Heather (Williams) de Courreges is a highly accomplished creative director, designer, and strategic consultant with over 25 years of experience in the footwear, accessories, and fashion industries. Known for her unique ability to balance artistry and strategic planning, Heather has established herself as a driving force behind innovative product development and business transformation for globally recognized brands.

Currently serving as Creative Direction Consultant at Bernardo 1946, Heather has been instrumental in revitalizing the heritage sandal brand. Since joining in 2017, she has led a transformative effort to expand Bernardo’s offerings, turning it into a year-round lifestyle footwear brand. Under her leadership, the company experienced exponential growth, with online and drop-ship sales multiplying and a significantly broadened customer base. Heather’s contributions include brand direction, sketching, material and color selection, technical design, sales presentations, and campaign styling for photo shoots, web, and social media. Her work has helped place Bernardo’s collections in major retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Bloomingdale’s, as well as hundreds of luxury and independent retailers worldwide.

Heather also runs her own consultancy, H Williams Design Consulting, where she provides creative direction and design services to a broad range of brands, including DKNY, Jack Rogers, Tracy Reese, Etienne Aigner, and Elaine Turner. Her responsibilities span the entire product lifecycle—from concept sketches to production-ready technical packs—ensuring seamless communication with factories across Italy, Spain, Asia, and the Americas. She has designed runway and press-specific styles, managed photo shoots, and developed strategic plans to enhance brand identity and market presence.

Prior to her consulting work, Heather launched her own luxury footwear brand, H Williams, LLC, while residing between New York City and Milan. Her collection, crafted in Italy, Brazil, and Asia, gained international acclaim and was featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, WWD, and other leading publications. Select pieces were even inducted into the National Shoe Museum of Italy. Heather’s ability to blend innovative design with commercial appeal has made her a trusted advisor and creative partner for some of the world’s most iconic fashion brands.

Heather began her career with Reebok classics as a material line builder where she incorporated interesting colors and luxurious materials into their retro classic sneakers and children’s footwear. Her next job was designing the full line of girls footwear for Tommy Hilfiger, licensed through Stride Rite. From there she went to New York to design Women’s Footwear for Calvin Klein. As a Senior Footwear Designer and Director at Calvin Klein, she led the design of all categories of women’s footwear, combining Italian materials with Asian production. Her tenure at Calvin Klein set the foundation for her expertise in bridging creative design with global production processes.

Heather’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Apparel Design from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and a Technical Footwear and Handbag Certificate from the renowned Ars Sutoria School in Milan, Italy. This combination of artistic and technical training has equipped her with the skills to design and execute complex projects at the highest level of quality and precision.

A mother of four, Heather balances her professional achievements with a passion for mentoring women in the industry, fostering creativity, and empowering others to reach their potential. Her hobbies include painting, playing tennis, and engaging in community initiatives, reflecting her commitment to personal growth and giving back.

Fluent in English and conversational in Italian, Heather’s international experience includes partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers across Italy, Brazil, China, Mexico, and Spain, making her a seasoned leader in global production and logistics.

Heather’s mission is clear: “To use my many years of experience leading design, product development, and production to help companies grow and foster strong working partnerships with factories that set both sides up for success and growth.”

Now seeking to leverage her extensive experience and strategic vision through board service opportunities, Heather is eager to contribute at a higher level by offering her entrepreneurial insights and expertise in strategy, design, and operational efficiency. Her dynamic career and proven track record of success make her a powerful asset to any organization seeking creative leadership, strategic direction, and a forward-thinking approach to design and production.

Character

Heather de Courreges is a dedicated, goal-oriented leader who balances creativity and professionalism with integrity and a passion for mentorship.

Knowledge

With over 25 years of expertise, Heather brings deep industry knowledge in footwear, accessories, production processes, and global supply chain logistics.

Strategic

Heather excels in aligning creative design with business objectives, driving innovation and growth through strategic planning and execution.

Communication

An effective communicator, Heather collaborates seamlessly across teams, cultures, and industries, ensuring clarity and alignment from concept to completion.