Design/Merchandising

MICHELLE_YU ***********@*****.*** ***_***_****

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

** ***** ****** ********** ** Contemporary Apparel Proven Leadership and People Management Skills

Ability to Develop and Deliver Collections to Major Retailers Partner Management & Sales Support

Brand Development

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Solow_Design Consultant / Senior Designer / Merchandiser

July 2013_September 2014

_ Revitalized and relaunched existing activewear/loungewear collection that resulted in 20% increase of new

accounts at high end e-tailers and stores such as Net-a-Porter, Revolve, Gilt, and Nasty Gal.

_ Elevated designs to broaden customer base while keeping in mind mass market appeal, which increased

overall sales by 35%.

_ Developed key methods of strategic sales by merchandising seasonal collections accordingly to buyer’s market,

designed each product with competitive wholesale pricing, and utilized bestselling products to rework back

into the collection.

_ Provided leadership and motivation to the design team, cross-functional divisions and partners in order to

streamline tasks that resulted in doubling team’s efficiency.

_ Implemented weekly production reviews that improved hitting monthly delivery schedules by 70%.

_ Led restructuring the design department which increased team efficiency by 50% and improved product quality.

_ Increased brand awareness by conceptualizing art direction for photo shoots, lookbooks and tradeshows.

Lucca Couture_Senior Designer / Merchandiser

April 2011_July 2013

_ Designed Lucca Couture sportswear collection and increased orders by 30% in the first 6 months that led to

launching a second collection Ash Rain+Oak.

_ Created individual product development programs for major accounts such as Urban Outfitters, Piperlime/Gap,

and Anthropology to maximize sales that resulted in renewed business.

_ Managed design team’s work flow and developments daily which resulted in increased knowledge of buyer and

sales’ needs.

_ Organized seasonal collection presentations, monthly product meetings and European travel for product research,

which resulted in the company keeping up to date on trends and cross team aligned on task prioritization.

_ Led proactive showcasing of product before designing across relevant departments such as sales, marketing, design, and preproduction, resulting in increased cross team engagement and addressing any concerns upfront.

_ Regularly traveled to China to proact ively and reactively resolve technical and production issues to guarantee quality and timely delivery to stores.

_ Presented 10 styles to Urban Outfitters within my first week of hire that generated $140k in sales.

_ Conceptualized art direction for photo shoots and lookbooks to promote on social media and industry events

that contributed to 30% increase in sales.

Rock & Republic, Senior Designer

February 2007_May 2010

_ Produced innovative sportswear designs for runway and ready-to-wear collection that was well received by

press and fashion publications which was conducive to $300 million in sales yearly.

_ Generated presentations for development ideas after travelling to trade shows in Europe and Asia for market research which kept the company at the forefront of competitors.

_ Established professional relationships and resources and applied creative problem solving thinking that resulted in a swift execution of seasonal deliveries.

_ Collaborated with VP of design, design director, merchandiser, and sales of ideas, changes, and issues across all necessary departments to ensure brand enhancement.

_ Supervised a design team of 30 people and encouraged a positive and professional atmosphere to increase productivity and flexibility to shift priorities in a fast paced environment.

_ Managed communication between domestic and overseas teams regarding design specifications to expedite product development.

_ Refined technical design packages and minimized errors by 20%.

BCBG, Associate Designer

December 2003_October 2004

_ Created 20% of ready-to-wear dress collection some which gained exposure in advertisements on website,

billboards, magazines, and retail store windows.

_ Distributed responsibilities for product to be made from sketch to proto sample.

_ Coordinated with internal and China team and provided design process efficiency.

_ Tracked status of each product closely and ensured on-time collection completion for line plan meetings.

_ Formed solid professional relationships with external partners which resulted in smooth correspondence and

transactions for ordering domestic and overseas supplies.

_ Effectively supported team efforts by sharing resources and vital experiences with colleagues.

Robert Rodriguez, Lead Assistant Designer

October 2002_December 2003

_ Provided high quality support in sportswear design to Robert Rodriguez that resulted in a promotion to lead

assistant designer within 2 months of employment.

_ Created original artwork such as illustrations, prints, engineered layouts, and graphics from inspiration ideas

using illustrator and photoshop which led to 80% usage of all artwork created.

_ Worked hands on with each team member during development stages and communicated design process to

production that resulted in a seamless operation.

_ Facilitated a broad range of administrative functions including organizing design expenses, design database,

calendar management, business correspondence, and travel arrangements.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Otis College of Art and Design

_ Certificate in Digital Media Arts

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

_ Associates Degree in Fashion Design

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