Meredith reflects on her unique career path, recent PR highlights, and what she loves about the Ann Taylor offices in New York City. 

Tell us about your role. 

I am the SVP of Public Relations for KnitWell Group. Fashion PR has really changed over the last ten-plus years. Magazines are basically defunct and influencers and social media are the primary brand awareness engines. PR is the connective tissue between brand, media, social media and influencers. Keeping the brands top of mind and culturally relevant is our top priority. A few of the ways that PR does this is via influencer partnerships, editorial placements, VIP dressing, brand events, monthly mailings and key gifting, and monthly trend pitches. No two days are ever the same in PR! Being able to think fast and pivot are two key traits one must possess.

How did you discover this is what you wanted to do?

I always knew I wanted to work in beauty or fashion, but I didn't know exactly what or how. When I was in college, majoring in public relations or even marketing was, well, not prevalent. Now these majors are extremely popular. I worked many jobs before I finally landed at a small beauty and fashion PR firm which was my entry into the business. I really "took" to PR and loved the thrill of the chase — pitching a story to an editor about a new product or a new collection and the editor writing about it. Dressing Samantha Jones [a character] from [TV series] Sex and the City in a Nicole Miller leopard dress was also one of my first-time PR thrills. After working at Nicole Miller my career really took off — working for Kenneth Cole Productions and then Talbots and then taking over the KnitWell Group brands. PR is a very people-person business and the relationships you have and have built throughout your career journey are the foundation of everything.

What would you share with someone considering opportunities in PR?

Get relevant experience — work for a PR agency, a social media/influencer marketing agency, a dotcom — build your skills and understand the business and what PR entails. Be prepared for mundane tasks at your first job. I always tell people these are not mundane. You will learn through osmosis — privy to press and influencer names, strategy decks, budget plans. Be prepared for a fast-paced demanding environment!

Any recent PR highlights you can tell us about?

Summer of LOFT [pop-up events and in-store shopping parties across the country] was a big PR highlight. Orchestrating a pop-up during NYC Fashion Week for SOMA for the launch of their new vanishing panty and having Jackie Tohn from [Netflix series] Nobody Wants This attend and hand out free underwear was amazing. The Haven Well Within PR team secured celebrity author and chef Katie Lee Biegel for the opening of the brand's first retail store in Roosevelt Field, and the press coverage was incredible. The KnitWell Group Holiday House is always a big PR success. This year had celebrities (and brand fans!) attend such as: Danielle Brooks in Chicos, Amy Sedaris in Talbots, Liz Gillies in White House Black Market and Renee Elise Goldsberry who wore Ann Taylor.

What’s your favorite part of the Ann Taylor offices in Times Square?

I love that we are merely blocks away from the theater district! I leave the office many evenings and meet friends for dinner and Broadway show.

Who’s your style muse?

Cate Blanchett’s suit vibe, mixed with a little Carrie Bradshaw. 

Describe your personal style.

Taking a classic look and adding a little twist.  

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