Profile                                                                    

An experienced Senior Designer, with a proven track record, in Childrenswear Design.  Demonstrating a high level of expertise, originality and creativity.  Strengths include the management and design of trend led collections, with the capability to meet deadlines. Strongly motivated to achieve optimal results.  A driven and creative individual, who is committed to designing and promoting good quality, commercial and directional pieces, displaying pride and enthusiasm, while developing a sense of team spirit and remaining calm under pressure.

Experience

 Freelance Senior Kidswear Designer & Consultant (Various Projects)                 September ’09 – Present

·       Clients include Saltrock, Baby Mori, Utah Group, AW Rostamani, Hung Fung Group, Monsoon Accessorize, Pep & Co, Poetic Gem, C&A, Next Supply, WGSN, ASOS, Puma.

·       Designed on trend and to brand guidelines, Boys, Girls (0-16 years) and Baby Girls and Boys collections.

·       Designed all apparel product groups, including woven and denim items.

·       Delivered the creative direction for the season, and designed technical sportswear for kids 2-16 yrs, working with graphic designers, product line managers, in the perimeters of a brand within a limited budget.

·       Mentored new Bangladeshi Design Manager, for a supplier, remotely, to needs of a UK based design and buying team.

·       Designed a new, upmarket, Boyswear brand “ANGELS” to be sold in the Middle East, incorporating sweat / jersey and woven pieces for 4 -16 year age group.

·       Worked on key accounts for suppliers, such as Tesco

·       Advised on trend direction, branding, graphic and colour direction for a new brand in the Middle East.

·       In depth trend research, compiling trend reports with visuals for Baby Boys and Girls Apparel, Nightwear and Socks.

·       Liaised with garment suppliers and factories to oversee the supply and construction of prototypes.

·       Produced concise trend reports, researching directional imagery for WGSN for Boyswear skate story for SS17 and Baby boys and Baby Girls for SS12.

 Mini Club - Senior Baby Girls Designer ( Maternity cover )                               December ’16 – December ’17

·       Researching core competitors, focusing on designing baby girls Newborn & fashion ranges 0 – 2 years, for Boots.

·       Briefed Graphic Designers on print direction.

·       Producing, detailed, technical packs, art worked graphics, creating and updating collection range sheets.

·       Travelled to China for sample development and to Paris for design inspiration.

·       Participated in target customer research meetings.

C & A- Senior Older Girls Designer ( Maternity cover )                                   April ’16 –November ‘16

·       Researched and designed Kids Girls Tops, for SS17/18, for International markets, based out of the Brussels office, and also at my home studio.

·       Produced, detailed, technical packs, created and updated collection range sheets.

·       Attended sign off meetings and fit sessions

·       Liaised with Buyers and Suppliers.

 

Mothercare - Senior Baby Boys & Boyswear Designer                                       September ‘12 – November ‘15

·       Designed, commercial, Baby Boys fashion ranges, 6 months – 4 years and Junior Boys 3-8 years for UK and International markets, ensuring global specifications and requirements are met, while being cost effective. 

·       Researched current trends and assisted the Design Manager with compiling topline trend boards

·       Produced trend colour palettes for each phase 

·       Working on clear, detailed, technical packs

·       Compiled collection range sheets

·       Range building in collaboration with the buyer

·       Managed and mentored the Junior Designer and Design assistants

·       Briefed suppliers, and freelance graphic designers.

·       Liaised on a day-to-day basis with the buyer and the Asian sourcing hubs.

·       Presented ranges to executives at sign off meetings, and at the franchise conferences to the partners

Green Baby - Senior Baby & Kidswear Designer                                            August ‘10 – August ‘12

·       Creative direction, from concept to final sign off, for an organic brand, working within the parameters of organic and ethical processes

·       Designed Baby, Boys & Girls Collections, 0–8 years, for mainline collection, and special make up styles for John Lewis,

·       Liaised on a day -to -day basis with the factories and technical teams.

·       Collection planning and range building.

·       Produced collection line sheets, technical packs and art worked graphics

·       Managed the design assistant, and briefed projects, to freelance graphic designers

·       Look book direction and collection styling

·       Researched and designed mini Boys fashion ranges, 6 months – 4 years, and Junior Boys 3 – 8 years for UK and International markets, ensuring global specifications and requirements were met, while being cost aware. 

·       Produced, detailed, technical packs, art worked graphics, created and updated collection range sheets.

 

Ben Sherman - Senior Kids’ & Youth Designer                                               August ‘04 – June ‘10

(Promoted to Kids & Youth Design Manager June ‘09)

·       Managed, and designed, the kids (2-8 years) and Youth (9-16 years) collections, from initial trend concept, through to Salesman samples

·       Delivered technical make sheets

·       Researched trends, of men's, youths and Kidswear for the UK, US and European markets

·       International and UK travel for comparative shopping

·       Worked with the product developer, garment technologist and Graphic Designers, to produce high quality, commercial and directional collections.

·       Liaised with the Sales and Merchandising teams to be aware of seasonal Sales figures and to understand the changing needs of each market.

·       Managed the kids design team, with 2 direct reports, setting goals and objectives throughout the year, while providing support and guidance.

·       Regularly communicated with factories, which included regular offshore manufacturer development trips, to the Far East, Thailand, India and Turkey.

·       Presented collections at seasonal launch to global sales and marketing teams.

·       Styled, directed and organized, the outfit guide and POS marketing shoots, working with a photographer and graphic designer.

·       Implemented, with the sourcing team, the critical path, for each product category, to establish feasible and attainable deadlines.

·       Achieved price and quality objectives, in line with the range plan and margin goals.

·       Built the Boys wear Ben Sherman business from 5% to 15% of overall Business in 3 years, with a turnover of £2.53 million

·       Regularly featured in Drapers record Top 10 indicator for best selling Brand

The Fielding Group – Senior Boys Designer                                                   July ‘97 – July ‘03

SR Gent PLC –Kids’ & Ladieswear Designer                                                            November ‘94 – July ‘97

 

 Action for Kids                                                                                           November ’16 – Present

·       Mentor to young adults with learning disabilities; helping with everyday life skills and to lead an independent life.

·       Competent using Illustrator CS and Outlook.

·       Basic knowledge of Photoshop, Word & Excel.

·       Apple Mac & PC Literate.

·       Current Full Driving License

 

Interests

·       Aerial Yoga

·       Art and Photography

·       Styling

·       Fashion

·       Badminton