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Jewelry Design Consultant
Freelance
Sep 2013 - Present (10 years 7 months)
Client List:
Jan Leslie - New York, NY
Transitioning Jan Leslie Corp from a men’s jewelry company to a major player in women’s fine jewelry carving out a niche in the inlay and enamel market.
• Determine strategic direction for premiere women’s jewelry collection by analyzing existing market competition, current and future market trends and new material/technique research
• Collaborate with Merchandising in assortment planning and establishing Jan Leslie women’s jewelry DNA
• Collections feature handcrafted silver jewelry with semi precious gemstone at $250 - $1500 retail
• Design process include concept hand sketches, illustrator/photoshop renderings and tech packs for sample production
• Recruit and supervise 3D designers for the development of 3D renderings and prototypes
• Source vendors appropriate for new design applications local and overseas; negotiate cost and delivery time frame
• Manage local and overseas vendor communication for samples and revisions
Almar Sales – Designer Division - New York, NY
Develop iconic Core Jewelry Collection for Sam Edelman to effectively strengthening brand identity and recognition.
• Identify and translate key essence of successful Sam Edelman shoe brand into equally dynamic jewelry collection
• Establish branding elements for Sam Edelman Core Collection while staying relevant to current market trends
• Collaborate with Sam Edelman Merchandising team for cohesive blending of the different product categories
• Facilitate Almar Sales Merchandising team in assortment planning and achieving base metal designs within $35-150 target price sold at better department stores such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus
• Present concept, sketches and CAD designs to both teams for final approval
• Supply Product Development team with tech packs, participate in sample review and provide revision instructions
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Jewelry Design Director/Product Developer
Imooi
New York, NY
2005 - Sep 2013 (8 years 5 months)
Designed and developed seasonal collections for bridge and costume jewelry for women and men as well as vegan handbags * Designed and developed bridge jewelry collections in silver with semi precious stones ranging from $150 - $5000, costume jewelry collection priced from $45 - $150 and vegan handbags priced from $25 - 60 * Identified trends, maintained and developed seasonal collection presentation boards for Merchandising * Collaborated with Merchandising to determine product assortment for seasonal collections * Occasionally met with clients to review current collections and gather feedback for future designs * Completed hand sketches for concept approval and define color and material scheme for each season * Developed designs to completion via computer aided renderings for initial presentation and subsequent revisions * Produced computer generated tech packs for all chosen designs * Sourced vendors, materials and techniques appropriate for each design fulfilling cost, quality and time prerequisites * Facilitated in the prototype process communicating design specifications with local and overseas vendors * Negotiated cost and production schedule with vendor to achieve profit margin and timely delivery * Prepared cost analysis and retail mark up * Collaborated with marketing and sales team to assure products are presented favorably at tradeshows * Developed appropriate packaging materials for jewelry and accessories ie/ pouches, cufflinks boxes etc.
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Jewelry Designer
Private Clients
New York, NY
2000 - 2005 (5 years)
Designed and created one of a kind silver and gold jewelry pieces for private clients ranging from runway pieces to wedding bands
• Effectively communicated with customers through hand sketches and wax prototypes
• Sourced raw materials such as precious/semi precious stones, findings and trimmings appropriate for each design
• Hand fabricated custom pieces utilizing wax carving for casting, wire bead works, hand polishing and stone setting
• Calculate accurate costing and set appropriate profit margins
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Custom Design Product Developer
Tiffany & Co
New York, NY
1995 - 2000 (5 years)
Coordinated the development and production of retail VIP customers as well as corporate custom designs for private clients such as Lancome, MLB, NFL * Liaison between sales and design department ensuring custom request is designed according to customer's specification * Sourced raw materials and vendors with appropriate manufacturing capabilities within the budget for each project * Managed local vendors during prototype and production ensuring design, quality, budget and delivery schedules are met * Prepared cost analysis and retail mark up * Projects retailed at $25 - $150,000 ranging from stone intensive fine jewelry to championship rings and trophies * Participated in weekly reviews for ongoing and new projects with sales and design department