Southern California Events
Southern California Event Photos
About Retail Design Institute’s Southern California Chapter:
A non-profit organization founded in 1961, the Retail Design Institute represents a diverse range of students and professionals dedicated to creating world class experiential consumer environments. We promote the advancement of our industry by developing educational, career building and networking opportunities.
The Southern California Chapter currently incorporates the Southwest region (Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico) and Hawaii. Our membership includes Architects, Designers, Art Directors, Developers, Engineers, Store Planners, Strategists, Visual Merchandisers, Educators, Set Designers, Trade Partners, Retailers, Publishers and Students. Join us!
Southern California Chapter Board members
kdhelgeson @ yahoo.com
Kim, a manager of store design and visual merchandising at Mattel, Inc. is an award-winning designer of retail stores, point-of-purchase displays and visual programs for major retailers.
Concurrently for the past 13 years, she has been an instructor at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Teaching visual merchandising and store design, she has been nominated five times for Outstanding Faculty Member.
Her accomplished 30-year career has encompassed the leadership of both visual merchandising and special events departments for major companies including NBC/Universal Studios, Petco, Kinko’s, Leslie’s, I. Magnin, Bullock’s and The Broadway.
With her design company KdH Designs, she’s created store environments for local retailers and curated large special events and runway shows for national brands and retailers.
She is on the editorial advisory board of design:retail magazine and was awarded RDI Professional Member of the Year for 2017.
Retail Design Institute leadership positions held: president Southern California Chapter 2014-2016 term, ISP Miami Chapter Vice President in the mid-90s.
Chris is the Principal/Owner of Innovative Design Services, Los Angeles Previously Vice President of Architecture + Construction for BCBG MAXAZRIA GROUP LLC. Chris has been in the retail design business for over 28 years including positions with leading retail design firms: WalkerGroup/CNI, CLDA, and RKI as well as a term with Calvin Klein corporate. He has been involved in creating and executing environments for many brands such as Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Harrods of London, Saks Fifth Avenue, Mercantile Stores, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Barneys New York, Ralph Lauren, Waterworks, Vertu and John Varvatos just to name a few. Chris is presently an instructor at FIDM in Los Angeles as well as on the advisory boards of vmsd magazine and the Digital Signage EXPO.
Melanie Gifford
Director of Business Development
Sargenti Architects
(C) 323.775.2404
(T) 310.437.8209