Stephen Brady

2009 San Francisco Gala Honoree

Stephen Brady is one of those rare individuals who has spent his entire career in the fashion industry. He started his career as creative director of Britches of Georgetown, in Washington D.C., where he oversaw store design, decor, marketing, and visual merchandising, and was the buyer for the European market. From there he moved on to become senior creative director for Macy's Herald Square, a role that encompassed all visual direction and special events. His next venture was at Bloomingdale's as senior creative director, overseeing all visual direction, country promotions, and special events.

Stephen's next ventures would be the most influential in his career. After leaving Bloomingdale's, having had an extensive relationship with Ralph Lauren since Britches, Stephen was offered the opportunity and hired as creative director for The Mansion on 72nd Street and Madison Avenue in New York. After the store was well established, he created the creative services team, which operated in North America and serviced all of Europe and Asia.

Then another opportunity arose with The Gap. As the Director of Visual Merchandising and Store Design, his key focus was the transformation of Banana Republic to what it is today. Subsequently, he was made Vice President overseeing all Gap divisions. He then returned to Ralph Lauren as Vice President and Head of Ralph Lauren Home.

Stephen later served as senior vice president of design at Williams Sonoma, where he launched Williams Sonoma Home—his first opportunity to conceive a concept creatively through to market.

Then another opportunity presented itself which felt very appropriate to his experience with a company he had much history with and respect for. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Creative Store Design for Gap Inc.

Stephen has been very active in charitable work for many years. Inspired by his younger sister, who is disabled, he has devoted a great deal of time to working with children with disabilities, as well as raising awareness through local community and charitable organizations.

In 1992, Stephen played a major role in launching the CFDA Foundation's 7th on Sale in San Francisco, which raised funds for care, services, and housing for those living with HIV and AIDS. He became involved with amfAR while living in New York and has served as a chair of the Foundation's San Francisco Gala since 2005. In addition, during his time at Ralph Lauren, Williams Sonoma Home, and Gap, he worked to secure these companies' support for the San Francisco AIDS Walk. Stephen has also been involved with Meals on Wheels in New York and San Francisco.