FIG Dallas Names New Director
The Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG) showroom building in Dallas has named veteran Nordstrom executive Shelli Mers as its new director, replacing Gavin Smith, who was promoted to creative director last spring.
Elyse Wasserman had been interim director.
In her new position, Mers assumes management of daily operations for the contemporary wholesale complex in downtown Dallas.
She reports to Chief Executive Officer John Sughrue.
Mers will be responsible for overseeing leasing and management for all permanent tenants, guest designers and trade shows, and FIG staff. Mers is a 13-year veteran of Nordstrom, where she held several management and buying positions, and was the contemporary sportswear buyer of the retailer’s Savvy division for the Midwest region.
More recently, she served as director of leasing and merchandising for contemporary, bridge and better apparel at Fashion Center Dallas, based in the Dallas Market Center.
“We are delighted that a fashion industry professional of Shelli’s depth of experience has agreed to direct FIG as we continue to expand and improve the enterprise,” Sughrue said in a statement announcing the appointment.
FIG, which opened in January 2004, showcases women’s contemporary and modern sportswear and accessories and better men’s apparel. The center houses several Los Angeles– based lines and will soon be expanding by 10,000 square feet. The expansion will enable the venue to accommodate additional guest designers for the October show. When completed, the center will contain more than 85,000 square feet of wholesale space. FIG officials said they also were negotiating with prominent companies to take permanent space in the expanded area.—Robert McAllister
