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