SKILLS

  • Ability to set creative tone to inspire team with new concepts while creating visual presentations to get buy-in on key and fashion items

  • Versatile in both Men’s and Women’s: Sweaters, Knits, Wovens, Tailored, Dresses, Denim and Ath- leisure

  • Expert in draping, pattern making, garment construction and working with sample rooms

    EXPERIENCE

    BANANA REPUBLIC

    Senior Designer Men’s Casual Outerwear — 2018 - Present

  • Worked on the Branding Standards for Outerwear across men’s and women’s categories

  • Responsible for the fit direction and construction standards for men’s woven product categories • Balanced fit for denim, casual bottoms, dress pants and tailored products

  • Works closely with VP of Design

  • Worked on new fit & product expressions fo launch of new ath-leisure label “BR Standard”

  • Presented product to store staff and provided information for product educational manuals

  • Developed and implemented virtual and remote work processes

  • Manage team of 4

    CCA-CALIFORNIA CREATIVE ARTS COLLEGE

    Adjunct Professor Fashion Illustration — 2020 - Present

  • Develop curricular for Technical Fashion Illustration

  • Teach students using both in person and online tools.

    PLY

    Co-Founder — 2013 - 2018

  • Responsible for Creative Direction of all product categories

  • Set seasonal stories and color direction

  • Style and shoot product for PR, Look Books, Website and Advertisements

  • Produced NYFW Runway Shows and presentations

  • Work closely with Magazines(Essence, Glamour, Elle and Vogue) to produce looks for Celebrity(Jill Scott, Adrienne Moore & Danielle Brooks) photoshoots.

    MM LAFLUER

    Product Development Consultant — 2017 - 2018

  • Converted details from Contemporary line to Plus Size

  • Worked on fit for first Plus Size offering

  • Worked closely with President and Design Director to build block library and execute plus size fit

    initiatives

    ANTHROPOLOGIE

    Acting Design Director - Soft Wovens — 2014 - 2017

  • Responsible for women’s dresses, skirts and blouses

  • Managed team of 6 designers

  • Worked with Trend Director to build product concepts and color palettes • Selected seasonal fabric and trims for sample yardage development

  • Presented color and product concepts to Leadership Teams

  • Worked with CAD team on print development and usage

  • Worked with in-house sample room managing Proto development

  • Worked to set up Creative Tech Department

  • Attended fittings and work thru solutions with fit technicians

    Maurices

    Freelance Designer - Athletic — 2014

  • Responsible for developing womens initial athletic collection • Developed collection in groups

  • Built out print and color direction and utilization

  • Selected fabric and trims for sample yardage development.

    NYC ALLIANCE

    Senior Designer Cut & Sew Knits — 2012 - 2014

  • Lead new knit division to becoming TJ Maxx’s #1 knit supplier in two years

  • Traveled to Europe to shop for inspiration and product examples for trend report

  • Set trend direction and build color palettes

  • Traveled to Asia to buy fabric at the fabric markets and work with factories on initial Proto development

  • Presented trend/color to department store buyers

  • Presented product to department store buyers building out custom presentations for each client

  • Established special collaboration with print houses to develop prints working from our trend direction and providing feedback on their print sample yardage development

  • Attended fittings and worked with vendor and internal fit profiles

    CHARMING SHOPPES

    Senior Designer Missy/Plus Dresses, Wear to Work and Blouses — 2011 - 2012

  • Design Dresses, Pants, Skirts, Jackets and Blouses in line with the Trend Concept and Color Direction

  • Selected and Developed Fabric and Trim appropriate for the season and silhouette • Collaborated with Cross Functional Teams to ensure higher product adoption

  • Attended fitting and work thru solutions with fit technicians

ELLI GRACE STORE

Co-Founder — 2008 - 2011

  • Set trend and color concepts for product and store layouts

  • Oversaw buying of accessories

  • Designed product and places for small production runs in internal and external sample rooms/ factories

  • Managed staff of 3

    MANUEL

    Design Director — 2005 - 2008

  • Responsible for all categories of product men’s & women’s

  • Traveled to Europe and Asia for inspiration

  • Set trend and color concepts

  • Sourced and developed fabric and trim seasonally

  • Managed team of 5 designers to design and execute all product categories

  • Worked with pattern and sample rooms in Italy, China and Turkey to develop protos

  • Traveled to Europe and Asia to work with factories and place product in conjunction with the VP of Sourcing and Production

  • Set up and maintain sample, travel and proto budgets.

  • Presented collections at NYFW shows and presentations

    JCPENNEY

    Designer J.Ferrar — 2002 - 2005

  • Set Brand Direction(Relaunch)

  • Increased sales from 35 to 90 million while increasing gross margin from 35 to 43 points.

  • Set Trend Direction and Color Concepts Seasonally

  • Traveled to Asia and Europe seasonally for trend and product concepts

  • Traveled to Asia seasonally for proto development

  • Presented product and merchandising ideas to buyers

  • Added the following product categories: Suits, Socks, Underwear, Ties, Dress Shirts and small leather accessories

  • Promoted to include Simply for Sports(athletic brand), City Streets Boys and Towne Craft.

    COTE DE FRANCE

    Head Designer — 1998 - 2002

  • Launched 3 new divisions during my time there(Boys, Big & Tall and Young Mens)

  • Set trend direction and color concepts seasonally

  • Traveled to factories to establish new construction standards

  • Presented trend and product ideation to buyers and sales team

EDUCATION

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Fashion Design and Communications — 1994