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Hi, I’m Sonya Maria Trejo — a creative director and apparel product development leader with 30+ years helping brands build, launch, and scale collections from concept to production. I’ve partnered with major retailers and emerging labels to translate creative ideas into compelling, commercially successful products. My expertise spans design, technical design, sourcing, global manufacturing, brand strategy, and leadership of cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about sustainable product development and empowering entrepreneurs to grow purposeful brands.…Hi, I’m Sonya Maria Trejo — a creative director and apparel product development leader with 30+ years helping brands build, launch, and scale collections from concept to production. I’ve partnered with major retailers and emerging labels to translate creative ideas into compelling, commercially successful products. My expertise spans design, technical design, sourcing, global manufacturing, brand strategy, and leadership of cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about sustainable product development and empowering entrepreneurs to grow purposeful brands.

Sonya Maria Trejo

Designer, Creative Director, Brand Designer, +2

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Hi, I’m Sonya Maria Trejo — a creative director and apparel product development leader with 30+ years helping brands build, launch, and scale collections from concept to production. I’ve partnered with major retailers and emerging labels to translate creative ideas into compelling, commercially successful products. My expertise spans design, technical design, sourcing, global manufacturing, brand strategy, and leadership of cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about sustainable product development and empowering entrepreneurs to grow purposeful brands.…Hi, I’m Sonya Maria Trejo — a creative director and apparel product development leader with 30+ years helping brands build, launch, and scale collections from concept to production. I’ve partnered with major retailers and emerging labels to translate creative ideas into compelling, commercially successful products. My expertise spans design, technical design, sourcing, global manufacturing, brand strategy, and leadership of cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about sustainable product development and empowering entrepreneurs to grow purposeful brands.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Sonya Maria Trejo — a creative director and apparel product development leader with 30+ years helping brands build, launch, and scale collections from concept to production. I’ve partnered with major retailers and emerging labels to translate creative ideas into compelling, commercially successful products.

My expertise spans design, technical design, sourcing, global manufacturing, brand strategy, and leadership of cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about sustainable product development and empowering entrepreneurs to grow purposeful brands.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Design Director / Designer / Assistant Designer at Nordstrom Product Group

October 19, 1996 - April 20, 2007

Led Juniors and Women's product development; streamlined design processes across divisions; mentored teams of up to 18 creatives; built cohesive design team structure; directed private label and retail initiatives; contributed to brand growth and received recognition for leadership.

Creative Director at Threads for Thought / Sustainable Apparel Group

January 2, 2009 - March 20, 2011

Scaled a graphic tee brand into a full lifestyle line; grew revenue from $2M to $15M within two years; expanded brand footprint and earned coverage in major outlets (Women’s Wear Daily, InStyle, People Style Watch, US Weekly).

Owner / Founder at Eighth Light Design

March 20, 2011 - May 20, 2022

Launched and led a women’s contemporary and juniors label; expanded retail footprint; contributed to significant retail volume and strategic partnerships with major retailers including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie; received media attention in major outlets.

Advisor / Entrepreneur at Eighth Light Collective

March 20, 2023 - Present

Advising early-stage entrepreneurs on brand positioning, product direction, business development, and operational planning; developing strategic frameworks for launching, repositioning, or evolving lifestyle, apparel, wellness, and creative businesses.

Industry Educator / Adjunct Faculty at Seattle Central College

January 1, 2026 - Present

Design and deliver apparel business curriculum bridging design, product development, entrepreneurship, sourcing, sustainability, and marketing strategy; mentor emerging fashion professionals; integrate cross-disciplinary learning with inclusive pedagogy.

Founder & Principal Consultant at Eighth Light Collective

January 1, 2023 - Present

Advises fashion, lifestyle, wellness, and purpose-driven businesses on brand positioning, product strategy, business development, and operational planning; develops strategic frameworks for launches, evolution, and market expansion; conducts market research, competitive analysis, and customer positioning to strengthen commercial viability; facilitates consulting engagements, workshops, and advisory services for entrepreneurs and creative founders; leverages 30+ years of apparel, retail, product development, and leadership experience to support sustainable business growth.

Owner & Creative Director at Eighth Light Design

January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2022

Delivered end-to-end creative direction, apparel design, product development, sourcing, merchandising, and brand development for apparel clients and emerging labels; launched Revelrie, a sustainable women's sweater brand, and Light + Matter, a juniors knitwear brand; directed private-label product development for Nordstrom Product Group, Buck Mason, Field Scout, and Sharply; created product concepts, tech packs, fit direction, and production-ready packages for manufacturing partners; managed factory sample programs for Isabel Marant, Opening Ceremony, Dior, and Courrèges; contributed to over $7M in retail volume; cultivated global sourcing relationships and vendor partnerships across Asia and Latin America.

Creative Director at T4T / Sustainable Apparel Group

January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011

Scaled company revenue from $2M to $15M in two years; expanded from a graphic tee brand into a comprehensive lifestyle collection; directed apparel design, product development, merchandising, sourcing, branding, and market strategy; expanded distribution into Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and other retailers; led sustainable product initiatives and helped establish the company as an industry leader in eco-conscious apparel; earned national media coverage (WWD, InStyle, People StyleWatch, US Weekly).

Design Manager at Kohl's Corporation

January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009

Led design and merchandising across Juniors, Girls 7–16, Women's Activewear, and Outerwear; built a private-label juniors bottoms business generating $82M in retail sales within six months; repositioned the Girls 7–16 category through new branding and merchandising strategies; directed cross-functional collaborations supporting Candie's and SO brands across apparel, footwear, and accessories; delivered category sales increases across Juniors (+19.17%), Girls (+11.2%), Women's Activewear (+11.4%).