mos)
Max Mara is considered one of the top fashion houses in the world. The Italian fashion brand, founded in 1951, is known for its high-quality, timeless clothing designs. The brand offers a wide range of products, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, and outerwear, and is sold in more than 90 countries worldwide.
In my role as a Key Holder at Max Mara, I assisted the manager in running the day-to-day operations of the store, including customer service, sales, and tailoring. I supported the store manager in leading and motivating a team of sales professionals, ensuring store visual standards were maintained, and merchandise was displayed in an attractive and effective manner. I engaged in clienteling to drive business, hosted VIP shopping events and personal styling appointments, conducted regular inventory checks, maintained customer relations, and provided the highest level of customer service. Overall, I contributed to the overall success of the brand and business, meeting sales targets and ensuring a memorable shopping experience for every customer.
Assistant Curator
UP Art Studio
Jul 2016 – Jul 2017 (1 yr 1 mo)
UP Art Studio is a contemporary art gallery based in Houston, Texas, specializing in exhibiting contemporary art from established and emerging artists. The gallery is committed to promoting the work of artists from around the world and creating an inclusive platform for the exhibition and sale of contemporary art. UP Art Studio frequently collaborates with other cultural institutions, higher learning institutions, and non-profit organizations to organize exhibitions and programs that bring new perspectives to the Houston arts community.
As an Assistant Curator and Sales Representative at UP Art Studio, my responsibilities included:
– Researching and selecting works of art to feature in exhibitions
– Coordinating with artists and their representatives to secure loans or acquisitions of works of art
– Writing and editing exhibition catalogs, wall texts, and labels
– Developing and implementing exhibition concepts and themes
– Building and maintaining relationships with clients, collectors, and potential buyers
– Advising clients on the acquisition of works of art and managing sales transactions
– Organizing and participating in gallery events, including opening receptions, artist talks, and public programs
– Developing and implementing marketing and public relations strategies to promote the gallery and its exhibitions
– Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers
– Facilitating pop-up art events at Facebook and Instagram HQ in Austin and curating at Art Basel Miami – Scope Art Show
High Fashion Retail Sales Associate
Josephs Shoes
Jan 2013 – Jan 2016 (3 yrs 1 mo)
Joseph Stores is a unique women’s specialty store that pairs the most beautiful fashion in shoes, handbags, jewelry, apparel, and more. Founded by the Wexner family in 1930, I had the privilege of working at their flagship store in Houston for several years until their brick-and-mortar store at the Highland Village location closed down.
Some of the designers we carried, but not limited to, were Pedro Garcia, Erickson Beamon, Vintage Chanel, Stuart Weitzman, Prada, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Valentino, YSL, Chloe, and more. As a high fashion retail sales consultant, I provided exceptional customer service, assisting customers with their purchases, and ensuring the store presented a high-end shopping experience. My responsibilities included greeting customers, answering questions, following up with special orders, clienteling, styling, providing product information and recommendations, assisting customers with fitting and styling, window displays, visual merchandising, trunk shows, pop-up events, staying knowledgeable about current fashion trends and the products carried in the store, and assisting with inventory management and stock control. Overall, I aimed to provide a high-end shopping experience for customers and the brands represented in the store.
Retail Sales Associate
Prada Group
Apr 2012 – Apr 2013 (1 yr 1 mo)
Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 by Mario Prada. The company began as a leather goods shop in Milan, Italy, and quickly gained a reputation for the high quality of its products. Over the decades, Prada expanded its product line to include clothing, footwear, and accessories for men and women, becoming a trendsetter in high fashion.
In my role as a retail sales associate at Prada, I worked hands-on with the brand, experiencing the unsurmountable attention to detail that goes into managing and running the store day in and day out. I ensured every client had a memorable experience and was satisfied with the products and styling services. Some of my duties included visual merchandising, customer service, inventory management, sales, gift wrapping, packaging, delivering and mailing VIP packages, and helping the team meet sales targets and management’s needs. I gained valuable insights into the high fashion industry and developed a deep respect for the brand.
Education
University of Houston – Downtown – Associates of Arts
Skills
Art, Fashion, Design, Sales, Retail, Apparel, Merchandising, Styling, Visual Merchandising, Retail Sales