Katie Beaudet

• Partner with global brands to drive seasonal product development from concept to production

• Led end-to-end product development for newly acquired MFF brands,
driving innovation from seasonal concept creation to full-scale commercialization and production
• Conducted thorough market research to identify emerging trends, converting insights into actionable design briefs that ensure products meet consumer needs while aligning with brand identity
• Leveraged market insights and trend forecasting to craft actionable design briefs that ensure products meet consumer needs while aligning with brand identity
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams—merchandising, production, and materials—ensuring seamless execution of designs that are both commercially viable and market-ready
• Developed and manage technical specs, overseeing all details of construction, color, and materials to maintain high-quality standards and on-brand execution
• Directed the creation and execution of design packages, ensuring all technical details are accurately translated for factory partners to deliver
• Drove commercialization efforts, refining products through each stage of development to ensure timely market launch, profitability, and alignment with brand goals.

• Led design team in creating and developing seasonal design concepts for both dress and sport footwear, driving product innovation across multiple categories.
• Directed and collaborated with design team to develop seasonal trend concepts, mood boards, and color palettes, presenting key milestones to the Executive Leadership team.
• Conducted thorough market research, traveling domestically and internationally, attending trend presentations, and analyzing vintage and contemporary fashion to inform design direction.
• Partnered with cross-functional teams—merchandising, production, and materials—to ensure product designs were aligned with market needs, customer preferences, and business goals.
• Managed target margins in close collaboration with cross-functional partners, ensuring all product patterns met corporate margin targets while maintaining design integrity.
• Drove a significant increase in bookings, contributing to overall seasonal sales growth:
- Moderate Net Sales of $78.5M, representing 40% of Women’s footwear Net Sales (YTD FY19 through March 2019).
- Moderate Unit Sales of 1.3M pairs, representing 50% of Women’s footwear Unit Sales (YTD FY19 through March 2019).
- Fall ’18 saw a +16% increase in unit bookings, with a -19% reduction in line size, achieving a +43% boost in productivity.
- Spring ’18 increased bookings by 73k units, reduced line size by -20%, resulting in a +71% increase in productivity.
• Mentored and developed the design team, fostering the growth of junior designers while managing their workload and providing guidance on technical and creative challenges.
• Collaborated closely with technicians to refine designs, overseeing the entire development process from prototype to production.
• Traveled to China and India to closely monitor the development process, ensuring timely and high-quality production at partner factories.

• Worked directly with Senior Design Director to develop innovative product designs across multiple categories, ensuring designs aligned with seasonal merchandising and brand strategy.
• Managed junior designers, guiding them through project timelines and design briefs while enhancing their technical footwear knowledge and supporting their growth within the team.
• Conducted in-depth market research, analyzing trends through domestic and international shopping and trend presentations to inform design decisions.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to refine product designs that would succeed in the marketplace, focusing on functionality, aesthetics, and market relevance.
• Detailed and spec’d all styles, ensuring designs aligned with seasonal color, material needs, and market trends, reinforcing the brand’s aesthetic.
• Created and managed design packages, ensuring all technical details were accurately communicated to factories for precise sample production.
• Worked closely with technicians to resolve issues and ensure the smooth transition of each style from prototype to production.
• Traveled to China and India to oversee the development process, ensuring high-quality manufacturing standards were met at factories.

• Collaborated with VP of Design to develop seasonal fashion-forward concepts, translating trends into market-ready designs.
• Conducted market research, attending trend presentations and meetings with material suppliers to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Partnered with sales teams to align product designs with business goals, ensuring designs met customer needs and market demands.
• Merchandised the line with the VP of Design to ensure a balanced and cohesive assortment.
• Created and managed design packages, ensuring all technical details were clearly communicated to factories for accurate sample creation.
• Traveled to China each season to oversee the development process and ensure timely production.
• Collaborated with production and sourcing teams to finalize products, ensuring consistent delivery and quality.

• Worked with lead designer to develop original fashion footwear collections, aligning with seasonal trends and brand direction.
• Conducted trend research, including domestic and international shopping, attending presentations, and meeting with material suppliers to identify new design opportunities.
• Collaborated with sales teams to understand market trends, customer preferences, and special design requests.
• Partnered with technicians to refine each style from proto stage to production, ensuring all designs met quality and timeline standards.
• Traveled to China each season to monitor development and ensure factory alignment with design specifications.

• Assisted lead designers in developing consumer-driven designs, ensuring alignment with seasonal trends and brand objectives.
• Collaborated with sales teams to ensure designs reflected customer preferences and market needs.
• Worked closely with technicians to refine prototypes and monitor styles through to production.
• Traveled to Brazil and China each season to track development with foreign agents and ensure quality control.

• Created in-house trend presentations tailored to each brand within the Nine West portfolio, setting seasonal design direction.
• Provided seasonal trend insights, helping design teams align with emerging market needs and brand strategy.
• Conducted in-depth trend research through market shopping, attending presentations, and visiting material & component trade shows for design inspiration.