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senior multi product designer with 10+ years designing commercial ranges, leading teams, managing production & delivering trend products
drapers 30 under 30 [2017]
Anchor 1
head of design
360 brand group, manchester
[november2017 - december2021]
As a founding member of the business I worked closely with the director to grow the design team, establishing ways of working and growing the potential of the in-house brands and teams. My previous multi product experience allowed me to create the process and establish how the business communicated designs to factories and how we processed samples internally; which needed training to each new member of the team. Within 18 months we had launched 2 extra brands, grown the design by two extra designers and expanded into every product group; mens, womens, boys and girls.
My previous hands on approach mixed with genuine love for product created a way of working that encouraged designers to be involved in all areas of design and manufacturing; such as how to create specs, check pre production samples, how to fit samples and fabric development. This was educational to junior members and created a multi talented design/garment tech hybrid department that made the design department a fundamental role in many areas of the business.
My knowledge of manufacturing and factory relationships allowed to me create multi product and territory critical paths for the design team to follow. I ensured that the team were aware of key trends and would bring educated research to range reviews when presenting to the director.
I am proud of my time at 360 brand group. When I reflect back I achieved a lot and was not aware of the skill set I had when I joined the business. I chose to leave the business at the end of 2021 to find a new challenge.
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create the template for techpacks and how the business communicated designs with factories. enforcing the ways of working were followed. training new starters in ways of working
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creating specs for new shapes. educating designers in how to create specs from bought samples. encouraging design team to look for best selling styles to replicate. approving full size grades for production.
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range reviews with design team. ensure that trends are being hit and ranges offer commercial newness. spotlight any potential construction issues and make sure team design within factory capabilities.
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processing samples. managing deliveries and delegating samples to design team. reviewing samples with designers to ensure production comments are accurate for approval.
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Monday morning catch ups. discuss work loads, trends and manufacturing progress.
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Wednesday meetings with merchandising to discuss orders due to leave factories.
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design and manufacturing management of special projects; Faded and B Malone.
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factory relationship and sourcing. work with merchandisers to ensure we working with most accurate lead times, and feed to departments to ensure the brands did not miss key deliveries. during my time I was effective in bringing in 4 new factories between Turkey, China and UK; all had different strengths and brought different products to the brands.
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reviews and appraisals of design team. annual scheduled reviews, or as when the team needed them. offer personal support to team and encourage open dialogue. feedback to director of any updates or salary reviews
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overseeing key wholesale accounts; JD sports, Footasylum, ASOS, TK Maxx, MandM direct and Zalando. ensuring ranges were delivered on time for buying and budget windows. ranges have to be designed within price infrastructure and factories capabilities.
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managing department spending. processing and logging receipts for design team. authorising purchases. ensuring that samples are returned if not needed.
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department administration. approval and tracking of holidays to ensure the team had enough designers and brands were effected by bad management. delegating workloads during holidays and sick days.
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factory visits and itinerary. leading designers in day to day while visiting factories. pre-warning factories of itinerary. work with product teams to source new fabrics and print applications. review other brands orders in production for inspiration
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interview for new design team members and garment tech roles. review interview and work with director. discuss strengths and weaknesses.
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management of business cloud. controlling licenses between departments. authorising access to external people such as photographers.
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welcoming new starters in all departments to the business. introducing them to office, teams and ways of working.
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images are visual reference of employment only
all images and rights are owned by 360 brand group
senior designer
focus international, huddersfield
[july2017 - november2017]
My main priority was to lead the development and re-brand for Ellesse Italia, a more mature and premium product to the well known sportswear brand Ellesse, as well as Peter Worth. During my short time in this role, I managed production of 3 multi product ranges, 2 brands and was responsible for the workloads of 2 junior Designers. This was a role within a company I turly enjoyed. However, due to personal reasons I required a role closer to home.
designer
matalan, liverpool
[june2015 - july2017]
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Responsible for designing multiple product categories within the business, including Jersey/Fleece, bottoms, denim, outerwear and shirts.
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Previous experience in multi-product design for high street retail allowed me to easily transition between product areas whilst elevating the quality of the product too.
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Built strong relationships with factories and utilised their strengths and capabilities effectively. Would often lead supplier meetings with clear, technical and informative instruction. Responsible for research and trend building.
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Confident using resources such as WGSN, and creating catwalk reports as tools for the design and buying teams which I would also present out to the wider business. Managed and maintained sample budget.
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Frequent international shopping trips to build on product areas and identify new design opportunities.
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Confidently pushed product development for outerwear and jersey, ensuring the offer had commercial newness within the ranges. A close relationship with buying ensured bestseller updates and appropriate newness was actioned.
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Far East travel to observe and report on current production and brief new styles.
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Integrated a new digital CAD process based on my own design packs which I rolled out to the team and furthermore became the company standard for all future tech packs.
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Management of junior staff and industrial placements. Guided with confidence and offered opportunities to grow their profile and strengths.
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images are visual reference of employment only
all images and rights are owned by Matalan
junior designer
debenhams, london
[june2014 - june2015]
I joined Debenhams as the Junior Designer for in house brand Mantaray, primary responsibility was to design the jersey / fleece ranges.. I reported directly into the Head of Menswear. During my time at Debenhams I grew my skillset further as I gained more experience in areas such Outerwear, and assisted other senior designers with their brands and products.
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Creating new concepts per season with holiday collections. Collated mood imagery to illustrate themes and clear colour stories.
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Send out fabric developments to factories and action lab dips and yardage.
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Created detailed and clear digital designs to brief the in-house pattern room and initiate sampling.
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Worked with overseas offices on managing sampling and progress. Responsible for attending and leading fit sessions before finished tech packs are sent for production.
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Worked closely with buying on reducing costs and meet price points. Prepared rackups of collections to present to buyers across retail and wholesale.
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Produced an internal look book to guide marketing to carry out into shops and online.
assistant designer
french connection, london
[may2012 - june2014]
I joined French Connection after being recruited during Graduate Fashion Week 2012. It was a fast moving and exciting role with lots of responsibilities. My line manager guided me through design processes so that I would be able to independently and confidently accomplish tasks and provide new and fashion lead ranges. I was apart of a small team, which helped me to grow my profile throughout the business and become an important part of company. Responsibilities included:
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Creating new concepts per season with holiday collections. Collated mood imagery to illustrate themes and clear colour stories.
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Send out fabric developments to factories and action lab dips and yardage.
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Created detailed and clear digital designs to brief the in-house pattern room and initiate sampling.
-
Worked with overseas offices on managing sampling and progress. Responsible for attending and leading fit sessions before finished tech packs are sent for production.
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Worked closely with buying on reducing costs and meet price points. Prepared rackups of collections to present to buyers across retail and wholesale.
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Produced an internal look book to guide marketing to carry out into shops and online.
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