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Apparel & Product Designer
Charlotte, NC
Jun 2023 - Jul 2024 (1 year 1 month)
MEN’S // BIG & TALL // DOG // ACCESSORIES // TRIMS, LABELS & BRANDING
- Sole Designer for men’s outdoor and lifestyle apparel, spearheading all aspects of apparel & product development.
- Led the research, design, and development of products, driving brand objectives and aligning with overall product strategy to enhance market positioning.
- Collaborated with cross-functional and overseas teams to innovate and introduce new product lines, trims, and accessories, improving product relatability and designs.
- Developed highly detailed and accurate tech packs, ensuring consistency and manufacturability.
- Designed labels, branding, and marketing materials, strengthening product visibility and market presence.
- Explored generative AI features to enhance design capabilities and streamline processes.
- Spearheaded the entrance into new product markets, including dog clothing / accessories and an elevated menswear capsule, driving the opportunity for growth and diversification.
- Maintained high productivity and effective project management in a remote-hybrid work environment.
- Developed 160+ styles across 3 product categories for Spring & Fall 2024 & 2025.
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Apparel Designer: Private Brands
Charlotte, NC
Jul 2021 - May 2023 (1 year 10 months)
Crown & Ivy | Girl, Boy, Toddler & Baby
Ocean + Coast Outdoor Activewear | Women's Missy, Extended Size, Men’s, Big & Tall, Girl, & Boy
ZELOS Athleisure & Activewear | Women's Missy, Extended Size, & Girl
- Lead Designer for women’s outdoor & activewear, and children’s private label brands.
- Efficiently managed a large workload and coordinated with various teams, vendors, and partners, streamlining processes and enhancing project outcomes.
- Successfully designed for diverse brand profiles and size ranges*, delivering tailored solutions that met unique brand needs and market demands.
- Led product research, design, development, and execution, driving brand objectives and achieving strategic product goals.
- Maintained brand consistency and adherence to seasonal assortments, aligning designs with each brand profile and target customer to ensure market relevance.
- Delivered designs that met merchant line plans, assortment strategies, and price points, aligning with overall creative direction and maximizing impact.
- Demonstrated effective management experience, leading teams and projects to successful completion.
- Achieved high productivity and project success in a remote work setting, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.
*Women’s Missy & Extended Size, Men’s, Big & Tall, Big & Little Children’s, Toddler, & Baby.
- Management experience.
- Productive in a remote setting.
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Associate Apparel Designer: Private Brands
Charlotte, NC
Jul 2019 - May 2021 (1 year 10 months)
Ocean + Coast Outdoor Activewear | Women's Missy, Extended Size, & Girls 4-6X, 7-16
ZELOS Athleisure & Activewear | Women's Missy, Extended Size, & Girls 4-6X, 7-16
- Leveraged the success of the men's outdoor activewear brand to design and develop an Ocean + Coast women’s line.
- Achieved a successful brand launch with expedited turnaround, facilitated by travel to Taiwan.
- Due to demonstrated success, took on the design and development of the Zelos women’s activewear brand.
- Post-pandemic, spearheaded the launch of Ocean + Coast girls' and reintroduced Zelos for girls' sizes, demonstrating adaptability and strategic growth.
- Opportunity to mentor, teach, and grow in my leadership while managing two Assistant Designers.
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Assistant Apparel Designer: Private Brands
Charlotte, NC
Jul 2017 - Jul 2019 (2 years)
New Directions Studio & Sweaters | Women’s & Extended Size
Kim Rogers Athleisure & Sweaters | Women’s & Extended Size
- Led as the Assistant Designer for New Directions & Kim Rogers athleisure lines and provided support with another Assistant on sweaters for the same brands, enhancing overall team productivity and project outcomes.
- Streamlined processes by implementing “quick tech packs” for pre-development and proto samples, and responsible for data entry into PLM.
- Managed fabric library for new and existing fabrics; responsible for fabric and trim development, direction, and approvals.
- Built strong relationships with merchandising, brand management, and key vendors to optimize the development process.
- Assisted in fittings, the creation of presentation materials and setups, and performed seasonal trend research.
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Associate Apparel Designer
Charlotte, NC
May 2017 - Jul 2017 (2 months)
WOMEN’S KNIT TOPS // ACTIVEWEAR // ATHLEISURE // SLEEPWEAR
- With the promotion to Associate, responsible for designing and managing Athleisure Bottoms, driving successful product development, innovation, and execution.
- Conducted comprehensive trend research and created impactful inspiration boards, assisting with the design of styles which aligned to seasonal plans and trends, resulting in cohesive and market-relevant collections.
- Performed in-depth fabric and trim research, collaborating with multiple designers across all brand categories to select prints, colors, and details that conveyed compelling stories, enhancing overall design narratives.
- Demonstrated strong proficiency in PLM, ensuring accurate and efficient product development and vendor communication.
- Actively participated in meetings to finalize product details, contributing to seamless execution and high-quality outcomes.
- Managed one Assistant Designer, and trained and onboarded new hires, fostering team growth and ensuring effective integration into the design process.
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Assistant Apparel Designer
Charlotte, NC
Jun 2016 - May 2017 (11 months)
WOMEN’S KNIT TOPS // ACTIVEWEAR // ATHLEISURE // SLEEPWEAR
- Trend research, create inspiration boards, collaborate on, and assist in design of styles based on seasonal plans and trends.
- Fabric and trim research, and collaboration with designer to designate prints that tell a story.
- Strong proficiency with PLM and filling out a thorough Bill of Materials.
- Attend and participate in meetings to execute on final details.
- Experience with management.
- Training and onboarding new hires.
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Assistant Technical Designer
Charlotte, NC
Jul 2015 - Jun 2016 (11 months)
DRESSY TEAM – WOMEN’S KNIT & WOVEN: TOPS // BOTTOMS // DRESSES
- Prepared detailed, clear, and precise flat visuals, including extensive interior views, which effectively communicated garment components and construction to manufacturers.
- Accurately measured samples and identified necessary adjustments to ensure a flattering fit for Cato customers.
- Actively participated in fit sessions, measuring fit models, and providing support to Technical Designers.
- Leveraged strong skills in design, presentation, illustration, and pattern making to deliver high-quality visual representations and contribute to successful garment development.
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Freelance Technical Illustrator
Charlotte, NC
May 2015 - Jul 2015 (2 months)
WOMEN’S - DRESSY // CASUAL // KNITS // WOVENS
- Prepare detailed sketches using adobe illustrator to create clear visuals for manufacturers to understand the components and construction of a garment.
- Sketch flat visuals for all views of a garment, including extensive inside views for construction purposes.
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Server
Boone, NC
Aug 2013 - May 2015 (1 year 9 months)
SERVER // FOOD RUNNER // HOSTESS // BARTENDER
- Serviced guests with food and beverage requests in a timely, professional, and friendly manner, and answered any questions about the food and the restaurant.
- Took advantage of excellent menu knowledge to advise customers and upsell menu items when possible.
- Ensured all tables and silverware are placed neatly and everything was tidy and clean at all times.
- Made sure that the customer has the best possible dining experience while they are visiting Red Onion.
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Maurices Associate & Store Manager Intern
Boone, NC
May 2014 - Oct 2014 (5 months)
Store Associate | August 2014 - October 2014
Store Manager Intern | May 2014 - August 2014
- Learned the basic duties and responsibilities of being a Maurices Store Manager.
- Developed and implemented tools and charts to help the store and staff perform on a higher level.
- Learned how to follow a POV (Point Of View- floor plan) and lay out the store accordingly.
- Created a schedule, lead an interview, had bi-weekly conference calls with representatives from corporate.
- Was involved in manager meetings, among many other things.
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Sales Associate & Cashier
Michael's Arts & Crafts
Boone, NC
Aug 2012 - Jan 2014 (1 year 5 months)
Other certifications: Certified Scrapbooking Teacher
- Provided excellent customer service to anyone who walked in the doors.
- Learned the store like the back of my hand and made it my goal to help anyone with virtually any project, from any location in the store.
I have a passion for arts and crafts, and design, and loved having the opportunity to be creative and think out of the box on a daily basis to help customers solve their crafting problems, or give them suggestions that might help make their projects easier and/or look better.