Manager Designer

NAJEEB PALAKKAL

INFORMATION:

Contact information: Cell: +971-**-***-**** +971-**-***-****

P.O Box: 21273, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Email: **************@*****.***

PROFILE

Extremely creative and well developed Fashion Design Professional with extensive experience in orchestrating all aspects of Men's, Women's, and Children's Clothing design operations while demonstrating attuned attention to detail and inventive qualities. Astute knowledge of women & girls’ clothing lines, as well as various computerized fashion design programs. Actively pursuing fashion design position in an operational environment that will effectively utilize acquired artistic skills and abilities while demonstrating over 14 years of experience in the professional field.

CATEGORY: Fashion Retail

AREA OF EXCELLENCE:

• Creative Direction • Brand Development • Conceptual Design • Fashion Illustration

• Trend Analysis • Fabric, Color Direction • Mood Boards • Presentation Boards

• Retail Buying • Tech pack Specifications • Garment fit Evaluation • Negotiating

• Quality Assurance • Product Development • Budget Management • Competitor Analysis

• Leadership Skills • Project coordination • Planning & Developing • Client Relationship Management

• Styling • Fine & Industrial Art • Embroidery • Visual Merchandising

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Work History & Professional Experience: Over 14 years of experience in Apparel Design, Buying and Brand Development.

Organization: Eglantine Design & Consultancy, Dubai, UAE Duration: Feb'2016 - Working in the Present

Position: DESIGN MANAGER

Achievements and responsibilities:

Responsible for giving design direction for the fashion season, attending overseas sourcing trips, and training and managing a team. Attending trade shows and concept shopping in the domestic and European market.

Organization: Avenue LLC, Dubai, UAE Duration: April'2012 – Jan.’2016

Position: SENIOR DESIGNER & CREATIVE LEADER

Achievements and responsibilities:

Developing initial to final concept of monthly deliveries. Creating monthly color palette, trend board, mood board, artwork and key looks to reflect the flavor of each season. Identifying key product and best sellers for each delivery to maximize the business. Traveling to Asia for seasonal development and ensuring effective and clear directions are given to vendors for seasonal deliverable. Directing multiple categories including knit and woven tops, related separates, sweaters, dresses, and outer wear in missy, petite and plus size business. Setting up the design calendar and guiding the design team in meeting deadlines for key dates. Collaborating with sourcing and technical team with new product ideas and cost challenge those ideas to be cost effective businesses.

Organization: MARXIZ Lifestyle, Bali, Indonesia Duration: October’2009 – Dec’11

Position: BRAND MANAGER (High-end Women’s-Men’s Wear Brand) Website: www.marxiz.com

Achievements and responsibilities:

Provided direction and head the design dept., Conducted extensive international trend research, theme inspiration, and colors direction to the produce fresh new collections. Over saw line production, attended product development meetings, and prepared showroom setup. Established seasonal line plans for the brand and co-ordinate the product development process that drives product design, sourcing and packaging development. Organize photo shoots, magazine events, and fashion shows.

Delivered Results:

*Played a key role creating the best-selling collections in the history of Marxiz brand. *Earned recognition for generating the highest sales for the company. *Received press recognition at high-profile events, which further promoted the brand.

Organization: SPLASH Gulf LLC, Landmark retail Group, Dubai, UAE Duration: July’2006 – Sept’09

Position: FASHION DESIGNER CUM BUYER Web site: www.splashfashions.com

Brands Handled:

-NEXUS: Stylish collection for Sophisticated & Refined Man &Women.

-SCARLET: Plus size women with definite Attitude.

Achievements and responsibilities:

Conceptualized, created, merchandised and develop seasonal collection for the Mass Market. Utilized illustration skills in artwork development. Ensured correct style and achieved proper fit in attendance at fittings. Played an integral role in product development meeting.

Creating technical packages, developing swatches and conducting fittings for the business. Traveling to Europe and domestic market for trend and sample shopping. Traveling to various Asian countries for seasonal developments. Designing fast fashion items of various category and has been extremely well received in editorial press

Working closely with Buyer/Merchandisers and Far-East manufacturers to develop product from first sample. Share fashion insights and analysis with buyers to help them choose the appropriate inventory purchases.

FREELANCE DESIGNING

RIVA FASHION, Kuwait city, Kuwait Duration : Jan’2012 – April'2012

Position: FASHION DESIGNER CUM VISUAL MERCHANDISER

- The brand: Riva is a unique brand for ladies and kids wear, defined by combining bold colors with artisan details and

Modern silhouettes. Riva has been developed by Armada Retail Concept Group (Kuwait).

Responsibilities: Creating/visualizing an idea and making a sketch by hand or using computer aided design. Responsible for designing and developing product which is commercial, profitable and follows the critical path. Producing design ideas for display and developing floor plans and also following a company plan.

Rabia Leather Industries, Chennai, India Duration: Jan’2005 – April’06

Position: FASHION DESIGNER

- Brands Handled: Moschino, NEXT, PETERBLACK, ARMANI Exchange, Mark & Spenser and IMPULSE.

Achievements and responsibilities: Designed & developed Seasonal collection of Leather Accessories for Men & Women’s.

Rabia collections allow a mix of Eastern and Western inspirations, presenting a unique look with a sophisticated appeal. The outstandingly creative collections are full of fun elements which allow every woman to express themselves through a beautiful world of colors, patterns and themes by respecting all cultural boundaries.

Visual Merchandising Designer for Raymond's shop, Mount Rd & Anna Nagar, Chennai.

Visual Merchandising Designer for Rasi Silk Emporium, Anna Nagar & Mylapore Branch, Chennai.

Designed the Costumes for a Mega Tamil movie ‘ANNYAN’ directed by Mr. Shankar.

EDUCATION

DEGREE in Fashion Design & Information Technology.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT), Chennai. Ministry of textile, Government of India : 2002 - 2006

DEGREE in Science (BSc. Zoology), St. JOSEPH’S College, Devagiri, Calicut, India. : 1999 - 2002

Class 12th (Medical Stream), National Open School, New Delhi. : 1997 – 1999

COMPUTER PROFICIENCY

Software’s: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Poser, Flash, Director, 3D studio max, Adobe Premiere, Sound forge.

CAD: Lectra systems (Modaris), Fashion Studio (Design & repeat, easy weave).

AWARDS

“Best Design Collection award” of the final Graduate collection in NIFT’06.

“Best designer Award” for PRADHARSHINI’05 An Intercollegiate Cultural Fiesta Fashion Show, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai.

“Best Designer Award” for Indian Trade Fair Foundation Fashion Show in Cochin.

TRAINING & INTERNSHIP Duration:oct’05-Feb’06

Organization: The Colours of Nature, Auroville, Chennai, India

Delivered Results:

-Designed & Developed men’s & women’s wear Spring/Summer’05 collections for the Company.

-Developed different techniques of Tie & Dye, Shibori and Batik techniques, printing, and contemporary Embroideries.

Craft Documentation programmed in Kerala, The project was about Masks and costume of “KATHAKALI” “The Sounds of the Goddess” and their Traditional Costume.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Excellent time management and leadership skills to achieve time bound goals strong sourcing and negotiation skills.

Expertly workloads, calendars, and employees and met rigorous deadlines.

Efficient planning and consumer purchasing instincts.

Creative hand in design interpretation.

Successful portrayal of ideas through a wide range of media including, sketching, technical drawing, rendering, computer generated images, along with written and spoken presentations.

REFERENCES

References are available upon request.

Comprehensive Portfolio is available upon request

Contact this candidate