GRETCHEN ROSE VALADE, CARHARTT, INC.

Representing the 5th generation of Carhartt, Inc., the iconic 130+ year old Dearborn, MI-based apparel manufacturer, Gretchen has immersed herself in all aspects of the family business starting from a young age. From consumer insights to product conception, from garment creation to product delivery, Gretchen’s value lies in her intimate knowledge and insight into all aspects of the retail manufacturing process. 

 After graduating with a business marketing degree from DePaul University in 2012, Gretchen gained exposure to the supply chain and global sourcing sides of retail while working at Li & Fung’s Hong Kong offices and visiting manufacturing facilities in China and India. 

Returning to Carhartt, Inc. in 2013, Gretchen moved to New York City to hone her visual merchandising and product presentation skills at the Carhartt sales showroom. After returning to Detroit, where she currently resides, Gretchen has rounded out her skillset to include competitive brand analysis, consumer insights, product development & merchandising, and digital & retail merchandising. Gretchen’s most recent project was leading the development and 2020 launch of the Carhartt Workshop, a community space offering a free tool lending library, free community meeting spaces, and a brand history and storytelling experience, located on the floor above Carhartt’s flagship store in Detroit, MI. She is currently the Director of Sustainability. No stranger to hard-work or hard-working people, Gretchen continues to seek opportunities to expand her knowledge while looking for new and exciting ways to serve both customers and the community at large. 

 Outside of her love for apparel, Gretchen is an advocate for the arts in Detroit. She currently resides on the boards of the Detroit Institute of Art’s Founders Junior Council and Signal Return, a community letterpress print shop located in Detroit’s Eastern Market.