In Conversation with Sandra Finkelstein
Tell us about your background:
I’m Sandra Finkelstein, an industry innovator who thrives on capturing and elevating distinct brand vision across the full spectrum of fashion - from heritage denim to luxury avant-garde contemporary design, and beyond.
Throughout my journey transforming iconic brands including Calvin Klein, J.Crew, Banana Republic and Marithé + Francois Girbaud Paris, I bring a unique blend of strategic thinking and creative excellence to product development and merchandising. My years of leadership are reinforced by the consolidation of functions that include creative design, deep product know-how, and strategic growth roles to scale brands with a singular voice. I believe in developing hero products that anchor brand authenticity while achieving significant market success through productive assortment planning and trend alignment. My ability to translate brand essence and execute compelling collections across all market category segments and channels has consistently driven exceptional expansion.
Innovation and technology are central to my approach, particularly in spearheading the integration of GenAI in fashion design. By leveraging advanced trend analytics and AI-driven processes, I streamline product development, reduce industry waste, and ensure precise market timing. This data-driven methodology enables rapid testing and refinement of designs while maintaining the highest standards of creative excellence and sustainability.
At the core of my creative practice is an unwavering customer obsession. Leading global, cross-functional teams at Amazon, I foster an environment where every decision is guided by deep customer understanding. My comprehensive expertise in fabric, fit and technical development, combined with data- driven merchandising and digital commerce integration, ensure we not only meet but anticipate customer needs. This customer-centric approach has consistently delivered exceptional results in all commerce touch points.
I welcome opportunities to collaborate on transformative and creative fashion initiatives that build brand greatness while embracing the future of retail through product design and technology, sustainability and unwavering customer focus.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
Hard Skills and Soft Skills bring success and balance each other.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Go in assuming good intentions.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Bias for Action, Insist on the Highest Standards, Emotional Intelligence and Empathy.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Probably focusing my interests! To learn and be curious is my passion, and my favorite managers have referred to me as a unicorn, but it is difficult to get folks to focus on what I excel in.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
Be able to innovate and be given that space to Think Big. I have been fortunate to do this every day at Amazon.
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
I have so many contacts, with deep experiences we shared and milestones we accomplished throughout my career. I can reach out to many of them and start a conversation, or ask for support, diving in right where we left off.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Listen. Open your mind and let new information in, be curious, and let people shine in conversations and ask them a lot about themselves. Then follow up and stay in touch.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkelsteinsandra/
Instagram: @sand_fink
