Work Experience

Lauren Finelli

ad449e@r.postjobfree.com

914-***-****

*** ***** ***

HAWTHORNE, NY, 10532

EDUCATION

Fashion Institute of Technology

State University of New York

BFA in Accessories Design, 2008

DEAR FINELLI,

WWW.DEARFINELLI.COM

AWARDS

2009 Finalist for Best

Handmade Handbag

Honored by the Independent

Handbag Designer Awards

2006 Winner for Best

Handmade Small Leather

Designs for FIT Accessories

Design Awards choosen

by Ralph Lauren

Leather Goods

SKILLS

• Adobe CC: Illustrator.

• Photoshop.

• Acessories sewing and

patternmaking.

• Knowledge of footwear

and accessories components.

• Global/domestic sourcing

of materials.

• Ability to sketch by hand.

us design patent

USD847502S1

Binding Bag

ESO- Senior Footwear Designer

NINE WEST (Girls) MARCH 2019-JANUARY 2022

• Lead designer responsible for building the Nine West girls footwear line.

• Worked closely with the licensor ABG on building each collection.

• Met with the Nine West womenʼs team at the beginning of each development season to review key trends, details and materials.

• Sells to all major footwear retailers (Macyʼs, Shoe Show, Shoe Dept., Kohlʼs, Marshalls,Von Maur, Burlington and Ross).

• Ordered, organized and managed samples for each customer.

• Worked closely with each customer on any special sample modifications or requests to meet their liking.

• Personally presented the Nine West girls shoe line each season to customers during FFANY.

• Built collection from 0 to 5 mill, projections are 8 mill despite how the pandemic has impacted retail.

RAMPAGE and SUGAR (Girls) JULY 2014-MARCH 2019

• Footwear designer responsible for the Rampage and Sugar lines.

• Design, develop, and manage key brands from concept into production.

• Built design business from scratch, increasing sales revenue up to 20 mill.

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of current and future trends through seasonal domestic and international travel (Including Miami, LA, Las Vegas, Italy, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Antwerp)

• Ensure that all styles reflect current demographics.

• Key brands are sold at major retailers such as Belk, Burlington, Fred Meyer, DSW, Kohlʼs, Macyʼs, Marshallʼs, Meijer, Payless, Ross, Shoe Carnival, Shoe Show,Shoe Dept., Stage.

• Increase relationships with key factories in China by traveling 2-4 times annually to review prototypes, fit and materials.

• Greatly improved efficiency through enhancing communication with overseas agents and factories.

• Merchandise the Rampage Girl and Sugar girl missy showrooms for all FFANY shows.

• Presents all seasonal trends and lines to customers during FFANY meetings, giving on average 10 key presentations weekly during busy season

• Oversaw all aspects of private label design specifically for customers, including Kmart, Sears and Kohlʼs, also assisted in design for Payless & Target accounts- managed a 20 mill account within a 40 mill business.

• Enhanced and finished footwear designs from proto-types to confirmation traveling to China twice a year.

• Researched and shopped Domestic trends in the competitive shoe market.

• Worked cross-functionally with Design Director & Sales team to ensure cohesiveness across all categories.

• Served as key customer contact through ongoing communication.

• Met with private label customers during FFANY meetings and traveled domestically for customer meetings.

• Designed all categories of Womenʼs and Juniorʼs private label footwear.

• Created original styles for retailers such as Express, Forever 21, JC Pennyʼs, Members Only, Kohlʼs & Urban Outfitters.

• Acted as a liaison between the customers and our factories to ensure order implementation and quality control.

• Worked closely with sales team to develop CAD presentations and monitor sales trends. NINA- Footwear Designer (Girls)

PRIVATE LABEL JULY 2012-JULY 2014

OLIVIA MILLER INC.- Footwear Designer

PRIVATE LABEL JULY 2008-JULY 2012

Handbag Designer & Founder

DEAR FINELLI, MAY 2020 - Present

• Founder of DEAR FINELLI, handbags.

• Sketches and designs the full line from concept to production.

• Researches major trends happening each season in the handbag market.

• Sources and develops materials and hardware with factories.

• Sends detailed spec sheets to agents for samples.

• Works with factories closely on correcting handbag patterns and protos. Senior Footwear Designer

Steve Madden (Girls) FEBRUARY 2022- Present

• Sr Footwear Designer working within the Steve Madden footwear team.

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• Renders footwear designs by hand then transfers sketches into AI/PS CAD form.

• Creates very detailed footwear spec sheets for each shoe style across all categories.

• Manages daily follow up with roughly 15 factories for development samples.

• Very experienced in correcting upper trial patterns and last/constructions.

• Manages footwear designs for retail and wholesale customer accounts.

• Presents seasonal trends and footwear lines during FFANY shows to all customers.

• Researches major trends each season through comp shopping and online research etc.

• Works crossfuntionally with sales and production teams on daily tasks. Supports the design director and team on all aspects of the design process. Works with SM womenʼs team to observe key trends and styles for each season. Apart of a 50 mill business, working in a fast paced enviroment.

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