Building Stronger Buyers, Stronger Teams, and Stronger Businesses
Hi, I’m Elisabeth Mac Hale.
For over 25 years I’ve worked across nearly every facet of fashion buying. From designing garments in factories to leading global buying teams. Throughout my career here’s what Ii’ve come to learn
The biggest barrier to success isn’t talent or ambition. It’s the gap between what buyers are taught and what the job actually demands.
That’s the gap I’m here to close.
Closing The Industry Gap
Fashion doesn’t slow down. New seasons launch, numbers roll in, and the pressure to deliver never lets up. But too often, buyers are left to figure things out on their own—and businesses feel the strain when underprepared teams can’t keep pace.
My mission is to change that.
I help buyers build the real-world skills that make them confident, capable, and ready to lead. I work with teams to strengthen capability across the department so leaders can focus on driving the business forward instead of plugging daily gaps. And I partner with companies to sharpen category strategy, streamline processes, and unlock the commercial results that come from a strong buying function.
Because at every level, one truth holds: stronger buyers create stronger businesses.
“My goal is to help buyers understand not just what to do or how to do it but why. When you understand the why, you become faster, more strategic, and truly indispensable.”
From Factory Floor to Buying Office: My Journey Through Fashion
My fashion career after art college began on a factory floor as a designer, where I learned firsthand how products come to life. From there, I moved into a retail buying office as a designer, then transitioned fully into buying roles where I discovered my true calling.
This unique path across both creative design and commercial fashion management gave me comprehensive insights into every aspect of the fashion business. I understand how fashion merchandising connects with buying strategy, and how effective fashion training can accelerate career development at every level
I’ve worked across the complete product journey, from working in retail, to designing garments to leading buying strategies for global retailers. I’ve managed teams, developed junior talent, and seen what separates successful buyers from those who struggle. This unique path across both creative design and commercial fashion management gave me comprehensive insights into every aspect of the fashion business. I understand how fashion merchandising connects with buying strategy, and how effective fashion training can accelerate career development at every level
But here’s what really drives me: Throughout my career, I’ve watched talented professionals struggle simply because no one taught them the commercial skills they needed. I’ve seen companies lose good people because proper training doesn’t exist. I’ve been the hiring manager wondering why qualified candidates feel so unprepared for the realities of the job.
That’s why I founded The Design Directive to close the training gap that holds back buyers, teams, and businesses. Today, I use that experience to deliver practical training, mentorship, and consulting that give buyers the confidence to lead and businesses the results they need.
My Services
I support buyers, teams, and businesses through three core areas:
Resources for Buyers
Self-paced courses and tools that build real-world commercial skills and confidence.
Team Training
Structured programs that strengthen capability across every level of your buying team.
Corporate Consulting
Strategic support to optimize categories, sharpen processes, and improve results.
Every business deserves capable buyers and confident teams.
If that’s what you’re looking for, I’d love to talk about how I can help