Staff Alumni Spotlights Alumni Statistics Alumni Groups Tiger Troops Spirit Alumni Benefits Around Auburn Auburn Traditions

ALUM Spotlight Melissa Heyworth '01

Most of us flip through fashion and design magazines for fun after the work day is done, but for Melissa Heyworth '01, it's on the job research. As Trend Manager for Adidas, Melissa is responsible for sorting through current trends and forecasting what consumers will want to be wearing on their feet and as athletic wear in the near future. She travels globally to attend fashion and automotive shows for research. She visits art exhibits as well as researches current social issues to study and forecast consumer psychology.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Melissa was a military brat who grew up moving around the U.S. and Europe. Having lived in Germany as a child, it was familiar territory when she moved there to begin her career at Adidas headquarters in Nurnberg. After almost three years living abroad, she was recently transferred to Portland, Oregon, coming full circle back home to the Pacific Northwest.

Q. What have you been doing at Adidas?

A. My experience at Adidas ranges from the creation of global product ranges in Footwear Marketing to setting global trend direction in Footwear Design’s Color and Trend Department.

As Trend Manager, I work 2 years out researching, analyzing, interpreting, and translating trends from different industries ranging from fashion and cosmetics to the home and automotive industries. Then the Color Manager and I filter the information for sportswear relevance, applying trends to products.

Q. What has been the highlight of your career?

A. No one particular experience, as there are many. When you know that you know you have found the perfect fit in a job... this is rewarding and humbling at the same time. Not everyone has the luxury of loving what they do.

Q. How was your experience living in Germany?

A. The experience benefited me professionally as well as shaped who I am as a person. Living and working abroad while holding down my first job was challenging yes, but so enriching. From Hong Kong to Paris, my job has shown me the world. And experiencing diversity in the workplace on a global scale is such a rare opportunity; having colleagues all over the world is a good thing when you want to take a vacation.

Q. What is your favorite memory of Auburn?

A. The Auburn people without question. There is always Auburn in the fall, but the Auburn people are what made a lasting impression on this non-Southerner. The Auburn people and Auburn experience cannot be matched or duplicated.

Q. Any advice to AU undergraduates?

A. Pursue what comes natural to YOU. There is a freedom in following your passion. When you do what you love, you are set up to be successful at what you do. War Eagle!