Reviews
“Stephen is a talented designer and leader. He is committed to studying and understanding the customer and taking risks to move his style forward. Stephen listens to all his stakeholders in the collaborative process, incorporating data into his creative design. Stephen is a mentor and empathetic leader who supports and encourages all members of the team to have a voice in the business.”
- Mary Beth Sheridan, Group Vice President: Merchandising, Digital, Product and Design, Macy’s 2/2020
“You brought a special mix of knowledge, craft and creativity to MMG and will very much be missed.”
- Durand Guion, VP, Fashion Office, Macy’s 2/2020
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with someone as talented as you. I’ve learned a lot in the last six months just watching you approach your job and brands with such a critical eye that moved them forward.”
- Matt Sebra, Sr. Director, Fashion Office, Macy’s 2/2020
“Stephen is an experienced and talented designer. We worked together for three years and together grew our brands +$15M. Stephen is a fantastic collaborator, understands his customer, is a great listener and a pleasure to work with. He has a superb resume, having worked for most of the major classic / traditional brands. He is an expert in his field, I learned from him everyday about fabrics, yarns, and construction of garments. He is an excellent communicator and able to clearly explain complex strategies to his team. He is also a truly great leader - his team trusts him, he genuinely cares for his people, he takes the time to develop his team and he has fantastic engagement metrics as a result. Any company would be lucky to have Stephen!”
- Denise Ozpinar, Buyer, Macy’s 2/2020
“Stephen, we really are losing such an amazing teacher, thinker, leader, and creative problem solver. You always have the greatest insight and way of explaining why things may be happening. You are an expert in cultural influences and how they affect today’s world. You empowered, trusted, and encouraged me to share my opinion and be heard and I am forever grateful for everything you have taught me.”
- Austin Bruening, Assistant Designer, Macy’s 2/2020
“Dear Stephen, From my first day (from the beginning of the interview process really), I’ve been impressed with your balance of authority and tact. Thank you for...
- Defending Design in meetings and looking great doing it!
- Hosting Book Club and seeing value in teams having fun together
- Making a team where it was safe to act and feel like a family
- Being unapologetically yourself and setting a great example
- Listening and making me feel like what I have to say is important
Thank you for your wit and kindness.”
- Mitchell Fehrle, Assistant Designer, Macy’s 2/2020
“You pushed and inspired me. You gave me direction and at the same time, the space for me to achieve the best designs. I learned so many valuable tools from you...designing with a customer focus, trend research, market shopping, building of color palettes. I will never, ever be able to thank you enough.”
- Peter Donnellan, Sr. Designer, Macy’s 2/2020
“Stephen worked for me as the Design Director for Men’s Club Room and Tasso Elba Sportswear. He is a student of all things traditional guiding his brands to represent the best of American and European Traditional. His eye for detail, color and pattern are impeccable. He has managed large diverse teams and worked to balance their talents and personality to get the best work from each individual. His relationships with his buyers, DMM’s and our Fashion Office continue to make him an asset to his team. When there are many opinions in the room, Stephen is able to synthesize and make sense of the direction to keep his team on track.”
- Angela Guillaume, DMM-Vice President, Ross Stores, 8/2018
“Stephen is the most humble person I ever seen although he is so successful in his field.”
- Larry Chen, President / Owner, Suntex Garments, 12/2016
“It was a pleasure working with Stephen Chiu. He made sure it was a comfortable working environment. As far as share his knowledge Stephen is an open book. Very informative and opening willing to teach. I find this a very important element to have when leading a team. I’m very grateful to have worked with Stephen and his team. I look forward to future opportunities to work with him again.”
- Vincent Lake, Designer, Macy’s, 10/2012
“Stephen is the kind of leader who everyone wished they worked for. He has an uncanny ability to bring out his team member’s best qualities. Definitely a very inspiring and influential Design Director to work for.”
- Paul Kierulf, Designer, Macy’s 3/2012
“Stephen has revitalized the Club Room label through his design expertise, attention to detail, and partnership with both his product management teams and division buyers. My division has grown this business by 13.0% over the last two years by working closely with Stephen and his design staff. His ideas are innovative, and the results have been the highlight of the Men’s Traditional Sportswear business at Macy’s Inc. He is talented, inspirational, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend him for any position he might pursue.”
- Lonnie Polska, Buyer, Macy’s 2/2009
“Stephen is an extremely inspirational leader. His keen eye for product and his ability to translate concepts into reality make him a force in the apparel world. He is extremely generous with his time and has a wonderful way with people.
- Ben Ewy, VP Global Product Design, Research and Development at Carhartt, 11/2008
“Stephen was a great Director and always a source of inspiration. He helped build the brand which saw growth through his time at Chaps. He managed his team effectively while offering much support where needed. It would be a great pleasure to work with him again in the future.”
- John Bonawitz, Business Development Manager, JCB Design, INC, 8/2008
“Stephen was a great source of inspiration while we were at Nautica; going out of his way to get all creative heads together regularly to help build the brand ID across divisions and garner success.”
- Jessica Bacigalupi, VP of Design Womenswear, Nautica, 2/2008