More Information
SUMMARY
Handbag and accessories designer and line builder with proven results designing branded and private label lines for well-known companies. Highly skilled in sketching, technical specification creation, pattern making, sample production and merchandising. Well-rounded with experience in most categories - handbags, small leather goods, backpacks, diaper bags, luggage, jewelry, tech, home & lifestyle and other accessories. Demonstrating line planning, designing into a target price range, production knowledge and skills in price negotiation and FOB’s. Experienced in communicating and working with overseas factories and vendors. Expertise in trend presentation and research for accessories collections. Full ability to work from concept to production. Implementing the strategies necessary to work smarter, not harder.
• Fully proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge and InDesign (all current versions, both Mac or PC)
• Average typing speed of 90wpm, Knowledgeable in all Windows and Mac platforms
• Microsoft Word, Works, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, Filemaker, PLM
• Understanding of technical specification sheets for design and production
• Knowledge of pattern-making and construction of handbags
• Technical sketching skills for production specs and presentation purposes.
• Product photography and retouching skills
• Strong in factory communications and negotiations
EXPERIENCE
GINA CONCEPTS, NEW YORK, NY 2016-2022
Design Director – Handbags and Accessories & Lifestyle
Tasked with leading a team of young and creative designers and providing concept and brand direction on multiple categories. Responsible for the following categories: Handbags, SLGs, Home Accessories, Cosmetic Accessories, Tech Accessories. Studying fashion trends via forecasting services while also keeping a finger on the pulse of what is hot on social media. Build branded handbag line from concept to production – determine trending silhouettes, techniques and colors. Systematically adding “key items” to the branded handbag line. Updating best-selling shapes to cater to the season. Spotting new items to develop and add to private label. Streamlining the line for each market in preparation for the season’s buy. Motivating design team during very heavy workload times while keeping a positive attitude. Maintaining professional relationships with buyers from key accounts. Work with executive and assistant sales staff to cater to the needs of their customers(Customers include: Macy’s, Nordstrom, HSN, Ross, Burlington, Rue21, Claire’s, Five Below, etc). Update the showroom with new product every month as well as re-merchandising for market weeks. Collaborate with other department heads to ensure trend is demonstrated company-wide. Being a supportive and contributive leader of a team, not just a boss or delegator.
BALLET GROUP INC. / GMA ACCESSORIES, NEW YORK, NY 2011-2016
Senior Designer and Creative Department Manager – Graphics, Packaging and Product Design
Responsible for creation of hardware, charms and other designs to send overseas for development. Using Photoshop and Illustrator to create both renderings/mockups as well as technical drawings. Directly team with merchandising team to work on special projects for important new accounts to generate fresh business. Work in tandem with GMA/Capelli Handbag design team in order to create repeats, recolors, and technical sketches when needed. Research market and online trend forecasting tools as well as have a finger on the pulse of street style and social media in order to conceptualize new jewelry styles as well as packaging concepts. Professionally photograph and retouch all incoming jewelry as well as outgoing presentation boards. Creation of trend boards, lookbooks, and trend handouts to give buyers a taste of what looks are to be the next hot seller. Conceptualize fixtures as well as lay specialized product out on POGs or PDQs to give buyer an idea of what will be set up on their floor. Work closely with both merchandisers and sales team for large accounts such as Nordstrom, Target, Walmart and Kohl’s to create the most unique and saleable product for their target customer.
SILVER GOOSE ACCESSORIES [Division of Longstreet], NEW YORK, NY 2006-2011
Creative Director / Merchandiser / Production
Manage programs for large retail vendors that include handbags, small leather goods (SLG), Jewelry, Hair Accessories, Carry-on, Backpacks, Diaper bags, etc. Create tech packs for overseas. Follow various style guides pertaining to each brand or license. Sit in on several meetings with buyers in order to properly gauge their interest on the line(Customers include: Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Kitson, Kohls, Target, Macys, Ross). Meet with licensors to arrange the time and action calendar. Plan lines for a range of different brands, from girls to ladies handbags and accessories. Team up with apparel designers to create a cohesive line of clothing and matching accessories. Create jacquard patterns and other prints for textiles based on brand or trend. Analyze current trends and translating them into specific branded categories. Aid sales team and educating them for each specific product. Creating catalogs for sales team that contain all necessary information regarding each product (Cost, MSRP, color breakdown, case-pack, delivery, etc.) Prepare sales staff for any out-of-town appointments by arming them with all necessary samples, photos, trend boards, presentation boards, CADs, etc.) Communicate with factories regarding price points, negotiations, and orders. Organize, categorize, and photograph incoming samples. Research and develop trend presentation boards for current collections. Analyze and map out handbag buys to create a streamlined group of product.
LA RUE INTERNATIONAL, NEW YORK, NY (Company acquired by Silver Goose) 2006-2006
Handbag and SLG Designer
Responsible for designing line of handbags for urban and junior market. Communicated with factories daily in order to stay within the time and action calendar set forth by creative director. Utilized online trend forecasting for research and development. Shopped market in order to gauge style and up-to-trend detailing. Organized sketches and materials. Sourced body and trim materials for development samples. Keep all incoming samples organized. Design and update styles for upcoming season for juniors branded handbags. Traveled to store headquarters for all summit meetings and market week.
LIZ CLAIBORNE, NEW YORK, NY 2005-2005
Mini Handbag / SLG Design Intern
Assisted design team on projects for Fall, Holiday and Spring handbag and small leather goods (SLG) collections. Sketched and created technical packs for small leather goods/mini handbags for overseas factory. Communicated with textile, ornament and color suppliers to obtain materials for collection. Conceptualized and assembled mood/swatch presentation boards for upcoming season for design team. Developed updates and improved past designs for a future market. Attended trend and fabric forecasting meetings. Attended and contributed to marketing line review meetings. Organized showroom and sample room.
ETIENNE AIGNER, NEW YORK, NY 2004- 2004
Handbag Design Intern
Designed and developed handbags for upcoming Spring and Fall lines. Created updated for previous season’s lines. Created specific tech sheets for designs. Communicated with overseas factory via E-mail and fax. Organized sketches and materials for design direction. Sketched and developed specifications packs for accessories production. Researched design inspirations for upcoming collections. Attended fabric shows for design research. Utilized online trend forecasting for research and development. Assisted in showroom display for buyers. Streamlined and organized design room’s original samples to make referencing styles very accessible. Sourced body and trim materials for development samples.
EDUCATION
The Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, NY, NY
B.F.A., Accessories Design, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List – all semesters.
A. A. S., Fine Arts, Dean’s List – all semesters, Graduated with honors.
AWARDS
• Handbag and small leather good published in “Making Leather Handbags” by Ellen Goldstein-Lynch (Fall 2004).
• Name notation in WWD (May ‘04), Accessories Magazine (Aug. ‘04), Shuz Magazine(Oct. ’04) for earning the Etienne Aigner Scholarship.
• Recipient of the 2003/2004 & 2004/2005 Etienne Aigner student scholarship.
• Participated in student art show at the 2/20 Gallery in November of ’01.
• Member of Accessories Design Club.
