Fashion Professional Resume Example

Objective:
DESIGN MERCHANDISING MARKETING BRANDING
Leadership / Design / Product Development / Trend Forecasting / Production / International Business Management

Multi-dimensional, “Award Winning” designer. Successful business executive with proven ability to drive and sustain revenues through a combination of founding a company and broad-based strengths in:

Branded/Private Label Budgeting/Costing Staff Development
Business, Merchandising, Marketing Plans Negotiations Relationship Building
Manufacturing; concept through production Presentations Consulting
Source, develop, and order fabrications and findings to create samples and patterns. Manage grading and sample making to execute designs. Develop seasonal color palettes and silhouettes; establish merchandising and production calendars. Achieve strong product recognition throughout international markets; establish international network of buyers from major department stores. Effective in multi- cultural environments; speaks French.


Experience:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KATHERINE HARESTAD, SANTA MONICA, CA
FREELANCE DESIGNER AND MERCHANDISING CONSULTANT 2008-PRESENT
• Kama Sutra, Thousand Oaks, CA: designed from concept through prototype, original line of line of intimate apparel for the internationally established brand. Sourced production domestically and overseas
• Pacha Merchandising, Ibiza, Spain: designed from concept through pre-production an original line of intimate apparel.
• Yogi, Commerce, CA: acted as design and merchandising consultant to edit, merchandise, create seasonal color palettes, identify “key items”, and design new items for the active and lounge markets.
• American Buddha, Commerce, CA: merchandised, established seasonal color palettes, added key items to a yoga line exclusively sold to Nordstrom’s women’s active department.
• Worked with various companies with line reviews, branding exercises, merchandising, editing, identifying “key items”, creating seasonal color palettes, and new design concepts in the intimates, lounge and active market segments

NORDSTROM, SEATTLE, WA 2005- 2008
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LINGERIE/SLEEPWEAR/ACTIVE/HOSIERY & ACCESSORIES, NORDSTROM PRODUCT GROUP (2007- 2008)

• Directed trend forecasts on all levels; macro trends, seasonal trends, emerging trends for lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, hosiery, active wear and accessories for the better and young contemporary markets and upscale luxury market. Includes seasonal color palettes per category.
• Identified and developed new market niches, new product categories, new items and new technologies.
• Oversaw development and evolution of private brands within private label business.
• Mentored directors and designers to design for their markets, the target customer and keep the brand integrity.
• Conducted seasonal trend presentations for the design team, merchandisers, and buyers.
• Organized and led competitive shopping trips into regional and international markets for the designers, merchandisers and buyers. Includes identifying and attending key trade shows.
• Accessed the required trend services and market exposure through travel for lingerie daywear and foundations, sleepwear, loungewear, yoga/casual wear, technical active wear, hosiery, kid’s socks, junior and young contemporary RTW, accessories, RTW overview. Creatively directed the accessories division, with annual revenues of $135 million, in addition to the Women’s Specialized division with annual revenues of $90 million.

DESIGN DIRECTOR, WOMEN’S SPECIALIZED DIVISION, NORDSTROM PRODUCT GROUP 2005-2007
• Spearheaded the design direction for all private label intimate apparel including: sleepwear, daywear, loungewear and foundations, hosiery and activewear for women, a division with revenues of $90 million annually.
• Designed seasonal palettes and forecasted trends for all brands. Interpreted trends into relevant product.
• Managed design team of 4 designers, assistant designer, cad artist, colorist and 3 technical designers.
• Developed and maintained strong partnerships with internal and external partners.
• Created from concept, developed and executed new private brand labels in sleepwear: Shimera (better contemporary sleep and lounge), Nordstrom Gold Label (Luxe sleepwear and cashmere), Holistia (Organic and sustainable sleep and lounge), Frills (romantic, better contemporary sleepwear, signature line)
• Ideated concept and direction for new active line, Zella (soft athletics).

KATHERINE HARESTAD, SANTA MONICA, CA 2004-2005
FREELANCE DESIGNER AND CONSULTANT
• Barefoot Dreams, Malibu, CA: designed and consulted for new line for women’s, children’s, toddler’s and infants. Set up development for production.
• Booty Parlor, Culver City, CA: designed and developed a lingerie collection and set up production for private label lingerie for a startup Internet company.
• Consulted for various start up companies. Helped with design critiques, trend forecasting, color palettes, marketing plans, business plans and industry advice.
• Freelance design by collection for various companies in the upscale better sleepwear and daywear lingerie markets.
• Developed signature line “Katherine Harestad” sold only to upscale boutiques, such as Fred Segal and Ron Herman in LA.

CARESSE, LOS ANGELES, CA 2003- 2004
SENIOR DESIGNER/DIVISION HEAD
• Initially hired to help design and merchandise a junior line for private label accounts.
• Developed and launched new label, Amourette in August 2003 (better contemporary market); promoted to Division Head.
• Crafted concept, image, product and marketing of line.
• Opened Bloomingdale’s, Marshall Field’s, Fred Segal, Neiman Marcus, and other better specialty stores.
• Exhibited in Paris, 2004, and opened accounts internationally.

FOREVER 21, LOS ANGELES, CA 2002- 2003
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DESIGNER/MERCHANDISER/BUYER
• Managed product development, buying, and merchandising for all of Forever 21 and XXI Stores.
• Provided Private Label development from concept to retail in the junior market, domestic and export.

TEA ROSE DESIGNS, SANTA MONICA, CA 2000-2002
FREELANCE DESIGNER AND PRIVATE LABEL INTIMATE APPAREL MANUFACTURER
• Developed, launched, and produced the Tea Rose Label of moderately priced women’s apparel for specialty store and mass market price points in 2001.
• Created successful designer program for Neiman Marcus and other intimate apparel manufacturers.
• Sourced and oversaw production, including pattern making and sample development.
• Established and managed independent sales representatives organization; attended trade shows.

LCA APPAREL / WHITE ROSE DESIGNS, ARCATA & COMMERCE, CA 1990-2000
Founded White Rose and successfully sold to LCA in 1999

DIVISION HEAD/HEAD DESIGNER/ (1999-2000)
HEAD DESIGNER/OWNER (1990-1999)
• Founded successful handcrafted sleepwear, lingerie, loungewear, and lingerie-inspired outerwear manufacturing company for the upscale market.
• Sold over 500 catalogs, major department and specialty stores,
• Designed and merchandised high end label as well as mass market private label
• Organized all promotional materials, including line sheets, press kits, graphics, photography, advertising, and booth design for exhibitions.
• Established a 3000 sq ft. domestic facility replete with sample making and production

Education:
EDUCATION

Art Center School of Design, Los Angeles, CA (full scholarship)
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA


Skills:
• Design • Branding • Merchandising
• Seasonal Forecasting • Marketing • Consulting
• Specializing in Intimate Apparel

A fashion design professional with over 20 years experience in design, merchandising, marketing and branding. Key specialty in intimate apparel, loungewear and casual wear. Excels at start-ups, whether it’s a label, a division or a company. Have owned own company and factory. Worked as division head, senior intimate apparel designer and consultant, and as creative and design director for an upscale retailer. Successfully spearheaded several product launches from concept to execution in the branded and private label markets. Works well independently and can successfully lead and develop a team.

Design/Merchandising
• Product development from concept to execution
• Expertise in the luxury, upscale, better contemporary, and junior markets
• Designing and merchandising collections and items per brand identity
• Innovative, original, trend right designs
• Senior level presentations
• Specializing in intimate apparel, sleepwear, loungewear, casualwear

Marketing/Branding
• Market research, competitive shopping, current and vintage
• Identifying niche markets to be developed
• Evaluating demographics, target customers
• Developing brand identities from concept to product
• Marketing plans
• Product launches
• Private branding for retailers, branded labels
• Maintaining brand integrity

Forecasting
• Seasonal forecasts of mood, color and theme
• Trends, fabrications, and silhouettes from RTW to specialty markets
• Macrotrend forecasts
• Seasonal color palettes per specialty market
• Ability to identify and quickly respond to emerging trends
• Translating macro, micro and emerging trends down to product level per brand identity
• Researching and evaluating the right trend services per market

Management
• Successful management of employees, sales reps, production and shipping calendars for own company
• Good mentor for designers
• Team leader, guide and teacher
• Solution based problem solver
• Good communication skills, written and oral
• Educate, create, and support a proper working environment to insure the success of creative people
• Evaluate the process and necessary tools to make a successful team

Additional Information:
AWARDS & PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Exhibited collection at the International Salon de la Lingerie in Paris (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004)

Honored with the prestigious “Les Rubans de Madame Figaro Design Award” in Paris (1998 & 1999)


More at OneBuckResume.com.