C a r o l i n e D u f f e l l

C o n t a c t

A: 431 Magnolia Lane,

Green Community East,

Dubai Investment Park,

Dubai,

UAE

T: +971-*********

E: acqx8s@r.postjobfree.com

P e r s o n a l P r o f i l e

A confident, energetic stylist and brand specialist who is passionate about luxury and high street fashion and excited by this challenging fast paced environment.

A bright, enthusiastic individual, who graduated with a 2:1 in BA Honours degree in Fashion, Product and Promotion at Sunderland University, I am keen for secure work within the fashion industry to improve my experience, in hope of reaching my goal and to further my career.

I provide a positive, hardworking, quick to learn, and a ‘can do‘ attitude. I have excellent customer service skills and I am equally comfortable working as part of a team, and provide core skills and enthusiasm, as well as relishing a challenge on my own accord. I have strong communication, analytical and organisational skills .

Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s

Degree BA Hons Fashion,

Product & Promotion 2:1

BTEC National Diploma Fashion and Textiles Distinction; Merit; Merit

AS Levels English Language Sociology

Theology General Studies

GCSE (Grade ‘C’ and above) English Language English Literature

Maths Religious Education

ICT Dual Award Science

Spanish Geography

Textiles

2001 – 2006 St Anthony’s Girls’ School, Sunderland

2006 – 2007 St Anthony’s Sixth Form, Sunderland

2007 – 2009 Newcastle College

2009 – 2012 Sunderland University

W o r k E x p e r i e n c e

Buying Intern House Of Fraser

During my career at House Of Fraser I have made it obvious that Buying is the path I want to go down so I was put to the test and sent down to our Head Office to work with the Branded Womenswear team on Fast Fashion. Throughout my time there I was asked to prepare and create presentation boards for AW15 showing items just bought and making sure they are all sorted into the correct months with the correct information and product codes using their option details and excel boards. I was also measuring product performance, looking at excel spreadsheets and seeing if the product is online. Checking and writing reviews for the webstore for Lipsy, Jessica Wright, Vero Moda, YAS, Millie Mackintosh and Lace and Beads. I also used Mercatus and created a comp shop and denim fashion presentation on Powerpoint.

Brand Specialist House Of Fraser

Working alongside luxury brands such as Armani, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Replay, Paul Smith, Jack and Jones, Ted Baker, Diesel and Levi’s etc delivering sales and service excellence, building brand loyalty and maximising sales through my passion and commitment to the brands and driving my team to exceed expectations. Experience of working within a selling environment working with luxury items. Working at a supervisory level within a retail environment. Working as part of an enthusiastic team within a commercial, sales driven and fast paced fashion retail environment. Actively greeting customers and maintaining a level of conversation throughout their store visit. Maintaining superb visual standards. Dealing with customer complaints in a professional and courteous manner. Driving sales and hitting targets. Attending meetings and making sure I contact head office on a regular basis. I have an excellent understanding of seasonal trends and am able to advise customers accordingly. Maximise sales through timely replenishment activity and communication with sales manager and SSC contacts.. Motivate the team to ensure Customer Service standards are achieved at all times. I am able to identify commercial opportunities which benefit the department.

Personal Stylist House Of Fraser

As a stylist I need to have a strong up-to-date knowledge and understanding of designers and brands within the store and current trends as well as their fit and the required customer. I need to be able to think on my feet and come up with a look instantly as well as reacting instantly to the customer’s demands taking into considering their body shape, budget and the occasion they need to be dressed for. I need to have good balance and creative flair. I was also asked to attend training at Hugo Boss’ Head Office for formal wear training.

Social Media Intern KM Image Consulting

I worked as an intern for the styling company which is based in London but I was able to work from home. During my internship at KM Image Consulting the job required me to build and expand their social media network, researching high and luxury fashion brands to include in their blog and some office work, writing and posting blog posts/tweets/updates etc, finding users to follow/friend/ like the business, tracking the growth and impact of social media on the business, creating new profiles and pages for example facebook, instagram, twitter.

The skill requirements I was expected to have were excellent written and verbal communication skills, I needed to be creative with an eye for design, the ability to develop a detailed and professional marketing plan, experience in proofreading and editing and the ability to identify a target market and 'speak' to that consumer through social media.

Levis

Denim Specialist

Start date November, I began working in Levis in which I hold the role of sales specialist and shop floor merchandiser. Since starting, I have created a wide support network throughout my workplace and enjoy being part of the team in which we work to boost each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Throughout my role I have to learn many measurement requirements and styles of jeans in order to see what best fits the customer I am serving. I also handle the stock upkeep by creating a regular stock rotation throughout the store. I also regularly style the mannequins throughout the store.

Intern Essence Communications

Participated behind the scenes at London Fashion Week at the shows Belle Sauvage, Jenna Theo

and Ashley Isham in February 2011. Including meeting and greeting, which heightened my sociability skills.

I n t e r e s t s

Interests include reading, especially major fashion magazines of which I get my ideas for photography in all aspects, styling, visual merchandising, customising and making own clothes, through styling- I won a Debenhams competition in the Bridges in Sunderland City Centre in 2010 and styled mannequins. Travelling has also played a major part in my life as I have gathered inspiration as well as aspiration which has only motivated me further to pursue my dreams. I also enjoy fundraising and running marathons (I competed from 2009-2011) to support The Raynauds foundation.

R e f e r e n c e s

Available upon request.

Cover letter

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am a hard working, enthusiastic, motivated, focused and driven individual.

Academic Progression

I graduated with a 2:1 in Fashion, Product and Promotion from the University of Sunderland. The course specialised in a variety of different aspects of the fashion industry, such as; designing, illustration, textiles, photography, styling, branding and promotion, which helped develop my knowledge and abilities to prepare me for the industry. For my final major project I created my own magazine that included a lot of styling and photography, if you are interested in viewing the magazine you can find it at:

http://issuu.com/carolineduffell/docs/equinox

I also have a National Diploma in Textiles which I received the triple grade: Distinction, Merit, Merit.

Skills Developed

I.T skills consist of Microsoft word, Excel, Power point and Publisher.

I am also at an advanced level at using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.

While at University, I never had only one project to complete at a time, it was about multi tasking, I usually had to juggle about 3 different projects and putting the same amount of effort into each of them and I thrive on the pressure which is why I never missed a deadline.

I have strong analytical skills;

I have excellent communication skills;

I can adapt well to any situation;

I am capable of working alone and also as part of a team as I can work well with others;

Computer literate;

I also enjoy support of others around me;

I am looking for new challenges.

I feel I have the following creative skills:

Photography- I created my own magazine for my final major project at University.

Styling- I styled my own photo shoots as well as helping peers with the styling in theirs too.

I assisted on peers photo shoots as well as doing my own as a model, make up artist, photographer and stylist.

I have strong attention to detail.

I have an edgy style with helps me to think outside the box when given a project.

I’m a very visual person and great at putting things together.

My hobbies include photography, styling, I have recently started my own blog, reading magazines such as, Hunger, Dazed and Confused, Love and I.D.

The main attractions to the fashion industry that have interested me is the excitement, versatility, creativity, escapism and there are no restrictions.

I am looking for a career, not just a job. Somewhere I can thrive, where my ideas can make a difference, where I can learn new skills and broaden my knowledge.

I enclose my CV for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Duffell

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