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Sarah Hayes

Womenswear Design Consultant
Portfolio website
About

Hello, I'm Sarah a fashion designer with over 10 years of experience specialising in jersey and knitwear. Previously at Michael Kors (NYC) I now reside in London, UK.

Previous Brands
BexTex Ltd.
Jonathan Simkhai
Michael Kors
Michael Kors (continued)
Work Experience
Design Consultant
Apr ‘21 - Now
Self employed

• Working on independent WW jersey & knitwear design projects for clients internationally. Services include: technical package development, trend & colour research, concept creation, fabric/ yarn/trim sourcing, knit swatch development, silhouette exploration (hand/illustrator/CAD sketches).

Senior Designer
May ‘19 - Apr ‘20
Michael Kors

MMK Womenswear Knitwear & Jersey Senior Designer (May 2019 - April 2020) • Led the design process for the jersey & knitwear department, overseeing all stages from concept development to production by using trend intelligence and an understanding of the current and past business history. • Identified innovation opportunities through market research and trade event participation. • Collaborated with Design Director to create seasonal mood boards for colour, fabric, and design direction. • Conducted meetings with fabric and overseas vendors; sourced and selected new fabrics/yarns. • Managed seasonal SRS fabric/yarn charts, recoloured artwork, created pitch sheets; oversaw the lab dip and strike off approval process from concept to production. • Presented seasonal sketches, fabrics, and yarn selection to senior management. • Created SRS tech packs with technical sketches, measurements, construction details, fabric/yarn information, colour, and trim details. • Managed junior designers by conducting monthly touch bases, providing guidance, feedback, and support to foster their professional growth. Administered annual reviews to assess their performance and set development goals. • Built strong cross-functional relationships with merchandisers, production team, and technical designers. • Collaborated with sales and production teams to understand cost constraints, delivering cost-effective design solutions. • Led fittings and worked with technical designers to ensure desired fit for production; clearly communicated any changes to production team and overseas factory.

Designer
May ‘16 - May ‘19
Michael Kors

• Supervised the jersey & knitwear department from ideation to manufacturing, utilizing trend analysis and a comprehensive grasp of the company's historical performance. • Collaborated with Design Director on seasonal concept; presented seasonal sketches, fabrics, and yarn selection to senior management. • Selected qualities from mills and vendors that fell in line with seasonal concept and company aesthetic. • Created, ordered, sent out, and maintained SRS fabric/yarn charts for each season. • Created SRS tech packs with technical sketches, measurements, construction details, fabric/yarn information, colour, and trim details. • Managed all overseas communication with sample facilities for sample execution from concept to production. • Managed junior designers professionally and creatively, ensuring all deadlines were met. • Built strong cross-functional relationships with merchandisers, production team, and technical designers. • Recoloured prints and artwork to support seasonal concept; created pitch sheets, sent out artwork and colour standards to overseas factories; oversaw the lab dip and strike off approval process from concept to production. • Attended fittings and worked with technical designers to ensure desired fit for production.

Associate Designer
Oct ‘13 - May ‘16
Michael Kors (continued)

MMK Womenswear Knitwear & Jersey Associate Designer (October 2013 - May 2016) • Researched market, media and internal brands for design inspiration, fabric, silhouette, and trim ideas. • Collaborated with woven design team to develop cohesive seasonal collections consisting of initial sketches, CADs, knit downs, and embellishment layouts. • Contributed to design brainstorming sessions and offered creative ideas & cost effective design solutions. • Conducted fabric/yarn research and sourcing activities with overseas and local vendors. • Developed tech packs with sketches, SRS measurements, fabric, colour, trim, and construction details. • Assisted with sample fittings and made design adjustments as needed. • Prepared presentation materials for buyer meetings. • Communicated daily to overseas vendors to implement and manage development process to completion. • Created, ordered, sent out, and maintained SRS fabric/yarn charts for each season. • Oversaw fabric, yarn and print development from conception to production.

Assistant Technical Designer
May ‘12 - Oct ‘13
Michael Kors

• Assisted Sr. Technical Designer in creating SRS tech packs, including detailed specifications for measurements, materials, and construction methods. • Prioritized fit list, measured samples, organized fit tools, and checked fit history prior to attending fittings. • Released technical packages with first fit specifications and corrections to overseas office. • Assisted in size grading and resolved any production issues related to sizing, proportions, and embellishment layouts.

Freelance Design Assistant
Apr ‘12 - May ‘12
Jonathan Simkhai

• Drafted/fixed patterns, rendered Illustrations, and draped Resort '13 looks.

Internship
Jun ‘11 - Jan ‘12
BexTex Ltd.

• Designed and developed embroidery, print layouts, and denim wash treatments. • Developed cohesive seasonal collections consisting of initial sketches, CADs, and embellishment layouts; completed tech packs for initial prototype sampling. • Worked with sample makers to complete garments in a timely manner.

Languages
English - Native
Education & Training
Savannah College of Art and Design
‘07 - ‘11
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Fashion
London, UK