In The Media

The Business of Fashion interview with Elida Olsen: Business Journals Accent

For years, Elida Olsen, owner of the New York – based consulting firm  Elida Olsen et Cie, has been striving to reach one goal: to bring her  client base the business of fashion – how to market, merchandise and  develop it. Not only does Olsen bring an uncanny sense of fashion to her  manufacturer, designer and retail accounts, but years of number  crunching as a retail buyer gave her that added edge, which is so  necessary today. Plus, as a consultant to many different types of firms,  Olsen gives a broader industry overview and prospective than most  in-house merchandisers and buyers.

Olsen began her career in fashion with the Federated department store  training squad, moving to Franklin Simon, August Max and Bergdorf  Goodman. Before forming her own company, she returned to Federated's  A&S division for five years, where she was Director of all men’s  fashion, then shortly promoted to Director of Fashion Merchandising and  Product development for the entire organization.  Along with four full-time employees and free-lancers, Olsen now advises  her clients on the latest international R-T-W and fashion accessory  trends; always keeping salability and profitability in mind. “One of her  greatest strengths is the ability to identify and interpret global  trends, so that our buyers could convert them into volume business,”  says Tony Constantino, Vice President of men’s sportswear for Federated  Merchandising, in a letter of recommendation for Olsen.  “I describe myself as analytical, always asking ‘why?’” says Olsen. But  that’s not the only edge she has on fashion marketing. “I am a former  retail buyer who was on the firing line."   Olsen keeps an overnight bag packed, just in case she is suddenly called away on business. 

Elida Olsen Style Editor: Today Newspapers