Christian Davies Joins FRCH

Christian Davies, formerly vp of creative for Utility Inc. (Seattle), has been named vp, retail design strategy/creative director, for FRCH Design Worldwide (Cincinnati).

Davies, who previous to Utility was executive creative director of The Retail Group (Seattle), began his career in the London office of Fitch: Worldwide (Powell, Ohio), subsequently becoming a creative director of the firm's U.S. retail business in the late 1990s. A 12-year veteran of retail design and strategy in both the U.S. and Europe, he has worked for a wide range of U.S. clients, including Bebe, Chrysler, Coca Cola, Clarks, Columbia Sportswear, Nickelodeon, Polaroid, Reebok, Timberland and Universal Studios and has won a variety of international honors, including a Business Week Designs of the Decade Award.

A frequent commentator on international design trends in publications ranging from VM+SD to World Architecture, his work has been featured in USA Today, Marie Claire and The London Sunday Times, among others. He will be a featured speaker for the third consecutive year at VM+SD's International Retail Design Conference in Miami, Sept. 17-19, 2003.

“As FRCH expands our existing retail strategy and branding offerings, we are very pleased to be adding a creative talent of Christian's stature to our organization,” said ceo James Tippmann. “He is known by retailers and brand manufacturers throughout the U.S. and abroad for his innovative designs for an impressive list of clients ranging from Chrysler to Timberland to Hard Rock Hotel. His combination of creative abilities and strategic thinking will be a key component in the expansion of both our domestic and international businesses, while simultaneously folding him into a number of our existing client relationships.”