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Footwear & Accessory Design Consultant
2010 - Present (14 years)
* As a consultant my roles include design guidance, sample development, material and component sourcing, factory relations, footwear production and pricing.
* Each consulting project has its' own individual needs so my services can range from maximum to minimum involvement from client to client.
* Previous consultation projects include both small and large companies each which required factory experience both in Los Angeles and China.
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Sampling and Production
Form and Fauna Footwear
May 2007 - Present (17 years 7 months)
I handle all development of samples and production on this vegan collection. I worked with various materials to keep this collection eco-friendly (water based glues, non leather outsoles, Italian synthetic leather, etc.) I worked hand in hand with our heel manufacturer on hand carved wood heels to create shapes that coincided with each design given to me by designer, Bay Bertea. I worked closely with the designer to bring each of her designs into a produce-able shoe that reflected her original design intention.
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Designer/Owner
Jen + Kim Shoes
2007 - Present (17 years)
Jen + Kim Shoes are hand made shoes crafted in Los Angeles. We feature custom made evening shoes for any event and our most recent project is building custom footwear collection specially for designer runway shows. We also host shoe parties where invitees can choose their material and pattern and order their very own custom shoes.
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Designer
Jen + Kim for Coloriffics
Apr 2009 - Mar 2012 (2 years 11 months)
Jen + Kim shoes expanded and collaborated with Coloriffics to bring Jen + Kim for Coloriffics to the masses! Spring 2011 was the debut of the collection. It was followed by a Holiday 2012 Collection as well. Its' higher price point allowed me to bring the high fashion aesthetic of Jen + Kim Shoes to the bridal world. See my work on Coroflot here: http://www.coroflot.com/KimThomas/Jen-Kim-for-Coloriffics
Included various trips to China.
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Women's Footwear Designer
Auri Footwear
Aug 2009 - Jan 2012 (2 years 5 months)
After consulting on the Spring 2010 collection and designing the women's Fall 2010, Spring + Fall 2011 and Spring 12' collections, I developed the Fall 2012 collection. Starting with research and trending I moved forward into silhouette and pattern design to bring this company my on-trend design aesthetic that merged seamlessly with their high technology background. Included various trips to China.
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Design and Production Consultant
Mi Capri Shoes
Oct 2010 - Oct 2011 (1 year)
By working closely with the designer of this new brand, "Mi Capri" shoes, I lent out my experience and education with designing, sampling and producing footwear. We took Carrie's designs and mixed them with my technical knowledge and Los Angeles factories and suppliers and created a stunning debut collection for Spring 2011.
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Designer
Chinese Laundry Shoes
Oct 2008 - May 2009 (7 months)
Designed private label product for labels such as White House Black Market, Skechers, Sears and Laundry List. My process took all of the designs through the sampling process and then onto various meetings with developers and buyers from each company to cull and complete each collection. Inspiration was taken from each labels current offerings (color palettes, materials and applicable trends) to create a collection that worked for the individual label. Included various trips to China.
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Freelance Footwear Designer
Michael Antonio
Mar 2008 - Sep 2008 (6 months)
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Freelance Designer
Chinese Laundry
Aug 2007 - Mar 2008 (7 months)
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Designer and Production Specialist
Chocolat Footwear
Jun 2006 - May 2007 (11 months)
As my first job with my footwear degree I was exposed to the industry at a factory level. I worked to bring the designs of legendary footwear designer Fred Slatten to life. I took each design through the sampling process and worked at our in house factory to order the correct materials and build product that matched his designs. I also worked on the in-house brand "Chocolat" to build a comfort collection for our sales reps. I worked closely with pattern makers, lasters, stitchers, gluers and finishers and gained immense factory experience by doing so. It was here I learned first hand what it takes to make fine footwear.