PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Innovative, versatile designer known for blending fashion forward aesthetics with commercially successful design strategies. 10+ years of experience across affordable luxury, contemporary and activewear fashion sectors. Proven leadership in end-to-end concept development.

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JOHNNY WAS

2021 - Present

Conceptualized seasonal core design direction and created cohesive, seasonal collections from concept through production for an affordable luxury RTW brand with manufacturers across China, India, Turkey, Vietnam and Los Angeles.

Launched a sustainability and wellness driven, lifestyle sister label, Calme, alongside the Design Director and team, expanding upon the Johnny Was aesthetic to include contemporary women’s apparel, activewear, swim and seasonal accessories.
Spearheaded a sustainable fabric/ trim sourcing initiative to increase core brand recognition and sales across web and in-store retail channels, aligning with the company’s business strategy.
Provided detailed construction call-outs and specs for patternmakers and technical teams.
Allocated factories based on capabilities, quality standards, MOQ’s and capacity. Created and distributed all development tech packs, adhering to strict calendar deadlines.
Orchestrated core fabric, sketch and sample review meetings in order to communicate brand seasonal design concepts and direction. Presented the line to merchandisers and upper mgmt staff.
Coordinated deliverables with vendors and strategized with key internal partners in PD, merchandising and pre-production throughout the design cycle.

YFB YOUNG, FABULOUS & BROKE

2018 - 2020

Crafted cohesive woven washes and solid knit seasonal collections for wholesale, off price and private label retailers such as Revolve, Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Victoria Secret, Nordstrom, Saks Off 5th & TJ Maxx.

Facilitated and managed the design cycle from trend and market research to color palette conception, wash design and development, tech packs, fittings, merchandising and SMS sample coordination through to production.
Identified season-appropriate fabrics, trims, color palettes, prints and wash techniques and pitched merchandised capsules to corporate buyers via CADs and digital sales capsules.
Worked closely with production and sales teams to translate buyer requests into customer-specific merchandise, ensuring high quality standards and accurate inventory.
Communicated detailed sewby, fit sample and pre-production fit comments to overseas teams to include all construction details and accurate fabric/trim information.

EVOLUTIONARY APPAREL - INSPIRED HEARTS

2017 - 2018

Designed lounge and athleisure-wear capsules for monthly market meetings and post-market PD requests and follow-through for bulk-driven retailers such as Dillard’s, TJ Maxx, Francesca’s, Target, Belk and JCPenney.

Digitally illustrated and fabricated technical sketches using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Crafted and spec'd original designs with tech team to prototype commercially appealing apparel pieces.
Created/distributed tech packs for women's woven and knit tops, layering pieces, 3-for-1 junior set categories.

MAX STUDIO

2016 - 2017

Provided support to Head of Design through all phases of line development for customers such as Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Stein Mart, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx.

Conceptualized and designed original and reworked prints using Adobe Photoshop and Ned Graphics. Prepared, tracked and managed artwork send-outs and follow-up.
Produced digital/ fabricated sketches, line sheets, presentation boards and sales tools for cross-departmental line previews and buy meetings.

CREW KNITWEAR - BOBEAU DIVISION

2015 - 2016

Designed cohesive monthly collections for women's knit and woven tops division and executed high-volume, quick-turnaround buyer requests for Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Dillard’s, TJ Maxx, and Target.

Designed, spec’d and executed monthly deliveries and special projects in time with

calendar deadlines – approved lab dips, strike-offs and samples.

Consistently sourced, cost and spec’d fabrics and trims for upcoming collections and communicated with vendors regarding all aspects of the development process.
Liaison between Design and Sales / Facilitated monthly buyer meetings in New York.
Shopped the market for new ideas; interpreted fashion direction and opportunities.

LINEA PELLE

May 2015 - Sept. 2015

Women’s private label and Product Development Associate responsible for developing multiple product categories for customers such as Saks, Banana Republic, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom, WHBM, Express, Ann Taylor and Guess from first proto sample through bulk production.

Spearheaded all aspects of the design process: tech packs, CADs, sketching, trim development, sourcing and forecasting.
Distributed tech packs and new developments to overseas factories daily and coordinated and tracked sampling with internal and external divisions.
Worked in conjunction with Head Designer, Senior V.P. and Sales Manager on new product designs and research and development.

YASB LOS ANGELES

Aug. 2013 - May 2015

Women’s contemporary woven and knits Design Assistant responsible for aiding the development of seasonal collections for wholesale line and private label.

Collaborated with the Head Designer to create 5-8 print groups containing 3-5 styles per print for each monthly delivery.
Developed, reworked and recolored fabric and graphic prints using Ned Graphics and Photoshop making them seamless and in repeat for overseas printing.
Oversaw design details - approved trims, materials, strike-offs, fit and pre-production samples.
Assisted in fittings and communicated technical adjustments to overseas factories.

ROSANA

Feb. 2012 - Aug. 2013

Women’s Design Assistant responsible for maintaining the integrity of the line, ensuring timely delivery of proto samples and serving as a liaison between Design and Production.

Selected seasonal color themes, print groups and trend-relevant silhouettes then merchandised the line into a working collection in conjunction with Head Designer.
Sketched garments as technical flats and communicated construction details to pattern makers.
Designed and updated linesheets, lookbooks, media kits and marketing collateral.