I’m a Brand Strategist, Creative Director, and Founder working at the intersection of fashion, technology, and AI-driven growth. With 16+ years in global fashion, I’ve helped generate over $15M in wholesale sales for luxury and contemporary brands carried by NET-A-PORTER, Revolve, Selfridges, Bloomingdale’s, and other leading retailers. I specialize in brand strategy, positioning, and storytelling systems that turn creative vision into scalable, revenue-driving brands. My background spans creative direction, production management, wholesale strategy, and go-to-market execution, now fused with AI-powered tools that modernize how fashion businesses operate. I’m the founder of AVANA Showroom, a global fashion agency representing luxury resortwear brands; Market Hitch, an AI-powered platform reimagining how brands and retailers discover and collaborate; and AI by AVANA, a consultancy helping fashion companies integrate AI for storytelling, sales, and creative innovation. At the core of my work is a belief that technology should amplify human creativity, not replace it. I partner with brands, founders, and teams who want clear positioning, intelligent systems, and creative strategies that actually convert. If you’re building a fashion, lifestyle, or creative brand and need strategic clarity with executional depth, let’s connect.

Amanda Van As

PRO

I’m a Brand Strategist, Creative Director, and Founder working at the intersection of fashion, technology, and AI-driven growth. With 16+ years in global fashion, I’ve helped generate over $15M in wholesale sales for luxury and contemporary brands carried by NET-A-PORTER, Revolve, Selfridges, Bloomingdale’s, and other leading retailers. I specialize in brand strategy, positioning, and storytelling systems that turn creative vision into scalable, revenue-driving brands. My background spans creative direction, production management, wholesale strategy, and go-to-market execution, now fused with AI-powered tools that modernize how fashion businesses operate. I’m the founder of AVANA Showroom, a global fashion agency representing luxury resortwear brands; Market Hitch, an AI-powered platform reimagining how brands and retailers discover and collaborate; and AI by AVANA, a consultancy helping fashion companies integrate AI for storytelling, sales, and creative innovation. At the core of my work is a belief that technology should amplify human creativity, not replace it. I partner with brands, founders, and teams who want clear positioning, intelligent systems, and creative strategies that actually convert. If you’re building a fashion, lifestyle, or creative brand and need strategic clarity with executional depth, let’s connect.

Available to hire

I’m a Brand Strategist, Creative Director, and Founder working at the intersection of fashion, technology, and AI-driven growth. With 16+ years in global fashion, I’ve helped generate over $15M in wholesale sales for luxury and contemporary brands carried by NET-A-PORTER, Revolve, Selfridges, Bloomingdale’s, and other leading retailers.

I specialize in brand strategy, positioning, and storytelling systems that turn creative vision into scalable, revenue-driving brands. My background spans creative direction, production management, wholesale strategy, and go-to-market execution, now fused with AI-powered tools that modernize how fashion businesses operate.

I’m the founder of AVANA Showroom, a global fashion agency representing luxury resortwear brands; Market Hitch, an AI-powered platform reimagining how brands and retailers discover and collaborate; and AI by AVANA, a consultancy helping fashion companies integrate AI for storytelling, sales, and creative innovation.

At the core of my work is a belief that technology should amplify human creativity, not replace it. I partner with brands, founders, and teams who want clear positioning, intelligent systems, and creative strategies that actually convert. If you’re building a fashion, lifestyle, or creative brand and need strategic clarity with executional depth, let’s connect.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder + Creative Director at AI by AVANA
September 1, 2025 - Present
Lead strategic vision and development of an intelligent design ecosystem bridging creativity, data, and technology. Oversee conceptual framework, creative direction, and integration strategy behind AI-powered tools to empower brands, designers, and innovators to scale creativity with precision and purpose. Collaborate with developers, designers, and cross-disciplinary thinkers to design next-generation solutions that improve creative workflows and decision-making. Core philosophy: technology amplifies human imagination.
Author at Permission to F*ck Up
January 1, 2025 - Present
Author and founder of a movement around reinvention, resilience, and turning failure into momentum; oversee brand voice and visuals; developing cross-platform storytelling (book, podcast) and a forthcoming community platform.
Founder at market hitch
January 1, 2024 - Present
Next-generation platform to simplify and modernize how brands and retailers connect, bridging creativity, data, and community; AI-powered discovery and collaboration for the new era of global retail.
Founder & CEO at AVANA Showroom
June 1, 2015 - Present
Global fashion agency representing luxury resortwear and lifestyle brands; lead strategy, sales, and creative development; generated $15M+ in cumulative wholesale sales; built data-driven, story-led growth systems and partnerships with NET-A-PORTER, Revolve, Selfridges, and Bloomingdales.
Fashion Designer at BALAGAN swimwear
June 1, 2019 - June 1, 2024
Balagan is a collection of mid-thigh swim trunks inspired by the works of Basquiat x Slim Aarons; ode to subdued pop-art and paradise pastels; designed and contributed to production and branding for a resortwear line.
Co-Owner at BIA BORO
August 1, 2016 - June 1, 2019
Devise product assortments and purchasing tactics; assess product performance; translate trends into actionable strategies; oversee international and domestic sourcing, profitability, and product innovation.
Brand Director at Anna Kosturova Swimwear
January 1, 2013 - August 1, 2016
Contributed strategic insights to seasonal campaigns, set collection goals, collaborated with designers, led concept sampling, and conducted market research to stay ahead of silhouettes and color trends; oversaw production and wholesale activities.
Brand Manager at PINK TARTAN
February 1, 2015 - June 1, 2015
Ensured sales objectives, analyzed data and market dynamics, guided packaging, replenishment, and merchandising strategies; influenced allocation and service initiatives to meet customer expectations.
Publicist/Account Manager at Mediatonic PR
September 1, 2010 - September 1, 2013
Crafted purpose-driven messaging; secured media coverage across TV, print, and digital; developed media campaigns, press materials, and press relations; built relationships with technology journalists and managed PR campaigns.
PR & Special Events Manager at PVH Corp.
October 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Assisted in strategic initiatives to propel growth and uphold brand positioning; coordinated with design, merchandising, retail, and production; trained sales staff and managed events and inventory.
Sales Marketing Manager at Impact Radio Accessories
September 1, 2006 - June 1, 2010
Spearheaded creative direction for marketing materials; managed inventory; forecasted needs; oversaw sales targets and distributor relationships; priced products to align with landed costs.

Education

Marketing, International Marketing at Thompson Rivers University
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Wholesale & Distribution, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    paper Brand Strategy, Language & Positioning for Fashion & Creative Brands

    Project Overview
    Led brand strategy and narrative development for multiple fashion and creative brands, shaping how brands articulate who they are, what they stand for, and how they connect with their audience. This work focuses on clarifying positioning, refining brand language, and building cohesive storytelling systems that guide design, campaigns, and digital expression.

    Scope of Work

    Brand positioning and strategic direction
    Brand language, tone of voice, and messaging frameworks
    Narrative development for fashion brands and personal brands
    Alignment of brand story across collections, campaigns, and digital platforms
    Strategic guidance to ensure visual identity and communication feel cohesive and intentional
    Translating abstract vision into clear, usable brand systems

    Outcome
    The result is brands that feel confident, differentiated, and consistent across every touchpoint. This project highlights my ability to move fluidly between strategy and creativity, ensuring that brand identity, messaging, and visuals work together as a unified system.

    paper AI by AVANA: AI-Enhanced Fashion Campaigns & Creative Workflows

    Project Overview
    Through AI by AVANA, I develop AI-enhanced creative systems for fashion brands, designers, and creatives. The focus is on using AI as a creative accelerator, supporting campaign development, visual storytelling, and brand workflows without sacrificing aesthetic integrity or human vision.

    Scope of Work

    AI-generated fashion campaign concepts and visuals
    Creative direction for AI-assisted imagery and storytelling
    Development of AI workflows for content creation and brand assets
    Integration of AI tools into existing creative and marketing processes
    Ensuring all outputs remain aligned with brand identity and luxury standards

    Outcome
    This work demonstrates how AI can be used to enhance creative production, speed up execution, and expand visual possibilities while maintaining a refined, fashion-forward aesthetic. The project highlights my ability to bridge creativity and emerging technology in a way that feels intentional, human, and future-ready.

    paper Erika Peña: Social Media Strategy, Email Design & Brand Voice

    Project Overview
    Led social media management and email marketing for Erika Peña, ensuring the brand’s digital presence reflected its luxury positioning, creative direction, and evolving collections. The focus was on translating the designer’s vision into consistent, engaging brand communications across social and email channels.

    Scope of Work

    Social media management, including content planning and brand-aligned messaging
    Creative direction for social content to maintain visual cohesion and tone
    Design and copywriting of email newsletters for launches, collections, and brand storytelling
    Development of brand voice and narrative consistency across digital touchpoints
    Alignment of social and email content with photoshoots, collections, and campaigns
    Ongoing refinement of messaging to support audience growth and engagement

    Outcome
    The work strengthened brand consistency across platforms, elevated digital storytelling, and supported collection launches with clear, cohesive communication. This project highlights my ability to manage brand voice, visuals, and messaging in a way that feels intentional, elevated, and aligned with a luxury fashion audience.

    paper Erika Peña: Production Management, Collection Consulting & Creative Support

    Project Overview
    Ongoing collaboration with Erika Peña, a luxury fashion designer, supporting the development and execution of seasonal collections. My role spans production management, design consultation, and creative support, ensuring collections are delivered with clarity, quality, and strong visual storytelling.

    Scope of Work

    Production management and sample development
    Oversight of timelines, materials, and manufacturing coordination
    Consulting on new designs, silhouettes, and collection direction
    Strategic input on seasonal collections and product mix
    Creative support for photoshoots, including concept development and visual alignment
    Ensuring brand consistency across product, imagery, and presentation

    Outcome
    This collaboration supports the successful execution of collections from concept through launch, balancing creative vision with production realities. The work highlights my ability to partner closely with designers, strengthen collection cohesion, and elevate brand presentation through both strategic and creative contribution.

    paper Market Hitch: Brand Strategy & Platform Concept for Fashion Discovery

    Project Overview
    Market Hitch is a brand and platform concept reimagining how fashion brands and retailers discover, connect, and collaborate. I led the brand strategy, positioning, and creative direction for the platform, designing a visual and narrative system that bridges fashion, technology, and community.

    Scope of Work

    Brand strategy and positioning
    Naming, narrative, and brand language
    Visual identity and creative direction
    Platform UX and visual system concepting
    Go-to-market storytelling for a global fashion audience

    Outcome
    The project demonstrates my ability to design future-facing brand systems, translate complex ideas into clear visual language, and build platforms that feel editorial, intuitive, and culturally relevant.

    paper AVANA Showroom: Fashion Brand Strategy, Sales & Creative Direction

    Project Overview
    AVANA Showroom is a global fashion sales and brand consultancy I founded and continue to lead. The showroom represents luxury resortwear and lifestyle brands across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, serving as a strategic bridge between designers, retailers, and markets.

    Scope of Work
    Through AVANA Showroom, I’ve led and executed:

    Brand strategy and market positioning for multiple fashion labels
    Creative direction for campaigns, lookbooks, and visual assets
    Wholesale strategy and sales execution across global markets
    Brand language, storytelling, and retail-facing materials
    Go-to-market strategy for emerging and established designers
    Strategic consulting across production, assortment, and growth

    Outcome
    Over 16+ years, AVANA Showroom has generated more than $15M in wholesale sales and placed brands with leading retailers including NET-A-PORTER, Revolve, Selfridges, and Bloomingdale’s. The project demonstrates my ability to scale creative brands commercially while maintaining strong identity, clarity, and market relevance.

    Collateral available upon request.

    paper NENITA: End-to-End Brand, Collection & Creative Direction

    Project Overview
    NENITA is a luxury ready-to-wear and resortwear brand built from the ground up. I led the full creative, strategic, and executional development of the brand, overseeing everything from brand language and identity to collection design, production, campaigns, and digital presence.

    Scope of Work
    This project was an end-to-end build, including:

    Brand strategy, positioning, and identity development
    Brand language, tone of voice, and narrative direction
    Full collection design across ready-to-wear, swim, footwear, and accessories
    Sample development and production oversight
    Creative direction and production of all photoshoots
    Art direction, styling, and visual storytelling
    Graphic design for brand assets, lookbooks, and sales materials
    Website concept, structure, and visual direction

    Outcome
    The result was a cohesive, editorial-driven fashion brand with a clear point of view, strong visual identity, and scalable foundation for wholesale, digital, and future lifestyle expansion. The project demonstrates my ability to translate creative vision into a fully realized brand system that is both aspirational and commercially viable.

    Collateral available upon request.