Profile
Catherine Ryu is a global fashion creative executive, designer, and consultant with more than 25 years of experience shaping brands, building product, and leading creative teams across the fashion industry.
With deep expertise in denim and a career spanning design, product development, brand strategy, and global manufacturing, Catherine brings together creative instinct, technical knowledge, and commercial insight to create product that is both relevant and enduring.
Her work is driven by curiosity and innovation—continually exploring new materials, emerging technologies, evolving cultural influences, and new ways of making. From concept and creative direction to product execution and manufacturing, she approaches design as an interconnected system in which every decision has purpose.
Her approach balances creativity with responsibility—championing sustainable manufacturing, transparent supply chains, while considering environmental, social, and economic impact.
Her philosophy is simple: create with intention, innovate with purpose, and make what deserves to exist.
Curriculum Vitae
2017 - Present: Catherine Ryu Design
Full Service design consultancy specializing in both Women’s and Men’s sustainable design and innovation. Specialties include fabric and wash R &D, fits development, washes to trend forecasting and creative direction for marketing.
Clients include MOTHER DENIM, RE/DONE, BOYISH DENIM, EDWIN USA, AG Jeans and SAITEX INTERNATIONAL, PISTOLA, LIVERPOOL.
2026 April - 2026 August: LIVERPOOL
VP of DESIGN leading the team to design from concept to development for SP’27, F’27 and SP’28 collections including denim, Woven’s, Sweaters and knits.
2025 Sept - 2026 March: PISTOLA
VP of DESIGN leading the team to design from concept to development for F’27, Hol’27 and, SP’28 collections including denim, Woven’s, Sweaters and knits.
2023 Feb - April : AG jeans
Creative director leading the team to design and develop for SP’2024 collection for Women’s and Men’s including denim, Woven’s and knits.
2018 - 2022: EDWIN USA
Founding Creative director of Women’s and Men’s; Re-branded and launched sustainable premium denim brand for US market. Launching Ecommerce and Social media platform.
2018 - 2022: Saitex USA
Creative Director of design services with a focus on sustainable denim development; Gucci, A-Cold-Wall*, Stussy, Target, Everlane, J crew, Madewell, Filson, Co..
2017 - 2018: Oct - May: Mother denim
Launch Rigid denim collection and new denim washes fro SP’19 - F’19.
2017: Jan - March Boyish denim
Design and development of Woven collection.
2017 - 2018: Nov - Feb: RE/Done denim
Design and Develop denim collection for Women’s
2017 – 2012: Citizens of Humanity, Los Angeles
Creative Director of Women’s and Men’s
2016 – 2017: FABRIC BRAND & CO, Los Angeles
Creative Director
2006 – 2012: AG Adriano Goldschmied Jeans, Los Angeles
Sr. Designer of Women’s and Men’s
2002 – 2005: GAP Inc., New York City
Sr. Designer of Women's Wovens, bottoms and outerwear
2002 – 2000: CK Calvin Klein Jeans, New York City
Sr. Designer, denim, structured wovens, knits and sweaters
2000 – 1999: Urban Outfitters, Philadelphia
Designer, structured wovens, knits and sweaters
1999 – 1996: Club Monaco, Toronto, Canada
Women's wear designer, structured wovens, knits and accessories
1991 – 1996: Ryerson Polytechnical University, Toronto, Canada
