Kristy Caylor is a co-founder and the president and creative director of Maiyet.

In 2010 Kristy co-founded Maiyet -- a pioneering luxury brand that incorporates rare artisan skills from unexpected places throughout the world, with the goal to promote sustainable employment in places that need it most. Since first presenting the brand in Paris in October of 2011, Maiyet has grown to 45 wholesale doors globally and is regularly featured in international publications including Vogue, Elle, L'Officiel, Harpers Bazaar, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Telegraph. Maiyet recently opened their first store at 16 Crosby in New York.

Kristy began her fashion career at Gap, Inc. leading the Petite business for Banana Republic. There she opened stand-alone stores, restructured the product and fit approach, and tripled the business over 2 years. Relocating to Tokyo, Kristy led Banana Republic Japan merchandising. Kristy gained a deep knowledge of the Japanese market and consumer, was instrumental in growing Banana Republic's market share, and consistently designed and delivered customized product ranges that exceeded sales expectations. Upon returning to the US, Kristy took over the Gap Accessories and Product (RED) divisions. She redeveloped the accessories lines and introduced leather goods. She also focused intensely on creating a more creative and effective business model for Product (RED). She implementing an Africa sourcing strategy while championing the project throughout the Gap organization, with Gap consumers and among industry peers.

Kristy has consulted for global brands including Stronghold Denim, All Saints, Band of Outsiders and Mercado Global, a fair trade company based in Guatemala. As a design consultant for Mercado Global, Kristy worked directly with indigenous artisans, teaching new techniques and guiding product development for an assortment sold to Nordstrom and Levi's. In 2008, Kristy joined Band of Outsiders full time as President and initiated a long-term growth plan that resulted in new product launches, negotiated licensing agreements and expanded wholesale penetration.

Kristy graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and a secondary focus in Fine Arts Painting from Northwestern University. She holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance from University of Southern California and attended Otis College of Arts and Design’s Fashion Design Program.

Business, Business Leadership, Female Leadership, Retail, Philanthropy, Women, Women in Business, Lifestyle