Business of Fashion: UC alum heads Banana Republic men's design
DAAP grad Nicole Wiesmann talks about creating a purpose-driven design culture
Nicole Wiesmann/Business of Fashion
Business of Fashion recently interviewed design leaders at clothing and accessories retailer Banana Republic to discover how they foster a culture of optimism and enable employees to find purpose in creativity. One of those leaders, Head of Men’s Design Nicole Wiesmann, graduated from the University of Cincinnati — and has been working in fashion ever since.
After completing her fashion design degree at UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning in 1993, Wiesmann went on to work for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Structure, Nautica and Vince. She first joined Banana Republic in 2003 and stayed until 2013, returning to the company four years later because of the “amazingly optimistic" culture there.
In her interview with Business of Fashion, Wiesmann talks more about company culture, the way technology has transformed the working environment, how to create purpose and a motivate a team, and what she looks for when hiring new talent.
Related Stories
Two University of Cincinnati colleges benefit from $4 million gift
November 7, 2025
University of Cincinnati alumni Mohammad H. Qayoumi, MS ’79, MS ’80, MBA ’84, PhD ’83 and Najia Karim, BS ’82, MEd ’83, RD, have made a $4 million gift supporting two of the university’s colleges. A donation from the couple establishes a fund and an endowed chair at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as an endowed chair at the College of Allied Health Sciences.
UC student finds her stride at Pig Works co-op
November 7, 2025
Pig Works race director Jeanette Kiely praises UC co-op students like Dylan Eggleton for their professionalism, flexibility and readiness to take hands-on roles in major Cincinnati race events such as the Flying Pig Marathon. Kiely says UC students are well prepared and eager to learn.
Shining like a disco ball: Rachel Hoermann’s story of finding passion and purpose at UC
November 6, 2025
Rachel Hoermann has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood. But like many who grew up in Ohio’s rust belt, the idea of going to college felt out of reach. For years, she cycled through work that never quite satisfied her creative drive. That changed when she came across a box that once belonged to her father—a discovery that would alter the course of her life.