CLAUDIA GARCIA

Glendale, NY ***** 718-***-**** acuuxe@r.postjobfree.com

Footwear & Handbag Designer

Motivated, detail-oriented, and dynamic creative professional with more than 15 years of comprehensive experience and a proven record of expertise in design, product development, and production for major mainstream and contemporary footwear brands. Hands-on leader and excellent communicator with an aptitude for establishing collaborations within global and cross-functional teams. Skilled in facilitating entire lifecycle of design projects, from concept development through finished confirmation products.

Core Competencies

Creative Design

Product Development

Conceptual Design

Trend Analysis

Merchandising

Styling & Sketching

Manufacturing Process

Fashion & Pricing

Project Management

MS Word & Excel

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Professional Experience

White Line Footwear Collection, New York, NY 2014 – 2016

Senior Footwear Designer, Line-Builder, & Product Manager

Led design, development, and merchandising for complete line of products in ladies and girls brands from concept through productions. Developed diverse categories including injection, vulcanized, cemented, flats, heels, wedges, sandals, jelly sandals, boots, and casual sneakers. Consistently achieved timely development of lines with strict adherence to action calendars. Facilitated communication daily with international offices regarding technical details, sourcing materials, and any issues in cost or production. Participated in tradeshows and seminars to continually update personal knowledge and communicate latest fashion trends with sales teams.

Leveraged number of tools and skills to facilitate design including mood boards, free hand sketches, cading, research into color and trends, sourcing, material development, and spec packages.

Developed unique lines as appropriate for each season, managing and sourcing all products as well as conducting detailing and fit tests.

Collaborated with sales teams and Owner in assessment of past season sales in order to identify potential areas for updates as well as to determine forecast volumes.

Frequently traveled domestically and internationally for inspiration and research as well as with Owner to Asia to discuss designs and quality standards with agents and factories.

Provided Design Assistants and Interns with training and mentorship regarding sales cads, tech packs, records and photo sessions, graphic design, line sheets, and showroom organization.

Assisted Owner with conception, design, and building of new handbag line.

Key Clients: Burlington, Boscov’s, Ross, Discovery, TJX, Wal-Mart, Rue21, Fabco, Zulily, Cititrends, 10 Spot, YM Inc., VF Outlet, Dollar General, Cato, Fred’s, Cookies, It’s Fashion, various retailors.

Yoki Fashion International, LLC, New York, NY 2012 – 2014

Head of Women Footwear Design

Led design of complete lines of footwear for women and juniors across diverse categories and various constructions. Utilized Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to complete hand sketches daily. Created designs for new domestic and global accounts. Frequently traveled to Europe and U.S. for market research and trend shopping. Developed and presented trend boards, color palettes, and sample collections for use by sales teams. Collaborated closely with production team and partners in Asia.

Continually assessed opportunities to translate trends into fully wearable products for each season through shopping for new construction, materials, and accessories.

Professional Experience, Continued

(Yoki, Continued)

Facilitated daily communication with overseas factories and agents to ensure successful meeting of timelines for press, account delivery, and show dates.

Directed training and daily activities a team of 2 assistants in CAD presentations for sales teams.

Maintained current and effective personal knowledge through participation at trade shows, vintage shows, and design concept seminars.

Key Clients: RUE 21, Wet Seal, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Love Culture, Mandees, Rainbow, and BCF.

Candela NYC, LLC, New York, NY 2012

Freelance Technical Footwear Designer

Conceptualized and designed product lines for all seasons in women’s high fashion and casual women footwear, utilizing hand sketches, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Providing partners in China, Spain, and Europe with technical spec and production packages.

Key Highlights:

Ensured Asian operations met quality standards and aesthetics, reviewing sample corrections and participating in fit meetings.

Regularly facilitated communication with global factories to ensure successful completion of product lines to meet milestones for show dates and press releases.

ES Originals, New York, NY 2011 – 2012

Footwear Designer

Designed complete product lines for women, young miss, and infant athletic categories for various mass market accounts. Collaborated with factories and partners based in Asia to conduct sampling and monitor manufacturing while sourcing new items-materials for upcoming seasons. Attended design seminars.

Conducted regularly international trips to conduct research and analysis into annual trends, materials, construction, and color inspiration to ensure competitive edge.

Closely tracked emerging footwear and fashion trends, utilizing seasonal style boards and books for use by sales and design teams.

Provided sales teams with cads to support product visualization campaigns for potential retailers.

Consistently achieved all product milestones and deadlines, despite even accelerated deadlines.

Key Clients: Wal-Mart, Payless Shoe Source, Academy, Ross Stores, Target, Sears, Ryka, and Avia.

Kingo Shoes USA, Inc., New York, NY 2008 – 2011

Senior Designer & Line Builder

Collaborated with owners in build and development of various collections for major accounts and private labels. Established daily communication with factories in Asia, India, Spain, and Central America for design, production issues, and commercialization issues.

Continually updated knowledge through participation in leather, trend, and footwear shows.

Key Clients: DSW. JC Penney, Target, Steve Madden, JCrew, Juicy Couture, Frye Boots, and Kenneth Cole.

Vince Camuto Corp., Greenwich, CT 2008

Freelance Sketcher & Designer

JSSI, New York, NY 1995 – 2007

Director of Creative Development & Designer

Key Clients: Lugz, Sneaux, NYLC, British Knights

Education and Training

Associate of Science, Accessories Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY

Associate of Science, Fashion Design & Sportswear, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY

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