Designer Interview – Shobaa Sherawat
I’ve enjoyed a prosperous and enriching career in progressive Technical Design, Product Development & Designer roles, with great companies including Tommy Hilfiger, CK, Isaac Mizrahi, Nautica, Talbots and now dressbarn. I have a strong track record of leading and developing teams, establishing strong partnerships with Design, Merchandising, and Product Development, as well as training and setting up process at factories.
I immensely enjoy working for dressbarn. It’s refreshing to see a culture like dressbarn and to work with such wonderful professionals!
My focus includes building teams, creating world class process and product, which helps the increase of sales and consumer brand acceptance by establishing consistent fits and quality across all categories. I’m also responsible for implementing new standard fit blocks across all categories, reviewing brand appropriate sizing and overseeing factory training.
Design has always been a passion, and as I progressed, I realized the level of contribution I would be able to make in Technical Design – and grew to love it!
I decided to go the opposite direction from my family’s choice of careers, which included scientists and entrepreneurs, and attended Design school, where I became enamored by fashion and the runway. I received the best collection of the year award and continued developing as a Designer, and following, progressed in both Technical Design & Product Development.
I’m fascinated with continuous learning. While training others, I’m learning simultaneously and really enjoy the sharing of best practices and knowledge.
There are always multiple solutions around any situation, and it’s important to think outside the box. The focus of long term goals should be to create efficiencies and a better product, eliminate redundancies and feel proud of what you have accomplished!
My advice to other Designers – be patient and truly hone in on learning and absorbing to ensure a great foundation first. Always be hungry and learn best practices from others around you. This will allow you to be open for solutions and recommendations from your peers.
My motto: never stop learning!
I look forward to personally meeting with Designers and Technical Designers, at all levels, at dressbarn’s upcoming Fashion Design & Technical Design Career Fair on Wednesday, September 28th, at the Conference Center – John E. Reeves Great Hall at Fashion Institute of Technology. The event will start at 10AM and ends at 5PM. Hope to meet with you there!