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Creative Director
West & Harlow
Apr 2013 - Present (11 years 1 month)
West & Harlow is an online shopping boutique and lifestyle brand, for fearlessly fashionable women wearing above a size 12. We provide trend reports, wardrobe suggestions and an awesomely curated and handpicked selection of garments from all the top online stores (and a few that you might not know about). We want to save women time and aggravation by pulling everything they want in one easy, amazing place. Our customers are confident, fashion conscious and trend forward plus size women who aren't afraid of bold color, unapologetic prints or accentuating their assets. They participate in fashion trends with a buy now wear now attitude. She is a fearless, savvy, smart, sexy and fashionable plus size women!
• Created all original content including trend forecasting, trend direction and wardrobe compilation.
• Designed or created all stages of business including: concept research, brand identity, archetype customer identification, visual cohesion and design.
• Directed and managed all deadlines, functionality requirements, layout needs and testing for HTML based business.
• Collaborated very closely with a team of back-end web developers to ensure a seamless user interface.
• Created original WooCommerce user manual for support team training.
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Design Associate/Project Manager
Rocky Rochon Design
Jul 2014 - Feb 2015 (7 months)
Rocky Rochon Design (RRD) has been one of the most highly accredited interior design and decorating firms, based in Seattle, in the last 20 years. With both commercial and residential projects all over the United States, RRD specializes in client based approach to design. Priding itself on helping the client find and develop their own aesthetic vision, rather than that of the principle designers, the firm has successfully maintained a fiercely loyal following. My duties and responsibilities include:
• Working with senior designers on concept and direction for multiple projects
• Shopping and purchasing of fabric, pre-fabricated furniture, trim, hardware and
• Managing, tracking and coordinating production of original furniture and hardware designs
• Scheduling contractors, repairs, installations and major construction projects.
• On-site job site visitations and final installations to ensure consistent design concept
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Designer - Kidswear Boy's & Girl's - Contract
REI
Jun 2014 - Aug 2014 (2 months)
Responsible for all aspects of development for REI children's private brands that included knits, woven's, sweaters and soft outerwear for the active, travel and outdoor market for boy's and girl's infant to teen. The division was being put on hold at the end of the season.
• Presented seasonal concept, color, direction and designs through a series of high level meetings with to cross functional managers and company leaders for department.
• Maintained communication with overseas factories ensuring spec details and pattern work were followed accurately.
• Responsible for maintaining all spec packs for division.
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Designer, Women's Sportswear - Contract
REI
Oct 2012 - May 2013 (7 months)
Responsible for all aspects of design and development for two REI private brands that included knits, woven's, sweaters and soft outerwear for the active, travel and outdoor market for women’s sportswear.
• Designed compelling and technical & lifestyle garments for REI two private labels ensuring end use, target costs, & margin goals were met.
• Updated top selling core items, for broader commercial appeal, while maintaining all functional garment needs for true outdoor outfitting.
• Presented seasonal concept, color, direction and designs through a series of high level meetings with to cross functional managers and company leaders for department.
• Collaborated with coordinating department designers, to create and maintain, a cohesive line for all branches of private labels.
• Maintained communication with overseas factories ensuring spec details and pattern work were followed accurately. Responsible for creating and maintaining all spec packs for division.
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Associate Designer, Men's Sweaters
Eddie Bauer
Oct 2009 - Feb 2012 (2 years 4 months)
Designed new looks and reinterpretation’s of heritage men’s sweater pieces for brand re-launch, resulting in the attraction of new, younger consumers for the first time in more than 10 years.. Created original pattern work, cables and yarns for emotional profit driving styles. Successfully collaborated with lead design team and merchant teams to create commercially viable and relevant product for the current retail markets.
• Designed top three selling custom marl colorway’s, a custom yarn formula, generating 60% of the dollars for #1 selling sweater group two years in a row.
• Successfully interpreted Eddie Bauer archive pieces into updated styles, appropriate for current customer base resulting in the #2 top selling sweater (wool-ragg) style for 2010.
• Created original machine knit downs for concept presentations and factory direction using a flat-bed knitting machine.
• Directed hand knit contractors to create one-of-a-kind sweaters and knit downs for pre-season inspiration presentation.
• Built and maintained garment specification packages for construction, fit, fabrication, style and technical drawings from initial concept through commercialization.
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Principle Fashion Blogger and Content Contributer
Locallectual.com
Mar 2009 - Oct 2009 (7 months)
Reported on US made products and their retailers for the online database designed to make these products effortlessly accessible to the average American.
• Created compelling daily blogs highlighting American-made products and their retailers to generate interest and create awareness that ultimately increases sales supports economic growth.
• Contributed content to Locallectual database after researching and verifying new products and retailers to enable average American consumers to find products that will support their local community.
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Assistant Designer, Young Menswear
Nordstrom Product Group
Apr 2008 - Feb 2009 (10 months)
Involved in all aspects of development, including design, for three private labels including sweaters, knit tops, woven tops, and woven bottoms for contemporary young men’s (18-25) department. Created original patterned plaid, jacquard and striped woven fabrics.
• Responsible for concept, presentation and execution for all sweaters, within young men’s private brand labels, for Fall 2009 and Winter 2009.
• Worked directly with Senior Design Director to protect each brand's identity and push differentiation and originality.
• Developed accurate and commercially viable spec packs for up to 200 styles per season and consistently completed work before deadline set by brand calendar.
• Collaborated with and provided design direction for third party design replenishment project that received “Makes Nordstrom Special” award for most profitable and innovative idea of the quarter.
• Researched, conceptualized, and developed new trims, findings, wash and finishing techniques resulting in improved sales and marketability.
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Assistant Designer, Kidswear Boys'
Nordstrom Product Group
Jun 2006 - Apr 2008 (1 year 10 months)
Designed sizes 2-7x, including sweaters, woven tops and bottoms, knit tops and bottoms as well as some outerwear; created brand boards, color palettes and special washes/fabric finishes.
• Took ownership and responsibility of line for two seasons, working directly with design director, while designer position was unfilled.
• Participated in all buy meetings and collaborated with buying team to interpret their needs into brand appropriate garments.
• Developed concepts and provided color, technique, and placement direction for original graphic artwork, collaborating with CAD artist to achieve trend-right graphic T’s.
• Led pilot database software transition team, training peers on efficient practices and providing key feedback for software for future implementations.
• Participated in all fittings, analyzing all aspects of the garment including fit, specs, pattern placement and trim. Worked closely with technical designer to ensure design integrity and fit was maintained.
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Manager
Nordstrom
Oct 2005 - Jan 2006 (3 months)
Nordstrom Flagship Special Holiday Event “Santa’s Lane”
Interviewed and hired a staff of over 60
Managed employees of all ages and levels of experience.
maintained a professional demeanor and decorum under very high stress situations.
Set expectations for customer service and held all employees to expectations
Several members of team promoted after holiday
Assisted customers with concerns and problems
Made accommodations for large groups and special needs families both with schedule and in the moment