About

Sara is an experienced and gifted Stylist and Art Director with a unique retail industry background that began at just 16 years old. She was lucky enough to be raised in the beautiful Bay Area but garners great joy from traveling the world. She is inspired by all manner of things, including her mother's innate sense of style, all things European, mystery novels, and big empty museums.

Clients include: Apple, Audi, Banana Republic Factory Store, Birdies Slippers, Box.com, Google, ModCloth, Narvar, Waffles & Honey, Walmart, and Zenni Optical.

Curriculum vitae

SARA J. GHAFFARI
Sara.J.Ghaffari@gmail.com :: 1.510.725.5476 :: linkedin.com/in/sara-ghaffari

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WALMART 2024 - 2026
Senior 3D/CGI Art Director, San Bruno, CA

Served as Senior 3D/CGI Art Director and Stylist, developing photorealistic 3D imagery for e-commerce marketing campaigns across multiple business units, including Home and Beauty.

Led visual direction for campaigns and GenAI-based asset development, defining the layout, architectural environments, product placement, lighting, and overall visual tone.
Translated creative briefs, style guides, and seasonal creative requests into fully developed 3D-based visual content.
Created 2D and AI mock-ups of images and wrote detailed art direction for decks to serve as a visual blueprint for 3D artists.
Worked closely with 3D vendors to advise on retouching and ensure consistency, product accuracy, fidelity, and creative intent across all images.
Drove a sustainability study on the positive environmental impacts of 3D, measuring CO2e emissions and landfill diversion.

HH GLOBAL @ GOOGLE 2018 - 2024
Product Specialist, San Francisco, CA 2022 - 2024

As Google’s Devices & Services Product Knowledge Representative, I traveled internationally to all marketing photo shoots, ensuring devices were photographed in keeping with design and user intent.

Advised and directed photographers, stylists, models, and set designers on product styling and usage.
Partnered with Industrial Designers and Marketing teams to understand key selling points and design direction for all products.
Led merchandise procurement, preparation, and flow of samples from pre-production to post-production.
Owned projected and actualized budgets for all marketing samples.
Created tools for quarterly pre- and post-production photo shoot logistics, tracking inventory for 100+ SKUs, across 10+ photo shoots in multiple countries.

Photo Stylist, Mountain View, CA 2018 - 2022
In-house stylist for Google Devices & Services Photo Studio, styling images for product packaging, billboards, email, print ads, Store.Google.com, retail fixtures, pop-up shops, and Google Keynote.

Styled a wide range of imagery centered around Google & Nest hardline goods. Included interior design, laydown and lifestyle, prop & on-figure styling.
Created moodboards and digital mockups for clients.
Worked closely with Art Directors to concept shoots and ensure all imagery met brand guidelines.
Responsible for sourcing all props for each shoot.
Communicated project and budget status to clients on an ongoing basis to stay aligned on client vision and standards.

SELF-EMPLOYED / FREELANCE 2017 - 2018
Wardrobe & Prop Stylist, San Francisco / Los Angeles, CA
Lead Stylist on set for both photo and video shoots. Clients include Apple, Audi, Birdies, Modcloth, Zenni.

Selected and procured all apparel, accessories, and props for shoots.
Created and styled all outfits across Men’s & Women’s, individuals & groups.
Managed Styling Assistants.
Experience in Art Directing and Producing.

GAP INC. 2000 - 2016
BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY STORE (BRFS), San Francisco, CA 2010 - 2016
Global Head of Styling & Visual Merchandising Manager
Created a seamless and cohesive customer experience through Styling and Visual Merchandising. Selected and styled all Men’s and Women’s looks for on-figure marketing images, window & in-store mannequins, balancing aspirational fashion trends with the brand aesthetic. Developed Visual Presentation Guides for over 140 stores in North America, Europe, and Japan.

Designed and built full store mock-ups, created planograms, and wrote detailed styling & merchandising direction for Visual Presentation Guides (VPG) to be executed across all stores.
Directly impacted increase in UPTs and sell-through by strategic placement of products, displays, and selection of product highlighted on mannequins and in marketing.
Collaborated with heads of Design, Merchandising, and Marketing to develop seasonal visual merchandising strategies aligned with overarching brand objectives and financial goals.
Visited stores to ensure adherence to the VPG, and advised on adaptations for unique store layouts or sell-through.
Led visual teams in stores on window display installs, seasonal roll-outs, and new floor moves.
Implemented company’s 360° customer experience by integrating online, in-store, and e-mail stories through styling and visual merchandising - leading to highly successful product launches and store promotions.
Managed Studio Assistants and Graphic Designers.

BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY STORE (BRFS), San Francisco, CA 2006 – 2010
Merchandise Assistant (MA)
Owned Assistant Merchant responsibilities for BRFS Men’s Suiting Department; 6% ($10m) total annual retail of Men’s Division. Developed strategies driving significant Ret$, GM$ and GM% comps for four consecutive seasons. Supported merchandising teams with sample management, implementing price changes, and completing purchase orders.

Partnered with Inventory Management (planning and distribution) to create business and marketing strategies for Men’s Suiting Department; launched new fits, created strategic store distribution plans and increased ticket prices to boost GM$.
Selected all fabrics and trims for each suit; worked with tech (tailoring) teams to improve as well as create new fits.

BANANA REPUBLIC, Emeryville / Mission Viejo, CA 2005 – 2006
Visual Specialist
Sole member of Visual Merchandising Team, responsible for implementing all window and in-store displays for two stores.

Communicated merchandising opportunities and priorities to managers and VMM.
Created and adapted displays to meet unique store layout and customer needs

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

22 DWELLINGS (prev. Grace Interiors), Alameda, CA
Home Staging

PAUL SMITH, London, England
Women’s Apparel Intern

BANANA REPUBLIC & GAP/ GAP KIDS / BABY GAP / GAP BODY
Oakland / Belmont Shore / Costa Mesa, CA
Visual Merchandising Manager,Sales Associate

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Family and Consumer Sciences: Fashion Merchandising, Dean’s List, California State University, Long Beach, CA, 2001-2006

University of London, Bloomsbury, Spring 2004

TECHNICAL SKILLS