Liv Alder
Olivia “Liv” Alder is a passionate fashion professional with a strong background in visual merchandising and retail display. Her journey in fashion began in high school at a bridal boutique, where she honed her skills fitting tuxedos and assisting with customer service. She later transitioned to J. Jill, where her interest in visual merchandising flourished, eventually leading her to pursue a Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising and Management (2017) and a Master’s in Global Fashion Enterprise (2019) from Philadelphia University. During her time at university, she actively contributed as a board member of the Fashion Industry Association, organizing annual fashion shows and industry trips to New York City, experiences that helped her develop leadership, collaboration, and production skills.
After graduation, Liv applied her expertise at Macy’s in Willow Grove, where she worked as a visual merchandiser and later as a visual merchandising lead. One of her proudest achievements was creating a visual display that was featured on Macy’s visual Instagram and adopted as a standard across the company. She continued to expand her experience at Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and Mattresses and currently works at Burlington Stores in Location Planning. Her professional focus blends creativity, operational precision, and teamwork, aiming to elevate in-store experiences while fostering collaboration among colleagues.
Outside of her professional life, Liv enjoys an active and fulfilling lifestyle with her spouse and their dog, Luna Bell. They love exploring the outdoors, traveling, and enjoying culinary adventures with friends. She is also passionate about fitness, regularly attending the gym, and enjoys relaxing with her favorite fashion magazines, staying inspired by current trends and creative ideas. Balancing a love for fashion, visual storytelling, and personal wellness, Liv brings both dedication and creativity to every aspect of her life.
• Philadelphia University- Bachelor's
• Philadelphia University- Master's
• Visual display featured on Macy's visual Instagram and adopted across Macy's visuals
• Fashion Industry Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I have to say my drive and really just my passion for the fashion industry, and the fact that I love clothing. That passion has been the driving force throughout my career, from my early days at the bridal boutique through my work in visual merchandising. It's what keeps me motivated and excited about the work I do, even during challenging times.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would probably have to say just be yourself, and the right job will find you. I've always found that to be true, especially in this industry. Authenticity is so important in fashion, and when you stay true to who you are, the right opportunities will come your way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the fashion world is trying to make yourself stand out. There are so many unique people in this industry, and you're constantly trying to put yourself above the rest and make yourself that one person that a company chooses. The fashion world is so unique, so you're really trying to make yourself stand out in a room full of people and a room full of resumes. It's incredibly competitive.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The ability to work as a team is incredibly important to me. I've never really worked solo, even though some of the jobs I've had were advertised as solo positions, but it's really all about team collaboration. That's something that's really important within the industry. I also value the ability to communicate and always find middle ground, even when there's a problem. There's always conflict in the workplace, and I believe in the ability to not avoid conflict, but to find middle ground and solve it. That's always really important to me.