Kenneth Downing
Ken Downing’s career in the fashion and retail industry has been nothing short of legendary. His creative vision, brilliant brand storytelling, and unerring eye for detail have paved the way to leadership roles at some of the most renowned names in fashion. Today, Downing is the creative director of Halston, C. Wonder, Tower Hill by Christie Brinkley, and Off/Duty by Coco Rocha, while also serving as chief creative officer of parent company Xcel Brands. Downing’s innate intuition knowing what the customer wants, unwavering commitment to quality, and superlative taste allow him to design distinct, captivating collections that speak to the fashion moment and loyal to each brand's DNA.
Prior to joining Xcel, Downing served as creative brand officer for Hearst Luxury Collection Commerce at Hearst Publications. He oversaw the vision, creation, and marketing strategy for the publishing house’s editor-infused digital retail shopping destination for Elle, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, and Town & Country. From 2019 to 2021, he served as chief creative officer of Triple Five Group, owner and developer of one of the most ambitious shopping malls in the world, American Dream. Within the company, and American Dream especially, Downing managed design, advertising, marketing, public relations, and special events.
The majority of Downing’s career was spent at Neiman Marcus. He joined the storied luxury retailer in 1990 as the director of fashion and visual merchandising at its Beverly Hills store on Wilshire Boulevard. Over the next 30 years, he rose through the company’s corporate ranks to become its senior vice president and fashion director. In this role, he was responsible for setting the fashion and trend direction for the company, serving as the public face of the retailer, and introducing Neiman Marcus’s customers to countless rising stars in the fashion world who are now household names today.
Downing has served on multiple boards, including CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund, Delivering Good, and Couture Council of The Museum at FIT. He has collaborated on his own signature lines, including with the brands PopSugar and Nest Fragrances, and is regularly invited to speak at museums, such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the St. Louis Museum of Art, on the subject and intersection of fashion and art.
He holds a degree in Apparel Design from FIT.
