Experience

FULLBEAUTY Brands

• United States
• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Design Director

  • Mar 2021 - Present

  United States Design leader for the Catherine's brand.



Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

• Senior Designer- Knits, Athleisure, Sweaters

  • 2017 - Mar 2021

  Columbus, Ohio Area Supported brand and cross-functional partners through corporate relocation and strategy shift. Onboarded almost entirely new team to understand the Catherines brand aesthetic, systems and culture. Developed growth strategies for Knits and Active delivering $75 Million in sales, accounting for 57% of the total business. Revamped Active assortment delivering a +6% comp amid COVID-19 with 100% stores closed. Grew E-commerce business to a +22% comp through product-led strategic initiatives… Show more Supported brand and cross-functional partners through corporate relocation and strategy shift. Onboarded almost entirely new team to understand the Catherines brand aesthetic, systems and culture. Developed growth strategies for Knits and Active delivering $75 Million in sales, accounting for 57% of the total business. Revamped Active assortment delivering a +6% comp amid COVID-19 with 100% stores closed. Grew E-commerce business to a +22% comp through product-led strategic initiatives. Cultivated a strong team dynamic through consistent collaboration and mentorship. - Lead team of 6 to ensure efficient workflow and adherence to fast paced deadlines - Executed design direction for product, raw materials, fit & color - Collaborated with VP of Design on seasonal trend and delivered a cohesive assortment - Worked closely with Merchant team to develop seasonal strategies and line plans - Oversaw all print development with CAD team to ensure a proper balance & color flow - Managed partnerships with cross-functional Tech design, Merchandising & Sourcing teams

• Designer- knits & Athleisure

  • 2013 - 2017

  Catherines Re-built the Knits business to $90 Million by creating a brand identity for Suprema basics and custom table programs. Integral in updating the brand aesthetic to be more relevant & appropriate for our evolving customer. Implemented new processes within the design team that streamlined workload and built efficiencies. - Improved direct penetration in Active from 70% to 100% and Knits from 60% to 90% - Lead team of four associates in sketching, creating tech packs & artwork… Show more Re-built the Knits business to $90 Million by creating a brand identity for Suprema basics and custom table programs. Integral in updating the brand aesthetic to be more relevant & appropriate for our evolving customer. Implemented new processes within the design team that streamlined workload and built efficiencies. - Improved direct penetration in Active from 70% to 100% and Knits from 60% to 90% - Lead team of four associates in sketching, creating tech packs & artwork development - Designed & presented concept through final assortment to Merchants & Leadership - Worked closely with Merchants on market research, competitive shopping & pricing - Traveled to Asia to visit factories, work with vendors & build relationships



Catherines - Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

• Associate Designer- Knits, Active, Sweaters

  • 2012 - 2013

  Promoted to Associate by consistently exceeding expectations and taking on special projects. Gained additional responsibility of sweaters, providing opportunity to broaden scope. Created a lane for immediate growth within in the company and outperformed sales goals at associate level. - Owned the design responsibilities and presentations for casual knits, active & sweaters - Managed an assistant designer and intern with sketching & creating tech packs - Worked closely… Show more Promoted to Associate by consistently exceeding expectations and taking on special projects. Gained additional responsibility of sweaters, providing opportunity to broaden scope. Created a lane for immediate growth within in the company and outperformed sales goals at associate level. - Owned the design responsibilities and presentations for casual knits, active & sweaters - Managed an assistant designer and intern with sketching & creating tech packs - Worked closely with Technical Design to ensure specs aligned with the creative vision - Managed the approval process of strike offs, trims & lab dips - Traveled to Asia to execute downtown sweater assortment directly with vendors

• Assistant Designer- Casual knits, Active, Sweaters, Sleepwear, Dresses and Swimwear

  • 2010 - 2012

  Bensalem PA - Created technical flat sketches of garments in Kaledo and Adobe Illustrator. - Filled mini bodies/ created CAD boards once line was complete to give the team a snap shot of -the final line. - Worked daily in webpdm to create tech packs, detailed the accessories worksheet with chosen trims, and worked closely with TD to create the specification sheet to execute the design. - Reviewed all submitted labdips and strike-off from overseas to ensure perfect color matching. - Worked… Show more - Created technical flat sketches of garments in Kaledo and Adobe Illustrator. - Filled mini bodies/ created CAD boards once line was complete to give the team a snap shot of -the final line. - Worked daily in webpdm to create tech packs, detailed the accessories worksheet with chosen trims, and worked closely with TD to create the specification sheet to execute the design. - Reviewed all submitted labdips and strike-off from overseas to ensure perfect color matching. - Worked closely with our merchant team and sourcing team to create a balanced line, while being sure to stand for the current fashion trends in a way that our customer will understand. - Shopped local stores and New York to understand market trends, and worked to translate them for our customer. - Prepared and organized our team for Line review and Line close meetings to make sure the presentation of our designs was the best possible. - Chosen for a store trip to Arizona, was able to interview customers and gain more detailed understanding for her wants and needs.

• Sourcing/ Pre-Production Intern

  • Feb 2010 - May 2010

  Bensalem PA - Helped source fabric qualities with our overseas offices and maintained a fabric library of submitted qualities. - Worked on costing with the Overseas team using cost breakdown charts. - Worked closely with the design team to execute their vision, while offering up cost reducing options and keeping our target price in mind. - Worked in excel to run reports and track tech pack sending status from our design team. - Tracked line review and line close samples to ensure they got… Show more - Helped source fabric qualities with our overseas offices and maintained a fabric library of submitted qualities. - Worked on costing with the Overseas team using cost breakdown charts. - Worked closely with the design team to execute their vision, while offering up cost reducing options and keeping our target price in mind. - Worked in excel to run reports and track tech pack sending status from our design team. - Tracked line review and line close samples to ensure they got here in time for our meetings. - Managed/ updated the company vertical calendar.