John Storey

Design management professor

Professor of design management, Fall 2021–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

President and founder, Modmentum Inc.
Founded boutique consulting firm specializing in brand strategy and development, design collaborations, and sustainable/circular fashion. Clients range from brands like MCM, Lacoste, Victorinox (makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife), Bata Heritage (footwear), French skiwear brand Fusalp, and JNBY Group (China) to cultural creators and icons like the Campana Brothers (Brazil) and M&M's chocolate candy.

General manager, 2000–01, Christophe Lemaire S.A., Paris
Restructured medium-sized French fashion house with a staff of 18 and an annual budget of 25 million French francs. Oversaw development of all aspects of the brand including communications, commercial, retail, and administrative activities. Maintained existing distribution agreements with Japan market and negotiated new agreements for Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China markets. Established ties with sales agents and public relations consultants in Europe and USA. Negotiated and finalized a creative director contract for designer Christophe Lemaire with Lacoste for their clothing and accessories divisions.

International Sales and PR director, 1998–2000, Ato Co. Ltd., Tokyo
Launched the 'ato' menswear label on the international market. Hired and managed European sales agents and press office and expanded stock lists to 13 multi-brand shops worldwide in two seasons. Recruited and trained domestic press and commercial staff. Worked closely with the ato designer and company president to conceive and implement strategy on both the domestic and international market level. Organized and oversaw the Tokyo fashion shows and showrooms in Japan and Europe.

Press attaché, 1996–98, Comme Des Garcons Co. Ltd., Tokyo
Served as liaison between Tokyo headquarters and the New York and Paris press offices. Assisted in the organization of shows in Paris and Tokyo. Handled all media relations for the Asia Pacific region and international media in Japan. Interpreted for designers Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe in addition to other senior company staff. Responsible for English-language materials including direct mailers, reports and interviews. Researched and developed ideas for special art-related exhibitions and events at the flagship store in Tokyo.

Senior editor, 1994–96, ez Magaine, Tokyo
Developed the overall concept for this bilingual pop-culture lifestyle and entertainment monthly. Recruited writers, editors and photographers in Japan and in major cities around the world. Commissioned and wrote interviews, features and short news items. Assisted advertising department with placement and production of foreign ads. Supported the public relations section in planning special projects and events.

Managing editor, 1992–94, Tokyo Journal, Tokyo
Responsible for commissioning, writing and editing features and columns in addition to entertainment listings for this monthly city magazine. Managed a full-time staff of 10 in the editorial department. Also served as the style columnist.

Writer/editor, 1989–92, The Japan Times, Fukuoka and Tokyo
Hired as a freelance writer covering the Kyushu area of Japan for the domestic news desk. Later relocated to Tokyo to work as a native English editor on the domestic news desk and mastered the art of writing headlines in real time. Continued writing human-interest and profiles for various sections of the newspaper. Appointed style columnist for a weekly page dubbed "Fad & Fashion."

ESL teacher, 1989–91, Seinan Gakuin High School, Fukuoka
Taught English language conversation at this prestigious boys' high school. Also proposed, developed, and taught course in Japanese literature in translation for foreign exchange students attending the high school.