Danielle Sponder Testa, Ph.D.

Advancing forecasting research, retail innovation, and consumer insight to shape the future of fashion, retail, and the creative industries.

Research
Curriculum Vitae
A woman with red hair wearing a bright green blazer sitting at a large wooden table in a modern, well-lit room with large windows and mannequins displaying fashion designs.
Two women, one with long blonde hair wearing a bright green blazer and colorful shirt, and the other with shoulder-length brown hair in a strapless top and ripped jeans, standing and smiling at a dress form mannequin in a fashion design studio, surrounded by mannequins, fabric, and design sketches.

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

Dr. Testa works across industry and academia to anticipate how organizations and individuals can adapt to, and lead change in fashion, retail, and the creative industries.

Signature Contributions

SMACKES

SMACKES
Forecasting Methodology

Developing new forecasting research methods for creative industries.

A person touching a reflective glass surface that shows a blurred reflection of their hand and a blue sky with clouds.

The Phygital Economy
Retail Technology Theory

Explaining the next evolution of consumer value creation through integrated experiences.

A woman in a red sequined dress with gold earrings standing outdoors with a cloudy sky and sandy landscape in the background.

Small Concept Luxury Department Stores (SCLD)
Retail Format Theory

Introducing a new framework for experiential luxury retail.

Recent Highlights

  • Founded The Forecast Lab at ASU FIDM, merging industry forecasting methodologies with student innovation through interdisciplinary research, applied learning, and industry collaboration.

  • Authors the annual, national Fashion Scholarship Fund scholarship competition case studies across Design & Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing, and Business Strategy, engaging more than 1,000 applicants annually and helping shape the work of approximately 160 Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholars each year.

    Serves as Founding Professor and Head of Curriculum for FSF University.

  • Developed SMACKES, an original forecasting research methodology designed to connect macro-environmental change with creative decision-making across fashion, retail, design, and related creative disciplines.

    Lead research on The Phygital Economy, published in the Journal of Retailing. Identifying future directions in retail, merging digital and physical experiences.