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
Profile
Experience
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
Volunteer Work
Action for Kids November ’16 – Present
· Mentor to young adults with learning disabilities; helping with everyday life skills and to lead an independent life.
Skills
· 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