Contact: symbolikdesigns@earthlink.net

I moved to LA from my hometown of Maple Valley, Washington in 1998. If you blinked when you were driving through it, you'd miss it all that small!  All I knew of LA was the bright lights and the big city that was full of endless opportunities. My goal was to own my own clothing line, but my path has taken me in many different directions. 

I was active in Drama club and jazz during high school, so I had the experience of working on several different plays and musicals with our directors on establishing wardrobe criteria based on the script.  I never thought I would have a "real" chance at it in the big city, but always entertained the thought of it. Someone once told me that you live and die in the fashion industry...Once you get in, it's like a drug...always wanting more!

I have definitely found that to be true!

I earned my degree in Apparel Merchandise Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2000. I then went on to earn an advanced degree in International Manufacturing and Product Development in 2001. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I spent the winter studying European Merchandise Marketing at the London College of Fashion in England. Over St. Patty's day, I spent the weekend in Ireland, upon where I was graced with the presence of Ms. Laurie Goretski.

We met in Galway, Ireland...we studied 20 minutes from each other in London, but lived 10 minutes from each other in Burbank, California. WellÉ.if that wasn't a sign, what is???  She told me all about this movie she was writing called "The White Room", and asked if I had ever been interested in doing costume design or wardrobe. Naturally, if it had to do with clothing or design, I wanted to try it.  It seemed a natural progression with my curiosity and interest in film and writing, in addition to the 9 yrs of experience in fashion.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience, and who better to work with than a good friend.  It was a chance to make one of my dreams come true, as well as my friend's.

So to sum it all up, it was one of the best experiences of my life and if I had the chance to do it again, I most definitely would!

         Currently I am working as a production manager for a clothing line and I still do freelance design on the side. But behind the paper pushing and the endless hours behind my desk glued to a computer, I miss every aspect of working on this film and the experience it has brought to me. Hope you enjoy it!

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

á       11 years in fashion industry with focus on Juniors/Young Men's market

á       Built a strong network of domestic and overseas manufacturers and agents.

á       Extensive business travels and studies in international markets in Asia and Europe.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1/03-Present          Innovo-Azteca Apparel Inc. Production Manager-Shago Clothing.

Licensed Brands: Fetish By Eve, Shago by Lil' Bow Wow, Hot Wheels Vintage.

á       Building Shago Clothing line from Inception to current plan of $15 million for 2003.

á       Managing full cycle of production and development on all levels for Shago Clothing.

á       Managing sample coordination and allocation for 10 sales offices in U.S.

á       Managing and performing all fits, grading and design approvals.

á       Responsible for letters of credit, inspection certificates and clearance of all imported goods.

á       Assisting in the systems support/maintenance, order/LC/office functions and development of Fetish by Eve.

á       Assisting in the systems support/maintenance, order/LC/office functions and development of Hot Wheels Mens.

11/1992-99, 5/2001-12/03     Lux Corporation D.B.A. Mr. RAgs         Long Beach, CA

05/2001-1/03         Juniors Designer/Private Brand  Management

á       Assisted GMM to manage augmentation of three in-house private brands from inception to current plan of $24 million in retail sales for 2002.

á       Worked in alliance with juniors buyer to increase juniors private brand penetration from inception to current 26% ($1.5 mil) planned for 2002.

á       Designed and developed all areas/categories of juniors private brand  "RLAB" from inception.

á       Performed all areas of design including tech packs, tech. flat sketching, specifications, grading approvals and fit.

á       Liaison between manufacturers and corporate for QC and all Int'l documents, LC, IC, Payments, etc.

á       Built a strong relationship and network of overseas and domestic manufacturers, suppliers and agents.

á       Restructuring and maintenance of Private Label department including: Organization and implementation of fabric, trims and hardware library.  Development and maintenance of woven labels w/manufacturer, and implementation of color and trend services.

3/1996-5/1998      Juniors and Accessory Buyer

á       Increased total juniors penetration from 7% to 13% of total company.  (store openings grew from 33 to 80 stores during  96-98)

á       Buying and coordinating all lifestyles and classifications within juniors and accessory divisions.

á       Built a strong network of accounts and vendors in juniors and accessory markets.

á       Forging strategic business alliances with branded vendors  incorporating several aspects of marketing

(i.e. coordinating POP signage, advertising, events, promotions, etc.)

á       Assisted in launching/designing first private label line DLUX for young men's / juniors.

1995-1996            Visual Display and Merchandising

1992-1996, 98-99    Retail Sales and Management 

Just Something Different Clothing Company Los Angeles, California

Designer

á       Responsible for all design, development, fit, sourcing and execution of junior's collection.

á       Researched and executed all fabrics, trend and color forecasting.

á       Worked in alliance with Production manager to oversee all manufacturing/QC (vertical operation) 

á       Daily interaction with pattern makers, cutters, sewers and production manager.

á       Responsible for the execution of cut tickets, cost sheets, creating line sheets and spec sheets.

2000-2001    Agron Inc. / Adidas Sportswear International    Los Angeles, California

á       Implemented and maintained organization of fabric / trims / hardware library.

á       Maintained and sequentially organized lab dips, proto and production samples.

2000           Holbrook & Hailey-UK Representatives for Pecler's Paris

á       Assisting in the construction of trend presentation boards and fashion predictive books for one of the largest trend forecasting /design consultant firms.

á       Contributed photographs and notations of current trends during a 3-month of study of key retailers in London.

EDUCATION

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles, California.

Advanced AA, International Manufacturing and Product Development 2001.

AA Merchandise Marketing 2000.

Phi Theta Kappa/Magna cum Laud 1998-2001

London College of Fashion.  London, England.

Certificate of study, European Fashion Merchandising and Communication. 2000

CYC Overseas Affairs Commission / Ocean University. Taiwan, R.O.C.

Certificate of study, Chinese Business, language and cultural studies.  1998.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND ACTIVITIES

Proficient in use of Illustrator, freehand 9, Office and Works programs. (IBM/MAC)

Experienced in Pacific Apparel Systems

Bi-lingual in Mandarin Chinese language

Typing 65+WPM/ 10-key

Active FIDM alumni and Phi Theta Kappa member.