Her Story
About Sophia
Sophia Legros has spent about 25 years in the fashion industry, most recently serving as Vice President of Product Integrity, Social Compliance, and Sustainability for Square Group, owners of brands such as Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand, Reebok, Eddie Bauer, and others. In this role she oversaw product safety and compliance, ethical sourcing with no child labor or discrimination, and embedding sustainability throughout operations and culture. Prior positions included director-level work focused on major retailers like Costco, BJ's, and Walmart, as well as roles at Aiden NNA and Basina Brand. She holds an associate's degree from Bergen Community College, a certification from the Yale School of Management Women's Leadership Program, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and is a licensed realtor and mobile notary in New Jersey. Sophia is an active member of Women in Retail, IXO, AESA, and the Women in Retail Leadership Circle. She is passionate about mentoring teams, counseling women facing industry challenges, and supporting her community through donations of professional attire and prom dresses. She attributes her success to personal drive and motivation, values honesty, respect, transparency, and integrity, and advises young women entering the field to work hard, maintain realistic expectations, and walk away from unappreciative environments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sophia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from drive and motivation. When I had my daughter young, I had no guidance or mentor and faced negativity, but I knew I deserved better. Having my daughter was a wake-up call that pushed me to keep plugging away and make a difference.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice came from my last boss who said, don't you ever stop being you. You're one of a kind. In a world of changes that are not exactly positive, don't stop being you, don't stop reaching out for others, don't stop wanting to build your team and be successful. Maintain your integrity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared to work hard and stand for what you believe in. Come in with realistic expectations because it's not glamorous like Sex and the City. Your work may be stolen. If you're not appreciated, it's okay to walk away and find a place where your efforts are rewarded. Don't sit in positions rotting away.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity and requirement now is the government e-file mandate where every product must be tested to enter the country or face fines and loss at port. This requires strong testing and social compliance programs because factories that mistreat employees cut corners. Product integrity and social compliance are now must-haves, not nice-to-haves, and teams like mine are needed more than ever.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, respect, transparency, and integrity are huge for me. Doing the right thing may not feel good but you have to do it, and you get repaid with good karma. Being a snake to get ahead will catch up with you, possibly generationally. My goal is always to try to do the right thing to the best of my ability.
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