Experienced Ready-to-Wear Designer with a specialty in denim. Leading multi-product design and development processes, by balancing the conceptual with the commercial, having a proven ability to successfully create from fibre to final garment. Entrepreneurial spirited, highly adaptable individual that is team driven and confident working in fast-paced environments.
+ Responsible for designing Womens and Girls denim collections - this includes jeans, shorts, skirts, outerwear, tops, dresses and all-in-ones + Aligning with all design teams for overarching concept, with micro focus on denim direction + Working closely with Merchandising on initial line plan - understanding the needs of the company, balanced with important future trends + Research and design into line plan - illustrate each idea in depth to include style and fit, fabric intent, wash proposals, details, with colour and print/ pattern/ graphics to support + Take counterparts Merchandising, Buying, Production through collection - discuss styles per drop, pricing and their suitable suppliers + Build collection with tech packs and samples - a creative problem solving process that provides our suppliers overseas tangible and digital design direction + Refining designs throughout the season - from handover, 1st and 2nd protos, to SMS - we fit and make necessary adjustments - garments are consistently merchandised with Womens and Girls for the importance of creating a cohesive collection Show less
+ Collaborating directly with the Senior Director and CEO creating the brand ‘Denim Forum’ - Aritzia‘s largest re-ordered brand in the company’s history + Lead denim design on Aritzia brands ‘Wilfred Free’ and ‘Sunday Best’ + Comprehensive understanding of internal brand landscapes for creation of new aesthetics + Creative oversight of initial core collection and seasonal styles - illustrated with visual presentations of design boards + Technical lead in construction of all garments and design details - in charge of all technical packages and BOMs - CAD sketches, details, trims and packaging instructions, BOM etc. + Managed product development of all garments alongside designer duties + Sourcing and selecting sustainable and eco-conscious materials - specifically trims + Quality control management of all product - logging comments for internal and external use + Fittings - in charge of construction development and CAD updates for technical packages + Working closely with factories and suppliers to ensure all product information is communicated and that deliveries and deadlines are met Show less
+ Making garments and accessories for Faustine Steinmetz S/S 2018 LFW runway collection showpieces + Fabric construction of threads for final pieces + Problem solving and finding skilled solutions when making + Responsible for assigned outfits and clothing models backstage + Womenswear denim designer and product developer for M&S + Overseeing mainline and premium collections to create clothing catered for each customer’s preference + In charge of U.S. accounts at US Apparel/Denim, designing collections catered to our clients needs + Provided creative direction onsite to R&D, fabric, production and finishing teams for accurate execution of capsule collections + Traveled to various headquarters to present final collections to clients Show less
Collections Designer San Francisco (March 2014 – March 2016) + Levi’s® Line 8 multi-product designer of womens and menswear – core collection, seasonal styles, silhouettes, design details + Rebranded and launched Levi’s® Line 8 collection globally + Led a customer focused initiative - creating concept based collections, focused on storytelling and brand identities + Forecasting macro & micro trend landscapes + Creative direction for denim development across fabric, finish and fit aesthetic + Implemented eco-friendly fabrics and finishes for all categories + Setting seasonal colour palettes + Concept direction given to print, pattern and graphic teams + Led fit sessions on body and the stand + Supervised the training and development of assistant designers with continuing support + Worked closely with counterparts to ensure products succeed through every process and met deadlines Assistant Designer San Francisco (Sept 2010 – March 2014) + Assisted on Levi’s® Line 8, Levi’s® Commuter, Levi’s® Sta-Prest, Non-Denim (CCT), Boy’s and Progressives + Experienced working on multiple product lines across varying teams for diverse demographics + Integral contributions to the growth in volume of the Levi’s® Line 8 collection, resulting in sales of 2 million units over 2 years + Collaborated with the design of Levi’s® first non-denim range, resulting in the sale of 3 million units across the first 3 seasons + Supported the development of innovative and eco-conscious fabrications, finishes and sundries for Levi’s® Commuter + Solely responsible for the capsule collection Levi’s® Sta-Prest + Contributed towards the development of new and existing fits + Responsible for the design and development of all sundries and trims across all collections + Created detailed technical garment sketches and packages + Managed all BOM product development data in PLM + Closely collaborating with counterparts to ensure products were engineered to meet brand standards Show less
+ Directly reporting to Head of Womens and Menswear at McQ + Moodboards for brand relevant concepts for presentations to VP and HOD + Customised samples using surface embellishments and manipulation techniques - for the A/W 2011 Marketing Campaign
+ Building the A/W 2010/11 LFW collection with the Designers, Studio Manager and Buyer + Reproducing patterns and constructing garments for the runway + Lead on redesign for accessories range + Assisting Creative Direction on seasonal lookbook shoot + Showroom Assistant for A/W 10/11 LFW
+ Assisted Print Designer with their day-to-day tasks + Researched archival pieces and created prints for both clothing and accessories - used for presentations
+ Assisted the Head of Print & Pattern for the A/W 2010 Resort collection + Designed graphic artwork for ‘Rose’ skull print scarf, sold in wholesale and retail globally + Moodboard research for historical, archival and contemporary concepts + Lead hand dyeing of fabrics for both solid colour matching and degrade effects + Supported the construction team for A/W 2010 ‘The Horn of Plenty’ collection + Avant-garde fabric manipulation and sampling + Engineering the placement of printed garments on the stand + Making toiles and runway garments with hand finishing Show less