More Information
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
* Knitwear creation and execution.
* High taste level.
* Excellent sense of style and color.
* Expert at yarn sourcing and stitch development.
* Complete technical knowledge of machine knitting & sweater construction.
* Creative brain with business mind.
* In-depth knowledge of design techniques and processes.
EXPERIENCE:
Designer and Owner
Paychi Karen Guh Designs
April 2012 Present
Small design firm providing freelance services specializing in knitwear design and execution, color and trend consulting, along with product development and implementation.
Design Director
Nordstrom Product Group
2010 2012 (2 years)
Revitalized Nordstrom Collection, Classiques Entier Atelier, and Amber Sun. Launched Sejour and Holistia.
* Modernized Nordstrom cashmere sweater collection by integrating trend-right silhouettes, stitch interests, updated color palettes, and sophisticated prints and patterns, generating $1.9M increase over last year in retail purchase for Fall/Holiday 2012.
* Originated the design concept for Sejour, Nordstroms 1st large size exclusive private label. Proposed brand direction to Executive team, oversaw complete design cycle, led new design team, resulting in 18% increase of total retail purchase for 1st year. Collaborated with technical team and merchandiser to standardize brand fit blocks resulting in appraised fit and multiple top 10 sellers each season.
* Conceptualized and launched eco-friendly knitwear brand Holistia. Conducted seminars to educate cross-functional teams, vendors, and agents on brand vision. Implemented brand specific time and cost saving sourcing strategy. Presented the collection along with marketing proposal to VP of product development and Corporate Merchandising Manager, resulting in $120,000 extra funding for advertising.
Design Director, Caslon
Nordstrom Product Group
2008 2010 (2 years)
* Oversaw the entire design process from concept to finish for all product categories. Caslon had the #1 volume pick-up in all of Womens Apparel in Q4, 2009, with +65% month-to-date increases.
* Worked in Hong Kong factories to generate abundance of design ideas on the spot. Created the $1M sweater cardigan, the #1 seller in all womens apparel in 2010 Anniversary event.
* Seized the market opportunity for embellished T-shirts. Inspired designers to create sample swatches in-house, implemented speedy develop process to generate incremental business quickly, pioneered knit product development in India to reduce cost. Gained average of 15% increase in knit retail purchase per delivery, attained additional $6.4M quick order after first sign of outstanding retail performance.
* Instigated Anniversary advertising proposal gaining National Merchandising Managers appraisal, resulting in 6 extra advertising pages in event catalog. Elevated design influence in monthly corporate marketing plan ever since.
* Established strong partnership with internal cross-functional teams, buyers, manufactures, and agents.
Design Director, Fashion Accessories
Nordstrom Product Group
2005 2008 (3 years)
* Worked with sweater and print technicians directly in Inner Mongolia and Shanghai, cut down sampling rate by 25% due to elevated design aesthetics and precise technical information for product execution.
* Collaborated with National Buyer on optimizing market opportunities, created desirable items within target cost repeatedly. Provided seasonal color, trend, and material directions to design team, European agents, and buy team for soft accessories and leather goods development. Department exceeded financial goals for 3 consecutive years from 2005-2007, with over 12% volume increases per year.
* Designed trendy soft accessories products for Nordstrom Rack, including the #1 selling cashmere wrap in Rack Accessories, delivered 22-36% total volume increases in retail purchase yearly.
Senior Knit & Sweater Designer, Classiques Entier
Nordstrom Product Group
1999 2005 (6 years)
* Built and mentored knitwear design team. Managed all aspects of knits and sweaters development from start to finish. Responsible for hand sketching, creating technical spec pack, daily communication with agents overseas for sourcing and sample making. Created brands #1 selling sweater, generated $2.8M in retail sales and $1.5M reorder in 2003. Established future dominating knit business for Individualist Department. Introduced silk jersey program, resulted in 189% increase in retail purchase for Holiday 2004 with 6 consecutive seasons retail sales increases for knit category. 8 out of brands top 10 volume items in Holiday 2004 were knits and sweaters.
* Travelled internationally and domestically intensively for trends, fabric shows, and sample follow-up.
Sweater Designer
Nordstrom Product Group
1997 1999 (2 years)
CAD Artist
Baby Togs NYC
1996 1997
Sweater Designer
Cotton Emporium - NYC
1996 1997
