Caryn Hofmann

• Collaborated with other designers on team to make sure our Socialite aesthetic remained focused as we divided design work.
• Designed woven tops, knit tops, dresses, and bottoms for junior/young contemporary customer for both private label and line production totaling over 21 different accounts/customers.
• Sourced fabrics and trims for line development, working closely with vendors from concept through production.
• Oversaw fittings including first fits, PP samples, and TOPS.
• Managed team of three designers and two assistants at various levels and focus of design.
• Worked directly with sales team on account/market feedback and ensured their needs were met by design team on projects and monthly basis by keeping line and product focused.
• Worked closely with first patternmaker on new designs to ensure concept and proper proportions were achieved with minimal corrections.
• Designed product that was fresh and on trend yet conscious of the mass consumer and price point.
• Delegated flow of design projects accordingly, including account based project development, web + media samples, CAD presentations, artwork development, and line design.
• Developed color story and design direction for monthly market with team based on our trend research and deliveries.
• Followed private label trend direction from core accounts and divided work among team based on their strengths.

• Right hand to company owners and acted as filter for day to day operational questions as well as acting authority when they were unavailable.
• Expanded company from a concept to successful reality at a rapid pace by putting in extra work and wearing multiple hats ensuring our commitment to quality was not sacrificed.
• Liaison between all areas of company from design concepts through final production process and was go-to person for any red flags/ last minute changes.
• Ability to trouble shoot and effectively gets to root of problem enabling me to swiftly produce logical solutions.
• Implemented fabric and trim coding system for company and inventory organization.
• In beginning of company, placed production cuts and fabric PO’s.
• Initial tech pack set up and pre-production costing.
• Initiated organization of design room and procedures.
• Developed voice for brand on social media outlets and blog from 2010- October 2012

Associate Designer for private label manufacturer partnered with factory in China. Company focus on Juniors knit and woven tops, dresses, outerwear and sweaters for brands/stores such as Guess, Buffalo Jeans, and Ross .

In office point person and support for traveling sales team of twelve designers/stylists. Managed and filtered all their requests through team of 5 in house assistants to ensure all press kits, garment presentations, and design development was executed properly and sent out same day to wherever in the world our clients were at the time. This enabled team of designers/stylists to offer service completely catered to their clients needs and busy schedules.

Worked with our production manager and in-house tailors to ensure all garments would be completed by tight deadlines, many times less than 24 hours for turnaround. Would trouble shoot delays and communicate solutions with designers ensuring customer service was always on point and made the impossible possible.

Handled fittings in house for local and traveling clients when their designer was on the road.

Worked on creation and growth of élevée Lifestyle Magazine, featuring and targeted toward our clientele of professional athletes, entertainers, and agents. This included booking traveling, designing featured product, reviewing and editing layouts and descriptions, maintaining mailing list, as well as final shipping.

Oversaw and managed shipping of over $100,000 in custom clothing to high profile clientele on a daily basis while managing team of 5 assistants to ensure all clothes were properly merchandised and quality controlled before being sent.

Purchased and maintained inventory of men's accessories including cufflinks, ties, tie bars, belts, socks, and shoes for completing custom outfits.

Organized and tracked inventory of full luxury RTW showroom including sweaters, denim, outerwear, shirtings, casual wear,
and scarves/hats all developed exclusively in Italy for Jared M./ élevée. Worked with stylists on pulls for photo shoots and events.

Assistant designer to four lead designers for Junior labels Selé, Taylor and Hyde, & Yank which included knit and woven tops, dresses, and business suitings.
• Managed flow of sample making process from 1st patternmaker, cutting, sewing, and tagging.
• Sourced fabrics and trims for line development, working closely with vendors from concept through production.
• Dyed fabrics and components to fit story and account colors.
• Garment wash, embellishment, embroidery and screen print development.
• Organized Market line sheets and follow up including sample duplication under tight deadlines, keeping open communication, with sales tam and buyers.