# Myriah Zaytoun > Senior Product Development & Design Executive | Scaling Global Brands Across Apparel, Home & Collaborations | Growth, Innovation & Operational Excellence Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/myriah www.myriahzaytoun.com I am a senior product development and design leader with 15+ years of experience scaling apparel, home, and lifestyle categories through a balance of creative vision and operational excellence. My career spans startups to global brands, where I’ve built profitable collections, led high-profile collaborations, and developed teams that thrive. At Destira, I scaled production capacity by 300%, managed a 5,000+ SKU assortment, and drove 30% year-over-year profit growth. I directed brand-expanding initiatives—including the launch of swimwear, collaborations with Athleta Girl, and full ownership of print & pattern design. I also managed the production department budget and built the company’s go-to-market calendar, ensuring alignment across design, merchandising, and operations. Previously, as Temporary Director at Pottery Barn, I led collaborations with Monique Lhuillier, Warner Brothers, Lily Pulitzer, and Emily + Meritt, expanding category storytelling while hitting margin and cost targets. At Fanatics, I strengthened compliance across 50+ factories and authored a 150-page manual to guide a $3.1B merger. Beyond business growth, I am passionate about team development and mentorship. I have led teams of designers, developers, and production managers, creating onboarding programs, structured reviews, and career coaching. As an Adjunct Professor at Academy of Art University, I logged 2,700+ hours teaching technical design, preparing the next generation of product leaders. What drives me is creating products that are beautiful, scalable, and profitable—bridging the gap between design inspiration and disciplined execution. ## Work Experience ### Senior Director- Design and Product Development @ Destira Jan 2024 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area • Led the transformation of a regional athletic brand into a national category leader ### Director - Design and Product Development @ Destira Jan 2019 – Jan 2024 | San Francisco Bay Area • Head of Product overseeing end-to-end product strategy, design, and development for Destira, a kids and teen athletic apparel company. • Rebuilt competition leotard category → 650% revenue growth • Increased profitability 115% through cost optimization and sourcing strategy • Scaled production 300% and units produced 228% • Created and scaled a new toddler category, delivering 3.3x revenue growth over two years by aligning product, sizing strategy, and customer demand signals • Owned GTM calendar and cross-functional alignment • Led team of 5 across design, PD, and production • Elevated brand aesthetic to drive premium positioning • Drove $740K in Athleta partnerships • Expanded into swim and new product categories • Directed 300K+ units/year across 5,000+ SKUs ### Director of Product Design, Textiles @ Pottery Barn Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco, California - Directed product design for upholstery, bath, tabletop, linens, and external designer collaborations. - Managed high-profile partnerships with Monique Lhuillier, Emily + Meritt, Lily Pulitzer, and Warner Brothers (Harry Potter, Friends). - Worked cross-functionally with design, sourcing, and merchants to launch new product categories on time and at target costs. - Led vendor communication via PLM, reducing sampling/production delays. - Built executive-level seasonal showrooms for assortment review. Key takeaway: Stepped in to lead during a critical transition, delivering seamless cross-category design leadership and launching marquee collaborations that reinforced Pottery Barn’s reputation for innovation. ### Adjunct Professor- Technical Design, Patternmaking and Sewing @ Academy of Art University Jan 2010 – Jan 2017 - Delivered 2,700+ hours of instruction in fashion design and product development. - Created new curriculum; trained and mentored next-gen design talent. Combined deep technical expertise with mentorship, training future designers and reinforcing leadership as both a practitioner and educator. ### Product Design Manager @ Bebe au Lait, LLC Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | Los Gatos, CA - Bébé au Lait is a premium baby and toddler brand specializing in thoughtfully designed nursing covers, bedding, and modern nursery essentials. - Head Creative; tripled product offerings, securing two design patents. - Grew global footprint, manufacturing across 60+ countries. - Managed collabs with Tokidoki & Sophie the Giraffe. - Improved margins +20% through factory renegotiations and product redesign. Key takeaway: Elevated creative direction and expanded global distribution while improving profitability, proving ability to grow both brand reach and bottom line. ### Founder @ J'dorable Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 | San Francisco Bay Area - Founded and scaled a boutique children’s wear brand, designing heirloom-quality seasonal collections distributed through e-commerce and specialty retailers nationwide. - Directed full product lifecycle from concept, design, sourcing, and vendor management to marketing and sales. - Achieved national recognition, featured in multiple publications and named “New Designer to Watch” by Daily Candy (2011). - Led brand development, retail strategy, and customer engagement, building a loyal following and establishing profitable boutique partnerships. Key takeaway: Demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership, building a brand from the ground up while mastering design-to-delivery execution, vendor management, and market positioning. ### Assistant Designer, Children's Wear @ Ralph Lauren Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 | New York, NY - Designed and developed outerwear, bottoms, denim, and RLX performance line within the Ralph Lauren Children’s Wear division, creating detailed tech packs, CADs, and specs; partnered with cross functional teams to align with brand vision and ensure durability, fit precision, and luxury finish standards. Key takeaway: Built a strong foundation in luxury children’s apparel design and technical development, gaining early cross-functional and global brand experience. ### Production Assistant @ Lela Rose Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 | New York - Managed production for RTW and bridal collections, supporting senior designers in draping, patternmaking, and fittings. - Rendered illustrations published in Women’s Wear Daily, People Magazine, and Pantone books. - Coordinated PLM/vendor communication to minimize delays. Key takeaway: Strengthened technical foundations in luxury apparel, supporting runway and bridal production at a leading American designer. ### Designer- RH Baby and Child @ Restoration Hardware Jan 2007 – Jan 2007 | Corte Madera, CA - Led design and development for the launch of RH Baby & Child, expanding the brand into the newborn–4T category. - Directed the full product lifecycle from concept, sketching, and pattern drafting to prototype development and final production. - Created and managed detailed tech packs, specifications, and repeatable design processes to ensure consistency across the new category. - Collaborated with cross-functional partners in merchandising, sourcing, and production to deliver high-quality, brand-right assortments on accelerated timelines. - Several core designs from this launch remain in the assortment today, underscoring the enduring market impact of the collection. Key takeaway: Established early leadership by owning an end-to-end category launch, demonstrating the ability to scale new product lines and set design standards for a global brand. ## Education ### BFA in Fashion Design Academy of Art University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/myriah-zaytoun-84a5579b - Portfolio: https://www.myriahzaytoun.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/myriah JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/myriah/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13