William Taswell
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About
Innovative Design and Product Development Leader with a cross-functional perspective in all elements of Design, Product Development & Retail covering Private and Branded global collections. A Design and Development Executive whose held Senior Leadership roles managing design and development for collections with all product categories including, apparel (woven, knit, and sweater), accessories, and footwear in the USA, Asia, and Middle East for boutique and big-box retailers across all price points (value-priced to luxury), in addition to sourcing and market research with a demonstrated history that has resulted in career sales of $1B+ USD.
Skills:
Design Team Management, Budget Management and Analysis, Line Development, Competitive Market and Trend Research, Technical Design, Garment Construction and Fit Expert, Product Development Management, Color and Print Theory, Fabric Research and Selection, Oversees Vendor Communication and Development, Board Presentation, Fashion Illustration, Technical Flats, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Microsoft Office, and Web PDM. -
Education
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Non-Matriculated Fashion DesignMarymount University1998 - 2000
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Suitland High School1994 - 1998
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Experience
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Executive Board MemberKent, OHJan 2023 - Present (1 year 10 months)
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Designer In Residence 2022-23Los Angeles, CANov 2022 - Present (2 years)• Designer in Residence for the School of Fashion. Traveling to the campus in Kent, Ohio, working with and advising the 2022-23 B.F.A. Fashion Design Senior Class on their final collections leading up to the annual fashion show jury.
• Leading the industry executives muslin critiques at the beginning of the collection process for the B.F.A. Senior class students.
• Will also judge the Fashion Show garment submissions for the B.A. Senior class students. -
Executive Board MemberNew York, NYJan 2021 - Present (3 years 10 months)
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Womenswear Design Consultant, Various CompaniesWilliam Taswell LLC.Los Angeles, CAJul 2019 - Present (5 years 4 months)• Provide design and development expertise for start-up contemporary to luxury apparel brands.
• Provide senior level design expertise for established small to medium size better to contemporary apparel brands.
• Create and/or restructure fit process and technical design strategy for companies needing to update process with modern technology and standard protocols. -
Advisory Board MemberLos Angeles, CASep 2018 - Present (6 years 2 months)
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Advisory Board Member (Design and Development)Philadelphia, PANov 2017 - Present (7 years)•Advise CEO on all facets of design and development strategy for production, e-commerce, and retail of contemporary women’s footwear brand.
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Executive MemberNew York, NY2001 - Present (23 years)
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Vice-President of Design (Menswear, Womenswear, Accessories, & Footwear)FrereLos Angeles, CAFeb 2022 - Nov 2022 (9 months)• As VP of Design I am responsible for all of product development exclusively in Italy for the Bespoke Program.
• Also tasked with expanding the brand from Men’s and Women’s Bespoke to full luxury R-T-W including men’s, women’s, accessories, and footwear. -
Vice President of Design/Head of R-T-W (Menswear, Womenswear, Accessories, and Footwear)Los Angeles, CAOct 2020 - Jan 2022 (1 year 3 months)• As VP of Design I will oversee all of product development exclusively in the USA and Italy.
• Also tasked with expanding the brand from Men’s and Women’s Bespoke to full R-T-W including men’s, women’s, accessories, and footwear. -
Head Designer, Riva WomanArdiya, KuwaitJul 2016 - Jun 2019 (2 years 11 months)• Managed entire design process for entire contemporary retailer Riva Woman collection, overseeing team of 12, beginning Fall and Hi-Winter 2017 reporting to CEO.
• Efficiently restructured design and development process and time & action calendar.
• Responsible for year over year sales growth of 25% in first season to 40% in first year. Increasing sales floor real estate to ½ of total square footage in 80% of all 100 retail doors with 85 million USD annual sales. -
Head DesignerLos Angeles, CADec 2014 - May 2016 (1 year 5 months)• Directed design and development for multiple private label accounts including boutique brands and big box retailers, managing a design team of 8.
• Research and present monthly inspiration, silhouettes, and line plan assortments for client accounts.
• Launch private label development for better to contemporary market national and international retailers: Nordstrom Product Group, Chico’s, and Mint Velvet UK. Divisional annual sales first year of 8 million USD with growth to 20 million in year 2. -
Design Director- Branded and Private Label Accounts- New York, NYNew York, NYApr 2010 - Nov 2014 (4 years 7 months)• Directed design and product development for in-house branded and licensed labels, as well as private label accounts including, Neiman Marcus, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Carlisle, The Limited, Lane Bryant, Bebe, Alfani, etc. with annual sales of 85m USD.
• Managed entire product development team including designers, technical designers, fabric and sourcing managers, and development associates.
• Launched in-house brand Pickett with Harvey Nichols London and Kuwait as well as USA boutiques.
• Launched Badgely Mischka Coats license and Bagatelle Collection with Neiman Marcus. -
Chief Designer-Womenswear, Ports International, Xiamen, ChinaXiamen, ChinaFeb 2007 - Mar 2010 (3 years 1 month)• Supervise and manage designers, development team, fabric and sourcing team, technical illustrators, and embellishment team of 400 door luxury retail collection with annual sales of approx. 425 million USD.
• Increased pant sell-through from 13%-47% first season, by improving fit process and standard.
• Managed entire fit program for all categories and directed sample room including patternmakers and samplemakers.
• Presented monthly booking line assortments to executive leadership and internal buying teams. -
Head DesignerStelleNew York, NYMar 2004 - Jan 2007 (2 years 10 months)• Design and develop contemporary womenswear collection of tailored jersey knit suiting and related separates.
• Managed design team of 2 assistants and directed 3rd party sample room development and local small lot production.
• Presented seasonal inspiration and collection to leadership and showroom sales team.
• Launched exclusively with Saks Fifth Avenue and subsequently with domestic and international boutiques.
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Awards
1st round nominated for the 2007 Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award in
Nov. 2006. -
Affiliations
Black Design Collective
Leader- Corporate Design & Development Group · Feb 2021 - Present
The Black In Fashion Council
Executive Board Member · Jan 2021 - Present
Mavette
Advisory Board Member · Nov 2017 - Present
Fashion Advisor (Design, Development, Merchandising)
Fashion Group International
Member · Jan 2004 - Present
The Studio
Advisory Board Member · Jan 2019 - Jan 2020
Fashion Design & Development Advisor -
Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@williamtaswell3, member since 2012
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Following 14
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Followers 16
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