Jessica Unsell
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About
Innovative design leader with 15+ years driving cross-functional teams and delivering commercial success across intimates, lifestyle, and apparel. Creative direction paired with operational discipline to lead seasonal execution, product development & brand consistency across all stages.
*Known for cultivating collaborative, accountable teams through clear
direction, hands-on coaching, and a grounded, thoughtful leadership style.
*Adept at translating trend intelligence and customer insights into commercial success, aligning design direction with business strategy and merchandising goals.
*Trusted to manage ambiguity, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and lead with precision in fast-paced, high-volume environments. -
Education
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Fashion DesignShannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design
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Bachelor of Fine and Professional ArtKent State University2005
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Experience
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Design ManagerCity of Industry, CAOct 2022 - Present (3 years 8 months)Direct cross-category design operations for a leading national plus-size fashion
brand, spearheading trend translation, color strategy, and seasonal execution
across core, capsule, and chase programs. Lead and develop a team of four
designers, ensuring alignment between creative vision, merchandising priorities,
and brand positioning. Champion workflow optimization, onboarding excellence, and
team-wide process innovation. Directed creative merchandising tools—color CADs,
line sheets, and fabric/trim libraries—ensuring accuracy and brand consistency.
Recommended and implemented MIRO, an online whiteboard platform, to elevate
cross-functional presentations/visual storytelling. -
Interim Design Director / Senior DesignerFELINALos Angeles, CASep 2020 - Oct 2022 (2 years 1 month)Led design process across lounge, activewear, and lifestyle categories, managing
seasonal development from concept through production. Oversaw workflow,
mentored junior designers, and partnered with cross-functional teams to align
product vision with business goals. Stepped in for the Design Director as needed to
manage team operations and strategic decisions. Developed seasonal color
palettes by researching global trends and collaborating with color forecasting
services. -
Senior DesignerRiver+SkyLos Angeles, CA2016 - 2020 (4 years)Owned end-to-end creative direction for modern lounge & lifestyle collections, blending trend forecasting with sustainable
design principles. Oversaw seasonal execution from concept through production, including photoshoots, branding assets,
and digital marketing. Directed assistant designer and led creative development across all sales collateral. -
Design DirectorSpirit ActivewearLos Angeles, CA2015 - 2016 (1 year)Directed full-cycle design operations across Resort, Athleisure & Licensed collections. Managed creative and technical
teams, oversaw product licensing, and executed seasonal strategy from mood board through final production. Headed
creative execution for licensed apparel partnerships including Disney, U.S. military branches, and major collegiate brands. -
Senior DesignerMarika (Limited/Eddie Bauer/Balance)Los Angeles, CA2014 - 2015 (1 year)Spearheaded design for high-volume athletic and activewear lines, partnering with merchandising, tech, and offshore
production teams. Managed planning and execution of trend-right collections while mentoring junior designers. Created
and refined tech packs from sample through PP stage, ensuring speed-to-market and production accuracy. -
DesignerGreen Dragon/ Pink LotusLos Angeles, CA2007 - 2014 (7 years)● Developed the calendar for Design Team
● Worked closely with First and Production Pattern-maker/Tech
● Attended all fittings
● Developed tie dyes and novelty dyes at dye houses -
Assistant DesignerCoco KliksLos Angeles, CA2005 - 2006 (1 year)● Assistant Designer, Freelance Designer, created Line Sheets and Spec Packs for collections.
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Awards
Brecksville Broadview Heights School Foundation scholarship (1 of 300)
Entrant in 2004 CFDA junior design competition (1 of 3)
Selected to represent the United States in the Fur Trade Federation Design
Competition (1 in USA)
Awarded Stephen Whitney Baum Endowed Scholarship (1 of 30) -
Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@jessicalynn, member since 2011
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