Magda Kahn

DESIGNER OF BESPOKE AND MAKE TO ORDER EVENING GOWNS
MAGDA KAHN MIAMI
January 2012 - Present
- Market and trend research, shop high end markets (Paris- New York- LA) Attend seasonal Textile trade shows as well as private appointments with design studios and fabric mills.
- Develop presentation boards for private clients, identify key trends, color palettes and silhouettes appropriate for the occasion and client needs.
- Design and draw hand sketches. Custom and Bespoke design process for clients. Develop hand sketches, collections and initial concepts based on client requirements.
- Hands on experience on providing clothing guidance and support for private clients.
- Made to measure process, drape (muslin), develop first muslin based on client measurements and final design.
- Make first pattern and make first sample in muslin to perform fit corrections on client.
- Calculate materials, prepare materials and cutters most to cut gown.
- Effectively manage and direct all aspects of the design process of custom made bespoke pieces for celebrities and fashion influencers.
-Manage all aspects of garment construction from Initial draping (creation of muslin) to pattern making and fit sessions to sewing techniques to ensure high quality.
-Styling and wardrobe guidance for TV shows and performances. Direct interaction, design direction and wardrobe execution for entertainment artist.

DIRECTOR OF MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN
PEACE LOVE WORLD
September 2015 - August 2016
- Oversee and maintain design calendar and development process to ensure timely completion.
- Work closely with the owner to monitor assortments and maintain consistent brand image.
- Interface with all functional areas of the business (design, sales, sourcing, marketing) to maintain successful workflow.
- Support sales staff in all design related needs. Analyze retail sales with sales team and design team to identify opportunities.
- Keep past, current and upcoming seasons assortment and merch costing sheets updated with latest pricing and margins.
- Oversee workflow in the Design department including technical designer.
- Communicate with overseas vendors on daily basis regarding fabric development, sample status, and bulk production.
- Worked directly with vendors at factories (Peru) to develop and ensure speed to market as well as new line sample development.
- In charge of opening of a Pop-up retail outlet store at Sawgrass Mills Outlet mall. Responsible for designing and store layout, merchandise
assortment and partner with Visual to ensure store set reflects brand aesthetics.
- Successfully developed a Jewelry line as a new brand initiative. Partnered with Design director to effectively translate the brand message on to the Jewelry line.
- Involved from conception on the new brand initiative and partnership between PLW (Peace love world) with QVC Broadcast television
network. Instrumental on the development and merchandising of the first year line plan.
- Worked directly with QVC merchandiser team, buying team and design teams to develop a brand strategy and translate PLW brand to be sold on QVC channel and website.
- Worked closely with QVC sourcing team in the selection of fabric, yarns and trims. Involved on all fitting and development facets to keep the brand identity and aesthetics intact.

- Effectively managed and directed all aspects of the design process for several Tropical lifestyle men’s collections retailed at JCPenny under the brand Havanera, Kohl's department stores under the brand Centro, Sears under the brand Solero and Wal-mart under the brand Cafe Luna.
- Successfully built strong and balanced assortments including multiple categories such as woven shirts, T- shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, swimwear and sweaters.
- Directed and executed the entire product design process including market research and trends, developing color palettes, designing and overseeing a design team focused on the development of CADS for both presentation and development processes.
- Developed and implemented key plans to maintain the brand identity while supporting merchant’s line plans, assortment strategies and price points.
- Productively managed fabric development seasonally by researching newest trends and attending domestic and international trade and fabric shows.
- Directly oversaw all hand-looms, knit-downs and lab-dip approvals to ensure timely and cohesive sales samples development across the line.
- Ensured all product design packages were complete, accurate and on time to transfer to the product development team, technical department, vendors and the company’s offices overseas.
- Communicated daily with overseas offices in China, H.K., Korea, Bangladesh, Taiwan and other countries to ensure product development of prototypes and sales samples.
- Responsible for the seasonal development of new prints, trims and embroideries.
- Coordinated and conducted creative design presentations to sales force, merchandising, customers and buyer teams for retailers.
- Hired, trained and managed direct reports while monitoring for top productivity and efficiency.

- Managed the entire design, development and production process for several men’s sweater collections retailed at various tiers of distributions such as Macy’s, JC Penney, Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, catalogue and specialty stores.
- Designed and developed sweater assortments in 12gg, 7gg and 5gg from concept through production.
- Traveled to Europe, Asia and Latin America each year to source the yarns and develop creative knit patterns and product samples. Attended Pitti Filati in Florence/Italy each year as well as Asia sweater trend shows to search for innovative sweater trends.
- Responsible for creating tech packs and aiding technical designers to ensure projects were delivered timely and exceeded all expectations
- Utilized global vision and ability to interpret design direction in the development of creative prototypes
- Managed all aspects of sales samples development. approved knit-downs, color, weight and fit. Ensured smooth transition in to production.
- Responsible for seasonal presentations to retailers, sales and merchandising teams.

- Created technical flat sketches in Adobe Illustrator.
- Created PDM and PLM spec packages, for development, production and pricing purposes of multiple women’s and men’s collections.
- Managed fit sessions and communicated with overseas vendors on a daily basis to ensure correct fit and pattern development.
- Communicate with agents/ factories on submits/trims/pattern placements, sales samples, pre production samples as well as top of production samples.
- Worked directly with Design and QC departments.
- Responsible for production sample approvals.
- Developed improved procedures to manage all aspects of development; trained direct reports in PDM and PLM. Responsible for department workflow and training.