Anastasia Gurskaya - Al Tayer Group, Bloomingdales Dubai - Buyer
Your mentor, Anastasia Gurskaya, is currently making her mark as an Buyer for Bags and Accessories at Al Tayer Group in Dubai.
She plays a pivotal role in selecting and managing an impressive portfolio of over 90 luxury accessories brands for prestigious retail outlets, including Harvey Nichols Dubai, Bloomingdales Dubai & E-com, and Bloomingdales Kuwait & E-com. Beyond her responsibilities in the Middle East, Anastasia lends her expertise as a consultant to Cloudset, the pioneering Russian fashion-sharing platform, advising on business strategy and brand selection.
With three years of experience in Designer Womenswear and Buying, Anastasia's career includes a significant tenure at the Rainbowwave Showroom in London. There, she worked with high-profile brands like Peter Pilotto, Gabriella Hearst, and Jonathan Simkhai. Her keen eye for emerging talent and trends led her to collaborate closely with Natasha Goldenberg, an internationally renowned stylist, influencer, and former creative director of TSUM Moscow.
Anastasia and her team have been trailblazers in the fashion industry, being among the first globally to recognize and invest in now-prominent brands such as Khaite from their inaugural season. They also pioneered the introduction of Jacquemus, Cecilie Bahnsen, Peter Do, and Casablanca to the Russian market. Her forward-thinking approach and ability to anticipate market trends make her an invaluable mentor for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of the fashion industry.
RETAIL CONNECTIONS
- Al Tayer Group
- Harvey Nichols Dubai
- Bloomingdales Dubai
- Bloomingdales Kuwait
- TSUM Russia
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
- English
- Russian
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Jillian Xin – LABELHOOD, Buying & Merchandising Director Joins WE are COCO
Jillian Xin is an experienced fashion buyer and merchandising expert with a strong background in supporting young designers and facilitating market entry into Greater China. Currently, she leads buying and merchandising for LABELHOOD, where she continues to foster new talent and design collections that resonate with emerging trends.
Jillian's expertise spans across China, Hong Kong, and the UK, having worked at prestigious organizations such as Lane Crawford and XINLELU. With her entrepreneurial spirit, she was instrumental in launching XINLELU, a platform that introduced independent fashion labels to Shanghai and gained significant recognition in the market.
"Fashion is about creativity, but it’s also about understanding the business landscape, especially when entering a complex market like China. My mission is to guide brands in both their creative and commercial strategies, helping them thrive in the global fashion market," says Jillian Xin.
Jillian’s ability to bridge the gap between creative vision and market strategy makes her a valuable mentor for emerging designers and brands looking to break into the competitive and rapidly evolving fashion markets in China.
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Senior Buyer at Stitch Fix - Whitney Parkhill Joins WE are COCO
Whitney Parkhill's vast experience across Bloomingdale's, Target, and Stitch Fix has equipped her with the knowledge to guide both established brands and new retailers through an ever-evolving market. Whitney’s focus on data, vendor relationships, and trend analysis has made her a forward-thinking leader in the retail space.
“I’m excited to help new brands find their unique niche and build collections that resonate with the right client,” says Whitney.
LANGUAGES:
English
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WE ARE COCO Launches Global Private Shopping Services, Led by Pippa Mellor, former Net-a-Porter UK & EU Personal Shopping Manager
WE are thrilled to announce the appointment of Pippa Mellor as the Head of VIC Services at WE ARE COCO.
With over 15 years of experience in the luxury fashion retail and e-commerce industry, Pippa brings her extensive expertise in private shopping and client relations to lead our new Global Private Shopping Services.
In this role, Pippa will spearhead the development of a global network of private stylists across the U.S. and the Middle East, acting as a direct point of contact for WE are COCO brands and private shoppers at prestigious our partner retailers such as Harrods, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Farfetch.
"I’m thrilled to be joining the board of mentors at We Are COCO and working alongside an inspiring team of industry leaders. With 15 years of experience in luxury sales and client development, I’m excited to help brands expand their DTC sales through innovative global luxury private shopping and client development strategies." - Pippa Mellor
Her responsibilities will include providing comprehensive brand training, client services, product updates and exclusive launches, trunk shows and sales incentives.
Pippa’s career includes high-level leadership roles at NET-A-PORTER, MATCHES, Mulberry, and Liberty London. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to build and implement loyalty strategies that nurture existing clients and attract new high-value prospects.
