Arlene Nilsson
- images: 35
- views: 42632
- date: 11-14-23
- Region(s):
- Southwest, Northern CA, Southern CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
ALO YOGA (June 2022 – August 2023): Tech Designer Accessories. Create Techpacks in Illustrator based on designer direction, attend fittings, make comments on fittings, measurements and construction quality. Work extensively with bags (constructed and non-constructed), hats (knits and wovens), socks, belt bags, gloves, fanny packs, backpacks, sports bags and sports equipment. Manage assets in PLM system and communicate with design, PD, Sourcing and factory. Create and update Measurements, CADS and Style sheets in PLM.
ARLENE NILSSON DESIGN Freelance handbag/accessory design, tech packs and illustrations for Lucque Handbags and Jennifer Tash. (August 2021 – present):
MELINDA MARIA JEWELRY (January 2020 to June 2021): Sr. Graphic Designer. Design/produce all assets for melindamaria.com: 3 weekly e-blasts, website asset design, Instagram and Facebook ads, cold and re-banner ads. Print collateral, catalogue, lookbook and all printed materials. Photo retouching jewelry and model shots. Manage/train others in Art Department.
LUCQUE (July 2014 - July 2019): Handbag design, technical design and production manager for local production. Successfully grew company profits by managing costs and creating coveted designs, that are light weight with high functionality. Trend research and line creation. handbag design and technical design. Techpacks (CADS), sourcing of leathers, hardware and custom hardware from Italy and Japan. Manage local samplemaking and production. Develop and maintain WIP, costing and set up wholesale and retail pricing. Graphic design, linesheet design and photo retouching. Lucque.com
DONALD PLINER (April 2017 to August 2017): Freelance design work in Los Angeles annex, assisting Jennifer Tash (Isabella Fiore and Lockheart founder and creative director) in launch of new handbag line. Technical design, techpacks, beading and laser technical art, leather printing, embroidery design, graphic design and preparation.
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY (February 2015 to October 2016): Occasional freelance graphic design, assisting Jennifer Tash with laser print, embroidery and leather print design and technical design.
HAMMIT (October 2014 to April 2015): Successfully designed and developed line of new hardware and zipper pulls for 2016 season onwards (still in use today). Negotiated prices from overseas vendors. Oversaw prototypes and sample development.
CARLA MANCINI (December 2014 to January 2015): Freelance trend consulting and design.
MASSI (March 2013-April 2014): In-house handbag and accessories sr. designer, technical designer and production manager. Successfully developed several low cost in-house brands for handbags, SLGs, jewelry and homegoods and managed in-house team. Also designed handbags for several private label clients, working with leather, fabric and PU. All aspects of design from trend research and development, to sourcing. Managed overseas factories from prototype through production and negotiate prices.
HEMPTRESS, Inc. (September 2009-December 2012): Owner/designer. Launched eco-friendly, contemporary brand Hemptress in January 2010. Overseeing all aspects of handbag design/technical design/production. Featured in multiple fashion magazines and blogs. Sold in 185 specialty stores and 15 websites. Responsible for all aspects of the business from design development, through sourcing and production. Sales through trade shows, social media, e-commerce and management of national sales reps. thehemptress.com
ARLENE NILSSON DESIGN Freelance handbag/accessory design, project management, consulting &/or illustration
(August 2006 – 2009):
Reveal Bags 2009 (eco contemporary start-up): brand development, design development, China sourcing, trend research, trend board, design and techpacks, oversee prototypes.
Melie Bianco 2008 (junior): trend research, trend board, design and techpacks
Rough Roses 2008 (upscale contemporary): design and techpacks
Zina Eva 2007-2008 (contemporary): trend research, trend board, design and techpacks
Amber Pollard 2008 (contemporary start-up): brand development, design development, local sourcing, of leathers and fabrics, trend research, trend board, design, techpacks, oversee prototypes, samples and production.
Skyline Studios 2006-2007 (trend/design studio and handbag consultant: Debra Stevenson) design, illustration, technical illustration and techpacks
Tote Suite 2006-2007 (lux contemporary start-up): Brand development, trend research, trend board, local sourcing of leather and fabrics, design, techpacks, oversee prototypes
Miette Handbags (contemporary & missy moderate start-up): Brand development, graphic design, trend research, trend board, local and oversees sourcing of leathers and fabrics, design, techpacks, oversee prototypes/samples
Charm and Luck 2006-2007 (lux contemporary start-up) design and techpacks
BCBG MAX AZRIA (spring/summer 2006) Senior handbag designer, evening bags. Start to finish design development/
management of spring ‘07 evening bag collection. Responsibilities including: meeting/directing vendors at their showrooms in Hong Kong; hand sketching, designing, CAD renderings/tech packs (Photoshop/Illustrator); communication with and management of manufacturers in China; overseeing prototypes/sample production and presenting collection to buyer and owner (Lubov Azria, and creative director Anita Jansens-Mala).
THE MONTANA GROUP (2005 - 2006) Freelance handbag and accessories designer. Development of first season holiday 2006 leather collection. Consulting, trend and lodge “niche” research, storyboards, design, tech packs, sourcing materials/leathers/leather printing, oversee china sample-making with all vendors and manufacturer.
ARLENE NILSSON DESIGN Freelance graphic design &/or illustration (2005 - 2006): Linesheets, illustration, handbag design illustrations, fabric print design; Maria Lyons, Jerry Terrence, Rob Fere of Icon (graphic production).
THINK OUTSIDE THE BAG (2002 - 2005) Owner/designer handbag manufacturer. Successfully launched handbag line of locally made handbags. Responsibilities including: sourcing, designing, illustration, prepping artwork for fabric screen-printing, die-sublimation and printing. R&D of trends and colors; sourcing fabrics, leathers, artwork, hardware and parts; overseeing patternmaker/sample-maker; overseeing local production. Responsible for all inventory. Client liaison and management of Nat’l sales reps.