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profile:
Creative & technically adept womens footwear designer/product developer who can forecast & interpret seasonal trends for any designated market at various price ranges to accommodate a brands aesthetic. Experience working with Italy, Spain, Brazil, India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Mexico & the United Sates.
industry skills:
-Identifying Brand Direction -Original Graphics & Embellishment Artwork
-Trend Forecasting & Interpretation -Technical Packages/Detailing
-Domestic & International Market Research -Leather, Fabric, PU Sourcing & Development
-Concept & Product Presentations -Communication with/Visits to Factories
-Managing & Directing Design Staff -Last & Prototype Development /Correction
-Sketching & Illustration/Product Rendering (hand & computer)
-Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop/Microsoft Office
career history:
2008-
Senior Footwear Designer/Product Developer, Lovely People
Restructured design department & established international relationships. Refreshed product focusing on vintage-inspired, saleable shoes to successfully compete in the footwear market. Designed/executed seasonal product for several brands. Supervised graphic designers & assistant designers & oversaw daily communications to agents & factories. International & domestic travel for trend research & product development. Worked with PR to increase editorial coverage for the brand.
2005-2007.
SeniorFootwear Designer/Product Developer, Colin Stuart for Victorias Secret
Created private label footwear for VS catalogues, online boutique & for Victorias Secret fashion shows. Presented footwear concepts to VS buyers. Worked closely with the VS team to maintain brand cohesion. Responsible for all design, sourcing, tech packs & development in China factories. Oversaw design staff. Domestic & international travel for market research & product development. Editorial coverage in respected womens fashion magazines.
2003-2004.
Footwear Designer/Developer, E.S. Originals (Rampage, Hello Kitty, Hilary Duff, Osh Kosh)
Created licensed, branded & private label product for the tween market at a range of competitive price points. Directed concept, trend & product presentations to department store buyers. Excellent sell-throughs. Domestic & international travel for trend research & product development.
2001-2005.
Footwear Designer, R & S Trading (Sugar, EXTRA-FINE SUGAR, Maui Girl)
Worked as a team with the senior designer to create fashion forward Japanese-inspired juniors & tween product the USA & the UK. Created unique artwork/graphics for the shoes (including Floaties) Editorial coverage in leading industry publications.
2001-2002.
Associate Footwear Designer/Linebuilder, Vida Shoe, Intl. (UNIONBAY)
Worked closely with VP Design & UNIONBAY corporate to design & build the footwear collection to be a recognizable brand. Product we created resulted in increased business. Supervised intern staff. & daily factory communications. Domestic & international travel for trend research & product development. Excellent editorial coverage.
1998-2001.
Junior Footwear Designer/Designer, Steve Madden
Designed, developed, executed & corrected prototypes in on-site sample room factory as well as with agents/factories in Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico & China. Helped supervise sample making facility & coordinating assignments for assistant designers. Designed shoes for the following celebrities: Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Gwen Stefani, Cyndi Lauper, Janet Jackson . Promoted to designer for the Steve Madden brand.
additional clients:
The Children\'s Place, Victorias Secret, Candies Inc., Bongo Footwear, Hot Topic, Pac Sun, L.E.I., J.Lo Footwear, Turbo Cat, Inc., Maui Girl Footwear, Leslie Fay Footwear, Ladnier Group, Design Works, Lord & Taylor, Weight Watchers Magazine, Tricycle Magazine, Newport News.
education:
2010. Boston University Center for Professional Education, Metropolitan College. Paralegal Studies Certificate Program.
1995-1999. Pratt Institute. Bachelors of Fine Art, Footwear & Apparel Design. Graduated with Honors.
1990-1993. Southeastern Louisiana University. Completed courses in Liberal Arts, Fine Arts & Graphic Design
