EDUCATION

Cal Poly Pomona 2015 - 2018 Apparel Merchandising & Management Bachelor’s Degree

EXPERIENCE

DESIGNER & PRODUCT DEVELOPER I.AM.GIA / Los Angeles, CA / September 2022 - Present -Design and development of women's apparel collections, including knits and wovens, aligning with the fast fashion preferences of the Gen Z demographic with several best sellers in each collection. -Conducted extensive research on themes and trends, drawing inspiration from various social media platforms, influencers, pop culture, and global fashion trends. -Translated high street trends into unique, marketable designs tailored to our target audience, resulting in a 15% increase in customer engagement and brand relevance. -Led the end-to-end product development process from conceptualization and sketching to creating initial tech packs and overseeing the production of samples. -Established effective communication channels with overseas suppliers to ensure timely and efficient collection creation, reducing production lead times by 20% and improving overall production efficiency. -Mentored and provided support to junior team members, facilitating their growth and development within the organization.

ASSOCIATE DESIGNER Teddy Fresh / Los Angeles, CA / September 2021 - Present - Support design and product development operations by creating and updating tech packs on a daily basis based on design, materials, garment construction and fit - Partner directly with CEO, creative director and design director to analyze and identify upcoming trends that resonate with the brand’s voice and customer - Create 20-40 CADs weekly based on quarterly concepts and line plans, keeping in mind sales data and planning goals - Select fabrics, yarns, trims and colors that aligned with the company’s design, delivery and costing needs - Participate in daily fittings to communicate and hone in on design intent from proto stage to production - Lead monthly tech pack hand off meetings between design and development to initiate the sampling process - Determine the construction of each garment, taking into consideration the company’s fit and quality standards - Develop the brand’s story and vision, taking into account current and potential market trends to create key product offerings

ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPER Rue 21 / Los Angeles, CA / February 2021 - September 2021 - Executed buyer intent to ensure best fit for the company’s plus size line. - Fit and commented on a dozen garments daily on a 48 hour turnaround to meet fast fashion deadlines - Utilized market knowledge and discretion to drive style and fit decisions. - Communicated with manufacturers to approve samples, colors, trims and fabrics. - Acted as the liaison between merchandisers and vendors to achieve the aesthetic and functional vision of the company - Created new tech packs based off of best selling styles and evolved specifications to reflect trend influences - Visited retail locations to collect customer feedback and market research. - Issued grading specifications to ensure consistent fit throughout the size range

ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL DESIGNER I.AM.GIA / Los Angeles, CA / November 2019 - April 2020 - Established grading and fit standards to vendors. Created a “how to measure guide” used within the brand and with vendors. - Developed tech packs and CAD sketches from proto stage to production. - Worked closely with production and design teams on technical construction and fit issues - Set the technical groundwork for potential lingerie line - Assembled and managed the progress of technical packages - Communicated fit comments, to overseas vendors through written reports, sketches and pattern corrections regarding development and fit information - Contributed to fit sessions by making appropriate recommendations for fit and construction issues to track fitting progress and recording notes PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR - Headed the responsibility for maintaining open and positive company culture by organizing office events - Worked in close collaboration with CEO and office manager to support ideation and execution of events - Submitted budgets and option plans to HR for approval. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY COORDINATOR - Evaluated the company’s environmental impact and researched ways to reduce carbon footprint. - Implemented programs in office to establish base level sustainability - Worked on the inaugural team to create a plan for the company’s sustainability initiatives - Planned and led employee workshops to educate colleagues on upcoming sustainability measures.

TECHNICAL DESIGN ASSISTANT BCBG / Los Angeles, CA / April 2018 - July 2019 - Work closely with production and design teams on technical construction and fit issues - Assemble and manage the progress of technical packages
- Communicate TOP, reference and fit sample comments, to overseas vendors through written reports, sketches and pattern corrections regarding development and fit information
- Contribute to fit sessions by making appropriate recommendations for fit and construction issues to track fitting progress for BCBGeneration team - Manage the organization and prioritization of the technical design team’s workload needs to meet deadlines, partnering with production and design teams as needed
- Support the technical design team’s workload by creating fit schedules and maintaining track of sample development and measurement records
- Adhere to established fit and construction standards by producing accurate specification packages including sketch details, base size specifications, grading, construction and packaging details
- Participate in style and fit approval process with cross-functional partners to meet all deadlines and address issues for resolution with technical designers

FREELANCE DESIGNER Self Employed / Los Angeles, CA / September 2016 - April 2018 - Created promotional material for “Up ‘Til Dawn,” a fundraiser benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, raising over $17,000 at Cal Poly Pomona
- Produced graphic design concepts for Resollective Entertainment’s prospective apparel line of artist tees
- Tech packing, marketing graphics and line sheet production at HUF Worldwide

DESIGN INTERN HUF Worldwide / Los Angeles, CA / April 2016 - September 2016 - Supported the design team with their daily tasks such as tech packing, sourcing and research & development - Worked directly with the creative director to conceive various design concepts - Designed visual pieces for their Spring/Summer 2016 global sales meeting, attended by the brand’s major retailers - Calculated supply chain availability for SMU products and communicated results to the manufacturer to determine project viability - Selected the color design and graphics for three core sock product lines
- Analyzed past seasons sales trends to provide market insight to the design team
- Assisted the marketing team in developing online and print catalogs
- Established standardized reference guides for trims and labels to optimize efficiency during the design process

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INTERN Billabong / Irvine, CA / January 2015 - June 2015 - Prepared tech packs and bills of material through the company’s PLM database for production - Tasked with line management and sample coordination
- Organized textile swatches and lap-dips from manufacturing contractors
- Merchandised collections for sales team meetings
- Coordinated sample shipment and delivery from overseas vendors
- Assessed competitor sales to determine wholesale and retail pricing goals - Communicated fit notes with pattern making and sewing teams

SKILLS

Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Hand & Computer Sketching, Apparel Design, Technical Design, Tech Packing, Garment Construction, Communication, PDM & Flex PLM, Organization, Research & Development, Product Development, Sourcing, Graphic Design, Trend Forecasting, Merchandising & Buying