KATY ZILINSKI
Executive product and design leader with more than 20 years of experience building global apparel brands across private label, licensed, retail and corporate markets.
My career spans creative direction, product development, merchandising strategy and commercialization, leading cross-functional teams and bringing products from concept to consumer for some of the industry's most recognized brands.
Product Leadership
Creative Direction
- Consumer Insight
- Trend Strategy
- Brand Building
- Color Direction
- Merchandising
Business Development
- Product Strategy
- Commercialization
- Category Development
- Team Leadership
- Global Product Development
- Global Sourcing
- Cost Engineering
- Vendor Partnerships
- Manufacturing
- Cross-Functional Leadership
Founder & Principal
KEZ Design & Consulting | 2025–Present
Providing strategic apparel consulting across product development, commercialization and manufacturing,
partnering with brands to strengthen product strategy, improve development processes and accelerate speed to market.
Contract Director, Product Development
Maxima Apparel | 2025
Led product development for licensed sports apparel, overseeing commercialization,
vendor partnerships and cross-functional execution across multiple professional sports programs.
Vice President, Product Development
Lands' End Outfitters | 2024–2025
Directed global product development for corporate apparel programs supporting Fortune 500 companies
across transportation, healthcare, education and financial services, leading commercialization from concept through production.
Vice President, Product Development & Design
Epic Studios | 2021–2024
Directed product strategy and design across Walmart, Sam's Club, Amazon, Levi's,
Dockers and Uniqlo while helping launch new brands and driving significant business growth.
Senior Design Director (Consulting)
JORDACHE | 2014–2025
Maintained a long-standing consulting relationship with Jordache Enterprises, partnering across multiple engagements
to support design, product development and commercialization for key brands and retail partners, including U.S. Polo Assn. and Walmart.
Senior Designer
Tommy Hilfiger
Led women's sweater & cut and sew knit design while collaborating with global merchandising
and sourcing teams to develop commercially successful seasonal collections.
Senior Designer
Kenneth Cole
Designed contemporary knitwear and woven collections
while balancing trend direction with commercial product development.