Denese Manley

Creative direction and product development management building a new brand from the ground up.
- Drive trend direction with market research, competitive analysis, and strategic planning.
- Conceptual design and product line planning for collection releases.
- Graphic design for products, E-com website, social media, email and print marketing materials.
- Brand design strategy and development including logo design, graphic design and packaging.
- Campaign planning and photo-shoot direction for multiple launches per year.
- Management of patternmakers, sample makers, and other contractors.

Managed all conceptual design for apparel and accessories, the full product development process and oversaw a design team responsible for the development of 300+ products all at various stages.
- Managed complete product lifecycle from concept through to production for all product categories.
- Defined the product strategy roadmap while managing the teams product development timeline.
- Facilitated positive relationships and collaborate with multiple cross-functional teams.
- Actively mentored and lead a design team ranging in skills from intern to mid-level developers.
- Utilized strategic thinking and research analysis of insights to conceptualize new product ideas.
- Effectively and compellingly communicated ideas to internal stakeholders and partners.
- Conceptualized and directed photoshoots and video shoots for all apparel and accessories.
- Provided art direction, created graphic art, and worked with licensed art from variety of licensor’s.
- Provided detailed and accurate tech packs, fit notes, and manage all supplier submissions.
- Collaborated with a variety of licensor’s on product design from Disney to NFL and many more.

- Product Development: Manage product development process with overseas factories, execute placement of adopted styles in accordance with sourcing strategy, coordinate and monitor all proto sample development, generate and revise product specifications, create tolerances for color and fit standards, oversight of apparel fittings on mannequins and live fit models, engine products to achieve costing standards and negotiating prices to maintain margins.
- Fabric Sourcing and Print Development: technical specifications for performance fabrics, technical artwork packages, graphic development using Adobe programs, communicate with factories and track lab dip/bulk approvals for fabrics
- Production: Travel to overseas factories, supervision of production process at all stages, daily communication with inspectors at each production facility, managing vendor adherence to AQL standards, maintain strict quality control standards, manage testing for fabrics and garments, create and maintain all care label and packaging files, work with customs broker to establish HTS codes and duties, track all stages of development within PLM system
- Creation of product development calendars and adherence to deadlines; management of multiple projects at the same time
- Communication liaison between all departments including design, marketing, customer service, patternmaking/construction, finance, production facilities, shipping and warehouse to operate production process smoothly and efficiently

- Trend and Market Research: research current market trends, fabrications, and construction techniques, analyze competitors’ products, provide direction for color, silhouette, fabrication and print design for five seasons per year, creation and management of trend presentations for vendors, sales representatives and retail chain customers, planning/attending local and overseas product development research meetings
- Fabric Sourcing and Print Development: source new fabrics and textures for concept line development, provide direction of color and art development for freelance and graphic artist, daily communication with overseas factories for lab dips and bulk material approvals, technical artwork packages, and graphic development using Adobe programs
- Product Development: management of process from concept to production for both ‘Private Label’ and Branded divisions, sketch new products by hand and using CAD programs, create original fashion forward designs that achieve profit margins and fit target consumers’ needs, merchandise product assortment for market week sales display, communicate with major retailers nationwide to produce private label products, daily follow-up and tracking of proto sample development with several vendors, generate spec packages in PLM system, oversee review and follow up for prototype samples, and analyze products to achieve strict price points
- Branding: develop and conceptualize new brand identities, direct development of logo and marketing materials by graphic artist, design new product to fit brand identity, and merchandise product line assortment to meet specified brand identities
- Provide management of daily activities, direction and motivation for Design Team and Interns
- Ability to keep strict deadlines in a fast paced forever changing environment; management of multiple projects at the same time.

- Assist in all areas of product development for custom bridal gowns, interpret customer’s concepts into workable designs and collaborate in finding construction solutions with Head Designer
- Create production patterns, perform fittings with customer and execute construction of final garments
- Provide raw material and trim research, communicate with vendors, develop new sourcing techniques