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ALLISON GRAY
9846 Gooding Drive, Dallas TX 75220
agray25@tx.rr.com tel: 818-636-9835
www.styleportfolios.com/allisongray

EXPERIENCE

BIOWORLD MERCHANDISING Irving, TX
Director of Merchandise 12/09-8/10

•Provided seasonal trend direction by utilizing forecasting services, magazines and shopping the market.
•Collaborated with Art Director to provide art direction and art reference
•Sourced up-to-date fabrics and trims
•Developed a line of licensed Men’s boardshorts, fleece and twofers
•Developed Juniors, Mens and Children’s cut and sew bodies
•Generated tech packs for overseas consumption
•Worked closely with overseas factories to ensure correct product
•Managed a team of five, including Asst. Merchandisers, Pre-production and Production Coordinators

J.C. PENNEY Plano, TX
Designer, Decree Knits 6/2008-11/09

•Developed line on a seasonal basis, with monthly deliveries
•Worked closely with Corporate Trend, Technical Design and Textile Design departments to deliver the most trend and customer right product
•Sourced fabrics and trim to provide seasonal and price appropriate goods
•Generated Tech Packs for overseas consumption
•Shopped Local and International markets for most up-to-date trend information
•Partnered with Indirect vendors to develop brand appropriate product

FREELANCE DESIGNER

Juicy Couture 12/2007-PRESENT
Cut&Sew Knits, Fleece & French Terry Division

Jerry Leigh Entertainment Apparel 10/2007-PRESENT

•Created and Merchandised Groups for Junior and Resort Business
•Designed Graphics and Repeats for Screened Programs
•Worked directly with Head Designer to achieve most impactful presentation

FORTUNE FASHIONS Vernon, CA
Head Designer, Resort, Girls, Juniors, Women’s 1/2004-10/2007

•Head Designer for Girls, Juniors and Women’s, handling private label business at Wet Seal, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Gap, Old Navy
•Head Designer for the Resort Business Division, handling accounts including Disney, Tommy Bahama, Hustler and Hard Rock
•Introduced new product concepts to expand client scope and grow business
•Collaborated with other Departments to utilize new trend-right techniques in printing and dyeing
•Created and executed seasonal lines for all above accounts
•Provided trend direction through market research and shopping
•Sourced fabrics and trim to provide seasonal and price appropriate goods
•Interfaced with Pattern, Cutting and Sewing to produce sample sets
•Worked directly with Art Directors and Artists to provide graphic trends and directions
•Implemented processes and structure to streamline Design Room and better utilize resources
•Oversaw two designers

JEM SPORTSWEAR (AWAKE DIVISON) San Fernando, CA
Designer, Women’s and Better Licensed Divisions 5/2002-1/2004

•Designed Women’s Contemporary and Licensed Lines including Disney and Barbie for Nordstrom’s, Fred Segals, Henri Bendel
•Created illustrated and graphic presentations for client meetings
•Worked with President to merchandise and finalize line for most dynamic impact
•Designed graphics
•Worked one-on-one with freelance artists as Art Director to ensure desired aesthetic
•Responsible for preparing art and working with Screen Printers

FORIA INTERNATIONAL (B.U.M. EQUIPMENT DIVISION) Industry, CA
Design Assistant, All Divisions 8/2001-1/2002

•Rendered flats for all genders and categories
•Created theme and graphic boards
•Communicated daily with production staff
•Researched and shopped for key items and trends
•Implemented new organization systems
•Suggested new presentation formats for buyer/corporate meetings
•Assisted designers with all aspects of design and merchandising

SALES MANAGERS UNLIMITED, (Missy Sportswear) Los Angeles, CA
Designer/Assistant to President 5/2000-6/2001

•Designed items and collections
•Provided fabric/trim direction
•Created logos and trademarks for clientele
•Traveled to China to secure new factory vendors
•Designed, Produced and Showed Contemporary Men’s Line in Shanghai International Costume Competition

EDUCATION

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles, CA
Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Design June 2001

SKILLS

•Fluent in Photoshop, Illustrator CS2, Word, Excel and Power Point
•Five Years Experience working with Dye Houses; Knowledge of Lab Dips, Specialty Dye Processes, Finishing and Washing
•Five Years Experience working with Screen Printing; Knowledge of Special Embellishments, Screen Process, and Art Requirements
•Graphic Design skills and process understanding