More Information

Gretchen Seel

DESIGN SKILLS-
·Adobe Illustrator- Advanced level
·Adobe Photoshop- Advanced level
·Enovia Matrix One PLM System
·Freeborders Drawing Program
·Microsoft Excel, Word & Outlook
·Professional presentation skills
·Acute attention to detail
·Fashion illustration & detailed flat technical drawings
·Expert level garment construction knowledge
·Expert level sewing skills
·Techpack development
·Conduct garment fittings
·Execute pattern corrections

EXPERIENCE-
Technical Designer for Alfani Women’s Knits @ Macy\'s Merchandising Group May 2011-Present
·Collaborate with Design & Product teams to ensure high quality, excellent fitting, fashion driven product
·Provide detailed direction regarding construction, spec and fit to meet brand standards
·Maintain Speed to Market calendar for timely production and delivery from overseas partners
·Review first development samples with Design & Product
teams & communicate revisions in construction &
fit to agents and vendors
·Conduct weekly fittings on fit models with team to maintain
brand standards
·Correct patterns and communicate all changes to vendors using
detailed photos, technical drawings and concise comments to
ensure a great fitting garment and end product
·Issue and verify graded specs upon final fit approval

Technical Designer for Women’s Knits & Sweaters @ QVC November
2006- April 2011
·Collaborate with Design & Merchandising teams to develop
proprietary lines of women’s wear
·Provide appropriate direction regarding design, construction,
fabric, trim and fit to meet specified costing requirements
·Create detailed technical packets including technical
drawings, construction details and specs for all designed
silhouettes on a monthly basis (approximately 30-40 techpacks
per month)
·Review first development samples with design and merchandising
teams monthly & communicate revisions in design, pattern and
fit to agents and vendors
·Conduct daily fittings on fit models and forms to maintain
brand standards, designer’s standards and buyer’s standards
·Correct patterns and communicate all changes to vendors using
detailed photos, technical drawings and concise comments to
ensure a great fitting garment and end product
·Issue and verify graded specs upon final fit approval
·Work within allotted calendar to ensure timely delivery of
bulk production
·Research new design trends, trims and construction details by
shopping the market with team & independently
·Work with Technical Design team to develop block patterns with
Alvanon using target market body scan data & standards
Special Project- Facilitate Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for
Fashion Design classes for Designers, CAD Designers & Technical
Designers on a monthly basis to enhance team skill set
development
Special Project- Develop training sessions for QVC on-air hosts
for apparel construction, silhouettes, fit and fabric types
Special Project- Improved and standardized garment labeling for
QVC apparel brands

Technical Design & Product Development for Men’s Knits & Wovens @ Mitchell &
Ness September 2003 - November 2006
·Worked closely with contract Designers and Product Line
Managers to develop high end branded and licensed sportswear
·Created detailed technical packets including technical
illustrations, construction details and specs for reproductions
of historically accurate uniforms and other vintage-inspired
athletic apparel
·Developed fit standards and conducted garment fittings for all
designed product to maintain brand integrity
·Relayed pattern corrections and styling changes to overseas
offices to ensure an excellent quality product
·Hired and managed Technical Design Assistant and Design Interns
·Responsible for all fabric & trim approvals, lab dips and
artwork approvals for production
Special Project- Created fabric standards library
Special Project- Created detailed measurement point guide

Handbag Designer @ Dahling Accessories April 2002 - Present
·Design and development of independent handbag and accessories
company
·Drafting of original patterns for all designed handbag styles
·Sewing production of leather and vintage fabric handbags
·Featured press in publications including Teen Vogue & Lucky
Magazine

Assistant Designer @ Danny Noble May 2002 - November 2006
Freelance
·Worked closely with designer, Danny Noble, to develop concept
collections for intimate apparel and loungewear lifestyle brand
·Developed professional presentations of technical flat and
fashion illustrations of designed collections to present to
various retailers including Home Shopping Network
·Created textile print designs used for intimate apparel &
loungewear

EDUCATION-
Philadelphia University- Bachelor of Science, Fashion Design,
Graduated 2002

Professional recommendations are available upon
request

Online portfolio available at www.gretchenseel.com