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Averyl Oates

Fashion and Business Management Consultant, Averyl Oates Fashion

The Harvey Nichols veteran and former commercial director of Galeries Lafayette is commercially minded and pragmatic about the demands of her roles.

Biography

Averyl Oates currently serves as a fashion and business management consultant at Averyl Oates Fashion. As the former managing director of New York's 10 Corso Como, Oates worked closely with the luxury concept store's founder Carla Sozzani while running the US store until December 2020. Prior to starting in June 2017, Oates was commercial director in charge of fashion divisions at Galeries Lafayette.

Oates built up extensive retail experience working in managerial positions in luxury design houses and high profile retail outlets. Having completed a bachelor's degree in music, Oates turned to retail shortly after her graduation, securing a role as a buyer at multi-brand store Club 21.

In 1998, Oates moved to New York, joining Donna Karan International as general merchandising manager and subsequently vice president. Following a brief tenure at Emanuel Ungaro in Paris, Oates returned to London in 2001 as general merchandising director of Harrods, before moving to Harvey Nichols in 2005, where she remained until 2012.

She also briefly worked as commercial director of the short-lived luxury start-up Luxup, alongside Harriet Quick of British Vogue, in early 2012. 

Joining Galeries Lafayette in 2013, Oates oversaw the Parisian department store's product offerings within its men’s, women’s, children’s and accessories divisions, along with store layout and strategic merchandising. She was also charged with the position of deputy commercial director within the group’s department stores, overseeing the group’s expansion into countries such as China.

Oates helped establish a more fashion-forward aesthetic for the store’s clothing departments, which have faced competition from other leading department stores such as Printemps. She stepped down from her role after only a year and a half at the store, following the completion of the Autumn Winter 2015 buy.

Career

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette

Commercial Director of Fashion Divisions

2013 - 2015

Paris, France

Luxup

Luxup

Commercial Director

2012 - 2013

London, UK

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols

Buying Director

2004 - 2011

London, UK

Education

Leeds University

Leeds University

Vital Statistics

Nationality

France/ United Kingdom

Location
France
Member since
2013

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What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.