Fashion · Brands · Retail · Collections · Turnaround
Not advice from the sidelines. Results from 35 years of doing it.
I help fashion and lifestyle companies fix their collections, sharpen their brands and turn their retail around — based on what I have built, scaled and rescued myself, not on slide decks.
EDC by Esprit, built from scratch on a vertical 12-collection model
Esprit Women Casual restructured — profit tripled
Global CEO, O'Neill International
adenauer&co — founded and built to ~€40M retail plus online
At Esprit, they called me
The Agent of Change.
I have sat in every chair this industry has: shop owner, sales agent, regional manager, division head, president, global CEO, founder. I have built brands from zero, restructured divisions worth billions and been brought in by investors when things went wrong.
That is what I bring to your company: someone who knows what a sell-through report, a selection meeting and a store P&L really mean on a Monday morning — and who will work with your team until the numbers move.
Expertise
Where I make the difference
Collection optimization
Collection architecture, drop rhythm and vertical multi-collection models. Range width vs. depth, OTB, repeat and flash programs, color concepts — so the right product is in the right store at the right time.
Brand positioning & DNA
Sharpening what your brand stands for and making it visible everywhere — product, stores, online shop, social media, shoots and model selection.
Retail & omnichannel
Store network review, store productivity, sell-through steering and the interplay of stores, wholesale and online — from someone who has run all three.
Turnaround & restructuring
Fast, honest diagnosis of what is broken — product, organization, cost or brand — followed by a clear plan and hands-on execution with your team.
International growth
Entering new regions and licensing with the right partners — drawing on leadership in Europe and North America and global responsibility at O'Neill.
Investor & board advisory
For private equity, family offices and owners: operational due diligence on fashion assets, value-creation plans and board or operating-partner roles.
Track record
Built, scaled, turned around
- adenauer&coFounded and built a German premium casual lifestyle brand over 16 years to ~€40M retail revenue across ~59 stores, plus a significant online business.
- American Apparel · 2011Contacted and hired by Lion Capital to help turn the company around alongside its founder.
- O'Neill InternationalGlobal CEO of a €400M international surf and lifestyle brand.
- Esprit · North AmericaPresident North America.
- Esprit · Women CasualRestructured the division from €900M to €2 billion in revenue and tripled profit.
- Esprit · EDCBuilt EDC from zero to over €900M in revenue with a vertical 12-collection model.
- CECIL / CBRGrew the NRW region.
- Own business · 1985Founded retail stores and a sales agency — where it all started: on the shop floor.
Approach
Diagnose. Decide. Deliver.
Diagnose
Sell-through, margins, collection structure, store performance, organization. I look at the numbers and the product — and I talk to the people who make and sell it.
Decide
A clear, prioritized plan: what to stop, what to fix, what to grow. Few priorities, owners and dates — no 80-page report that ends up in a drawer.
Deliver
Hands-on implementation with your team: in the trend and selection meetings, on the shop floor, with your suppliers — until the results show in the numbers.
Offers & fees
From a two-hour session to a full turnaround. Book what you need.
The same experience for every size of company — scaled to your stage and budget. Transparent prices, no surprises.
Start-ups & small businesses
Founders, young labels, independent retailers
Strategy Session
2 hours · video call or in Palma
An honest outside view on your collection, brand, pricing or store concept — with a written summary of the next steps.
Founder Workshop
1 day on-site · plus 1 follow-up call
A full day with you and your team: collection plan, brand positioning, sales channels and a 90-day action plan.
Founder Mentoring
Minimum 3 months
Two sessions a month plus short-notice availability for decisions on product, buying, hiring and investors.
Established brands & retailers
Mid-size fashion and lifestyle companies
Business Diagnostic
Fixed price · 10 days over 4 weeks
Full review of collection, sell-through, margins, stores, online and organization. Ends with a prioritized action plan for management.
Collection Partner
Up to 4 days per month · minimum 6 months
In your trend and selection meetings: collection architecture, colors, repeat and flash programs, OTB steering and brand DNA.
Day Rate
Single days or short projects
For specific questions: a store-network review, a supplier visit, a management workshop or a second opinion on a collection.
Corporates & investors
Large groups, private equity, family offices
Turnaround & Interim
Monthly retainer + success fee on request
Leading the turnaround of a brand, division or region — as interim executive or embedded with management.
Investor Due Diligence
Per target · typically 1–3 weeks
Operational assessment of a fashion or retail asset before you buy — product, brand, stores, team and a realistic value-creation plan.
Board & Keynotes
Board seats · operating partner · keynotes from €6,500
Advisory or supervisory board seats, operating-partner roles for portfolio companies, and keynotes for leadership events.
Fees & invoicing
Net prices. All fees plus VAT. EU business clients: reverse charge.
Day rate. One day = up to 8 hours on-site or remote. Half days at 60% of the day rate.
Travel. Travel and accommodation at cost. Travel days billed at 50%.
Payment. Sessions and workshops paid on booking. Projects 50% at start, 50% on completion. Retainers monthly in advance. 14 days net.
Cancellation. Free up to 7 days before the date; 50% thereafter.
Confidentiality. NDA on request before any first conversation.
Contact
Let's talk about your business.
A first conversation is confidential and without obligation. The fastest way to reach me is directly — by email or WhatsApp. I answer personally.
Based in Palma de Mallorca · working internationally
German · English