Key Driver in Shaping and Developing Unique Brands and Creating Cohesive Brand Strategies and Brand Stories

 

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Seasoned Creative Director with a passion for contemporary fashion retail with firsthand management of all phases of product development from conception through design and production. Recognized for ability to present apparel, footwear, and accessories that resonate with customers through visionary and creative strategies for product visibility. Communicate a clear and inspirational vision to designers, copywriters, art directors, and producers. Engaging Brand Ambassador building media relationships to advance market presence, increase revenue, and profitability.

 

 

 

 

CORE SKILLS

 

​Visual Design/Art Direction                                            Fashion/MarketingProgram                             Messaging & Visual Identity                   

Apparel/Footwear/Accessories                                      Trend/Color Forecasting                                  Fashion Retail 

Cultural &Global Trends                                                 Aesthetic Sensibility                                        Creative Concept Presentation

Textiles/Fabrication                                                        Seasonal Storytelling                                       Marketing Strategy                  

Marketing/Branding Trends                                           Team Collaboration                                          Social Media Platforms 

UX/Front End Web Design                                             Onsite Merchandising                                     Design/Video Production 

Fashion Influencers                                                        Product Research                                           Product Development/Sourcing  

Sales Analysis/Brand Direction                                      Project Scope Development                           Price Points/Cost Containment

 

EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

DUNNING GOLF, New York, NY, 2022-PRESENT

Creative Director

 

• Leading the creative vision for all aspects of the brand including Branding, Packaging, Marketing and Apparel Design

• Managing a team of 3 members through the design and technical process

• Working closely with fabric mills to develop performance fabrics with the latest technology 

• Merchandising fabrication, color and styling over all categories of Women’s Golf, Men’s Golf and Men’s Lifestyle collections

•  Working closely with the Merchandising team, Product Development team, Sales team, Marketing team and upper management to ensure quality product and brand positioning.

•  Directing a collaboration with LPGA for the Solheim Cup uniforms to be worn by the players and volunteers at the event

•  Creating looks and product for sponsored players participating in tournaments.

 

FILA, New York, NY, 2020-2022

Training Division Lead Designer (Seasonal Contract) 

 

• Created theme and direction for multiple collections.

• Selected fabrications to achieve target price points while maintaining design integrity. 

• Developed product for both mens and womens apparel.

• Collaborated with the production and technical design staff to execute desired aesthetics. 

 

Ovadia & Sons, New York, NY, 2018-2020

Head of Knitwear and Tailored Clothing

 

• Led strategic design projects in collaboration with the founders, merchandiser, and domestic factory to achieve quality and correct processes as intended by the design, achieving maximum efficiency and productivity.

• Managed design, fabrication, and trim work, and allocated required resources to achieve production goals and to meet exacting standards and price points.

• Catalyst for defining the brand through art direction, graphic design, and UI.

• Infused marketing and branding trends in formulating creative and marketing plans and implementation.

• Accompanied design team to Asian factories to advance product development.

• Developed and managed WIP and T&A calendars to meet deadlines.

• Increased business by 17% in year one and 28% in year two and built design team from two to seven members by elevating the brand’s related separates within a cohesive collection.

• Achieved greater efficiency by refining production processes with overseas factories. 

 

 

RIVERSTONE, New York, NY, 2017-2018

Creative Director (One Year Contract)

 

• Completed a one-year contract to develop brand aesthetic to meet exclusive department store needs by reimagining styles from the brand archive and creating additional products for U.S. distribution.

• Led fittings and provided firsthand contributions in design, fabricating, printing, CAD development, initial tech-pack development, and partnered with pattern makers.

• Ensured designs aligned with merchandising plans, assortment strategies, and production schedules.

• Achieved seamless coordination with overseas factories for prototype development and production.

• Communicated post-showroom feedback from Sales to assess buyer responses.

 

 

BERNETTE TEXTILES, New York, NY, 2015-2017

Director of Design

 

• Chaired meetings with retail buying teams to discuss financial planning, creative direction, and strategy execution of the product and presented concepts and designs to the sales team.

• Managed multiple projects and met pressing deadlines by applying an understanding of construction and costing. 

• Partnered with merchandising team to create product line plans. 

• Increased bottom-line profitability by decreasing overhead production costs and by applying strong knowledge of apparel construction and costing.

• Achieved a profitable line each season by collaborating with merchandising, the technical department.

 

 

ROBERT GRAHAM, New York, NY, 2013-2015

Director of Knitwear

 

• Accountable for the design process, maintaining the aesthetic and integrity of the brand while balancing the needs of the business.

• Performed competitive market research and provided design inspiration for Knits.

• Collaborated with Concept team to identify trending seasonal big ideas, and managed designers and design teams in all aspects of creative output, timeliness, and resourcing, assigning roles for Designers and establishing a culture of design excellence.

• Traveled to Europe to capture trend inspiration and oversee product development and to Asia to oversee product development.

• Provided feedback to product developer for fabric, trim, and color submits.

 

 

O.N.E., Inc. (Design Studio), New York, NY, 2001-2012

Owner / Creative Director

 

• Established design studio, directing all phases of development of Men’s and Women's collections from mass-market to high-end luxury.

• Built a team of Designers and provided direction, drawing on expertise in category and trends, knowledge of the competitive set, and emerging global and domestic trends.

• Developed brand identities and creative direction, diagnosed issues with the brand, and creative development responses.

• Communicated a distinct point of view on brand’s position in market place and competitive differentiation to clients and recommendations on targeting audiences and expanding brand awareness. 

 

Highlights of Accomplishments:

 

1. Roam New York on HSN. Created and conceived a brand story, identity, and aesthetic, maintaining 80% sell-through for two consistent years, and acting as Brand Ambassador, selling the collection on the network.

2. Timberland. Designed and created aesthetics, levering their heritage and archives, elevating the brand into a more modern image, while remaining true to their DNA.

3. OMAR Signature Collection. Developed a custom suit collection with a sportswear component based in Harlem NYC focusing on celebrity and upscale clientele.

4. Wilsons Leather. Consultant on multiple aspects of this Men’s collection spearheaded special celebrity projects: Serena and Venus Williams and Kevin Garnett. Sourced and selected skins in Italy and Asia for both sportswear and outerwear. Traveled to Korea and Hong Kong to oversee sampling.

5. Nick Hilton. Designed Tailored Men’s Suiting and developed a specialized sportswear collection to complement the main collection. Worked with Indian factories on selecting tailored construction of the garments.

6. Flatiron Seven. Conceptualized and launched a Young Men’s Contemporary brand. Pioneered the introduction of ergonomic design in men’s sportswear for ease of wear, styling, functionality, and fit. Directed sales team in a specialty store distribution nationwide.

7. Rocawear. Launched an innovative brand with Jay-Z as the face of the brand. Targeted a niche customer base with classic American sportswear. Sales built from zero to over $15 million.

8. 8732/ROC Apparel. Launched a celebrity brand from initial concept, building volume from zero to $7 million with multi-level distribution. Designed all categories from denim bottoms to leather outerwear. Hired and directed a team of thirteen designers. 

 

 

 

 

 

EARLIER EXPERIENCE

 

• President and Creative Director - KARMA ASHRAM STUDIOS, INC. - New York, NY

• Head Designer, Young Men’s Sportswear – EXTO XXIV VII - New York, NY

• Head Designer – ENYCE (Young Men’s Sportswear) – New York, NY

• Designer – Everlast (Men’s and Boy’s Activewear) – New York, NY

 

EDUCATION

 

Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Menswear