We design bold futures.
DDH + Partners is a strategic consultancy helping brands build enduring retail businesses through high-performing commerce ecosystems — across retail, direct-to-consumer, and product development.
We help brands realize and transform vision into profitable retail experiences — from product design, development, assortment and pricing architecture to store concepts, brand storytelling, and operational playbooks.
Our work combines strategic thinking, creative direction, and commercial discipline to build retail programs that scale across locations, markets, and channels.
The world’s most successful brands don’t happen by accident. They are built through disciplined brand and product strategies, intelligent merchandising, and unforgettable customer experiences.
DDH + Partners works with founders, operating teams, private equity and venture capital firms to build integrated commerce ecosystems.
The results are retail and DTC programs designed for scale, performance, and outsized returns.
Our work spans:
• Retail strategy
• Merchandising architecture
• Product ecosystems
• Store concepts and environments
• Brand storytelling
• Retail rollout and expansion
Nike: Science of Speed
Naked Wardrobe
Nike: Joyride
Wone
What We Do
Brand & Retail Strategy
Market positioning, store concepts, expansion roadmaps, and growth strategy.
Merchandising Architecture
Product design, development, vendor sourcing, retail collections, and brand extensions.
Product Ecosystems
Product assortment frameworks, pricing tiers, margin optimization, and category strategy.
Brand & Narrative
Positioning, storytelling, and brand systems that drive retail engagement.
Retail Experience Design
Store environments, visual merchandising systems, and customer journey design.
Launch & Expansion
Retail rollouts, merchandising calendars, and scalable operational playbooks.
Our Approach
Modern brands must operate as complete commerce systems.
Today’s most successful brands combine:
• physical retail
• e-commerce and DTC marketing
• intelligent merchandising
• product ecosystems
• memorable brand experiences
Too often these elements evolve independently.
DDH+Partners helps organizations align product, commerce, and brand into scalable growth platforms.
Our Team
Kjel Dachtler
Managing DirectorWith a track record of building and leading high-growth brands, including strategic roles in design, branding, and product innovation, Kjel is a veteran entrepreneur and executive, with experience creating visionary experiences for brands including Nike, Porsche, Samsung and more. Kjel directs the company’s vision and operations, guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver work that marries creative excellence with strategic impact.
Kristin Hildebrand
Creative DirectorA visionary creative leader with a rich track record in brand strategy, design, and creative development, Kristin spent more than eight years as Nike’s Global Concept Director, where she shaped product narratives and creative direction. Kristin blends strategic insight with compelling visual storytelling to drive innovative, cohesive creative experiences, guiding teams to bring ambitious vision to life.
Matt Wolcott
Content DirectorMatt Wolcott is a seasoned content director with decades of experience spanning commercial film production, post-production, editing, and sound design. He brings a rare, end-to-end mastery of storytelling—shaping everything from raw footage to final mix with precision and intent. Having led and contributed to a wide range of high-profile commercial and branded projects, Matt combines technical fluency with a deeply intuitive sense of narrative, ensuring that every piece of content not only looks exceptional, but drives conversion.
Sarah Carroll
Production DirectorWith over 20 years of experience across production, design, digital asset management, and project coordination, Sarah brings deep operational expertise to the management of cross-disciplinary teams and complex creative workflows. She has a proven ability to guide projects from initial concept through final delivery with precision, clarity, and calm authority, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and creative standards are consistently met. Known for her collaborative leadership style, Sarah acts as the connective tissue between strategy and execution—aligning stakeholders, streamlining processes, and creating the conditions for teams to do their best work.
Adrian Symcox
Design DirectorAdrian is a design director with more than 20 years of experience shaping brand identities and creative systems for some of the world’s most recognized companies, including Apple, The North Face, J.Crew, and GAP. His work spans brand strategy, visual identity, product design, and integrated campaigns, with a focus on building cohesive, scalable design languages that resonate across channels. Adrian brings a refined, systems-driven approach to design leadership—balancing creative ambition with commercial clarity to ensure that every touchpoint contributes to a larger brand narrative. At our studio, he leads the design vision, translating strategic intent into compelling, high-impact creative that elevates both brand perception and performance.
Start with a Conversation
We partner with founders, operators, and investment teams navigating moments of growth, expansion, or transformation. Every engagement begins with a focused discussion to help us understand your ambition.
We work with a limited number of partners at a time — this introductory session is designed to quickly establish where you are, where you want to go, and how we can help you get there.