Camille Darby, Global VP of Brand Marketing at Condé Nast, on Career Pivoting from Retail to Media

Despite all of the economic and societal chaos that has taken place throughout 2023, one thing’s for sure: the magnitude of creativity and resources backing fashion and lifestyle media has shone through. We expect nothing less for 2024. While there still continues to be problematic occurrences in the fashion media world such as moving backwards in cultural and physical representation, it was indeed a year for:

• Fashion: Statement Pieces; Bright colors; Risky Creativity with denim and more
• Home/Office Decor: Bold Hues, Curvy Furniture and more

Now, it’s time to sculpt the next stage in what fashion, beauty and decor will look like this year. What are you prepared to do? For starters, you may want to explore Camille Darby’s journey as it may inspire you with yours.

Who is Camille Darby?

Camille Darby is a Jamaican born and Bronx, NY raised powerhouse who has built a limitless career forging her path into becoming the Global Vice President (VP) of Brand Marketing for 7 of the 22 publications across the Condé Nast portfolio. Condé Nast is a global media company with extensions across print, digital, video, social and experiential (think of the Met Gala). The brands under Camille’s leadership include:

• Allure: the beauty expert 
• Architectural Digest: the international design authority
• Bon Appetit/Epicurious: food culture for everyone 
• Condé Nast Traveler: the global citizen’s bible on all things travel 
• Glamour: puts women at the center of the narrative from politics to pop culture 
• Self: the personal and public health and fitness champion

With the responsibility of overseeing these publications, Camille’s role is to work closely with each editorial team across those 7 publications and identify unique marketing opportunities that not only help to advance the brand's unique selling proposition in the marketplace, but also drive revenue through advertising partnerships.

Throughout Camille’s three and a half year leadership at the company, she has accomplished the following:

• Named Brand Marketer of the Year in 2023
• Executed Allure’s first-ever Best of Beauty Live sold out consumer shopping event in NYC. This event is a unique experience for beauty lovers to spend the day like an Allure beauty editor.

Do you see yourself making a similar impact in this space?

Let’s Take a Look at How Camille Got Here. Her Journey May Inspire You. 

From Playwright to Special Events Coordinator

Camille landed her first marketing opportunity after having a conversation with a peer who was an actress. Most people do not know that Camille actually attended NYU’s graduate program for Dramatic Writing and Theater to become a playwright. While there, she realized that by transitioning straight from undergrad into grad school, she has never actually had a job. Her actress peer recommended that she apply for a role with luxury department store Lord & Taylor where she ended up landing a role as Special Events Coordinator working closely with public relations, advertising and other cross functional teams within marketing to partner with magazines and third parties (think GQ, Teen Vogue) outside of the department store; all in pursuit of driving sales and traffic. She worked there for five years. 

Retail Marketing Management

‍Camille gradually moved on from the department store scene and, now, for a brand she loved during college, Diesel. As a Retail Marketing Manager, Camille would leverage the global initiatives and marketing ideas from Diesel Headquarters in Italy and strategize how that would resonate with the North America market. Her Proud moment at Diesel? She worked on a brand campaign, based in LA, with artists from different parts of Africa for a capsule collection; the soulful singer Solange performed her EP there. 

Head of Brand/Retail Marketing

‍Camille worked at Intermix, a contemporary and luxury boutique retailer with uniquely curated shops across North America and online where she led brand marketing campaigns and experiential events to retain and acquire new consumers. This role was cut short due to the pandemic. However, it was great timing because it led to Camille's pivot into a different industry, where she landed at Condé Nast shortly after. 

A True Multi-Hyphenate: Who is Camille Darby Outside of her 9-5?

Camille is a fashion and lifestyle influencer inspiring her audience to take on bold looks whether it's to your favorite restaurant, neighborhood walks, or at your job’s office. Amassing over 2,000 followers and 23,000 likes on Tik Tok in her short time being on the platform, it is evident that her “flyness and substance” is one that is relatable to those that follow her and embrace her fashion sense. Not only has her fashion and lifestyle branding impacted her online audience but it has also led to another huge milestone:

• She will be serving as a judge for Raise Fashion, an organization founded in July 2020, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement with the goal of cultivating a more diverse fashion world.

Camille’s career journey is truly inspirational and highlights an untraditional path that resonates with many who want to break into the media space. 

Want to hear from Camille, herself? Check out this Hue Capital Podcast Interview with her from October 2022. She goes more in depth with her upbringing and career journey.

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Interested in making a career pivot into a business and tech role? Check out these two resources I created for professionals like you:

25 In-Demand Business & Tech Roles for 2024

16 Journal Prompts for Pivoting into Business & Tech Roles