MOUNTAIN KHAKIS

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Apparel & Product Designer | June 2023 - July 2024

Men's // Big & Tall // Dog // Accessories // Trims, Labels & Branding

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• Research, design, develop, and execute product to achieve brand objectives and overall product strategy.

• Create thorough and exceptionally detailed tech packs.

• Ensure all aspects of garment design remain consistent to the brand profile, and adhere to timely seasonal assortments, relevant to the brand’s position & target customer.

• Work with cross functional team members to introduce newness within product lines, develop relatable accessories, and make sure product features are understandable to the customer.

• Work with freelance artists to guide the creation of artwork for graphics and apparel.

• Create labels, branding, tags and help with product marketing.

• Create plaids, hat patches, graphics, and minimal artwork suitable for production.

• Expert proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and PLM. 

• Explore opportunities to further Illustrator knowledge with the use of generative AI and related Adobe features.

• Develop additional collections, providing the opportunity for expansion into Dog, as well as an elevated Menswear line.

• Productive in a remote-hybrid setting.

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Belk

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Apparel Designer: Private Label Brands | May 2021 - May 2023

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

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• Experience working on a variety of brands and size ranges.

• Manage a large workload and coordinate with a variety of teams, vendors, and partners.

• Research, design, develop, and execute product to achieve brand objectives and overall product strategy.

• Ensure all aspects of garment design remain consistent to each brand’s profile and adhere to timely seasonal assortments, relevant to the brand’s position & target customer.

• Ensure that designs meet merchant line plans, assortment strategies, price points and overall creative direction.

• Strong proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and PLM.

• Management experience.

• Productive in a remote setting.

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Associate Apparel Designer: Private Label Brands | July 2019 - May 2021

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

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• Launched Women’s Outdoor Activewear brand for Belk.

• Overseas travel to Taiwan for design and development.

• Opportunity to mentor, teach, and grow in my leadership while managing two Assistant Designers.

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Assistant Apparel Designer: Private Label Brands | July 2017 - July 2019

New Directions Studio & Sweaters // Women’s & Extended Size

Kim Rogers Athleisure & Sweaters // Women’s & Extended Size

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• Assist Apparel Designer with design, development, and execution of product to meet Belk standards and objectives.

• Create line planners and sketches, perform fabric and trim research and development, and enter information into PLM.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and streamlining.

• Assist in fittings, presentation set up, and prepare material for meetings.

• Write "quick tech packs" as a process implemented to receive pre development and proto samples.

• Manage fabric library for new and existing fabrics.

• Trim and fabric research & manage fabric approvals for handfeel, special effect color, and quality.

• Develop relationships and interact with the Merchandising teams, Brand Management, Tech Design, Textile, Overseas Offices and key vendors to exchange ideas, leverage expertise, and streamline the development process.

• Assist in research of silhouette, color, fabric trends for each season.

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Cato Corporation

 

Associate Designer | May 2017 - July 2017

Assistant Designer | June 2016 - May 2017

Knit Tops, Activewear, Athleisure, & Sleepwear

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• 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.

• Once promoted to the role of Associate, responsible for overseeing and managing Athleisure Bottoms.

• Experience with management.

• Training and onboarding new hires.

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Assistant Technical Designer | July 2015 - June 2016

Dressy Team: Knit & Woven Tops, Bottoms, & Dresses

 

• Prepare detailed sketches using adobe illustrator to create clear visuals for manufacturers to understand the components and construction of a garment.

• Responsible for taking accurate measurements of samples and determining corrections needed to fit the Cato customer in a flattering way.

• Prepare samples for, and actively attend fit sessions, measure fit models, organize paperwork, and assist Technical Designers in day-to-day role.

• Utilize strong skill and eye for design, presentation, illustration, and pattern making among others.

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Freelance Technical Illustrator | May 2015 - July 2015

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• 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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Red Onion Cafe

 

Server | August 2013 - May 2015

Also worked as a Foodrunner, Hostess & Bar Tender

 

• 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

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Store Associate | August 2014 - October 2014

Store Manager Intern | May 2014 - August 2014

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• 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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Michael's Arts and Crafts

 

Sales Associate & Cashier | August 2012 - January 2014

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.

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North Harbor Club

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Hostess | March 2011 - July 2012

 

• Greeted and seated customers as they entered the restaurant.

• Booked reservations and answered customer questions.

• Assisted as a food runner for private events.

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