With a storied career of over 25 years, Shayne Hart has worked in virtually every area of creative strategy, design, branding, marketing, and retail from conceptual startups to tactical clean-ups. His leadership and experience have also led to opportunities and projects beyond the world of retail and consumer goods, where he has fluidly applied his skill sets toward a range of interests, industries, and segments.
He has worked in critical roles in the formation of independent start-up ventures, as well as held executive creative leadership positions in multi-billion-dollar corporations. He has also advised artists, nonprofit organizations and cultural foundations.
Hart’s early work led to selection and participation in the Neiman Marcus Executive Training Program while still under the leadership of Mr. Stanley Marcus. He has gone on to advise dozens of ventures and brands of all sizes including Procter & Gamble; Miles Kimball; US Nuvo; EFX/Blue Mercury; Carol’s Daughter; American Eagle/Aerie; Stila; Sunflower Children Foundation; ArtsMemphis; Gap, Inc.; Hot Topic; Old Navy; Bath & Body Works; Limited Brands, Inc.; and many others.
In addition to extensive creative direction, brand leadership and product design, Shayne’s portfolio also includes publishing ventures with national publishers Chronicle Books, high profile event production, and even a turn at directing and producing music videos.
As well as operating his own boutique consulting and brand development firm, Chemistry (with partner, Kelly Kovack), Hart served as Managing Director of Studio at Fred Segal and Managing Partner of Studio USA, Inc., the creative and brand development division responsible for creating new proprietary brands and advising on existing national and international brands.
While at Fred Segal, he engineered a comprehensive rebranding and growth initiative, which grew the footprint of the store and increased total business revenue to over $6 million. This led to minority acquisition and a long-term development agreement with international brand conglomerate, Limited Brands, Inc.
In 2004, Founder of Old Navy, Jenny Ming, asked Hart to join her team in the role of Vice President of Design & Merchandising for Non-Apparel & New Business Ventures. In this position, he led expansions into new categories; launched the retailer’s first sub-brands; revitalized its accessories businesses; and introduced programs that included personal care, home fragrance, and even a brand of dog merchandise. This position set him at the creative helm of multiple business categories with revenues in excess of $650 million annually.
Following his work with Gap Inc., Limited Brands Chairman, Les Wexner, and Bath & Body Works CEO, Diane Neal, tapped him to become the corporation’s first creative officer. In this expansive role as Senior Vice President/Creative, he led the creative direction of all brands and sub-brands in the company’s portfolio and the holistic integration of all consumer touch points. At Limited Brands, his role included leadership and strategic direction of all design and creative teams for product design and creation, development, marketing, and in-store experience. Additionally, he directly advised the CEO and brand Presidents on emerging trends and all matters related to creative strategy.
The cumulative revenue of his brand portfolio exceeded $2 billion in annual sales with over 35 million consumer contacts daily.
Hart’s career has been marked not only by its variety but also by his achievements. Many of the brands under his advisement and leadership have gone onto to successful acquisition and expansion. Brands and products created and developed by Hart and his teams have been sold at some of the finest stores in the world like Barneys New York, Liberty London, Mecca Australia, Joyce Hong Kong and others.
Hart’s clients, projects, and ventures have also been featured in the media prominently. This coverage includes WWD, Vogue, The Washington Post, Boutique Hong Kong, Conde Nast Sports for Women, Elle Décor, E Television, MTV, Bravo, Harper’s Bazaar, In Style, VH-1, Logo Network, and others.
Hart is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Twice, he and his teams have received the coveted FiFi award for their product launches. He has also been honored with the Premier 1 Award for his leadership in art & creative direction.
Hart served as an original member of the Procter & Gamble Design Board. He is a regular featured speaker on the subjects of emerging trends, the luxury market, creative leadership, design, and boutique retail at conferences and institutions, including the Big Bang Conference, F.I.T. and Men’s Health & The Future.
Upon returning home to the South, Hart joined BLKBOX as Chief Creative Officer and now as Partner where he creates products and experiences; advises emerging brands, corporations, small companies, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, foundations and cultural organizations in all areas of branding, strategy, creative direction, holistic development, innovation and growth.
Hart lives on his family’s multi-generation dairy farm with too many dogs and his longtime partner, Damon McFadden.