Design Director Customer Accounts
Resume:
Work Experience
Lauren Finelli
******.*******@*****.***
HAWTHORNE, NY, 10532
EDUCATION
Fashion Institute of Technology
State University of New York
BFA in Accessories Design, 2008
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
• Footwear sewing and
patternmaking.
• Knowledge of footwear
components.
• Global/domestic sourcing
of materials.
• Ability to sketch by hand.
us design patent
USD847502S1
Binding Bag
Senior Kids Footwear Designer
STEVE MADDEN KIDS, February 2022- July 2024
• Sr Footwear Designer working within the Steve Madden kids branded footwear team.
• Apart of 30-40 mill business, working in a fast paced environment.
• Supports the design director and team on all aspects of the design process.
• Renders footwear designs by hand then transfers sketches into CAD form.
• Creates detailed spec sheets that are sent to overseas agents for development.
• 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 customers.
• Researches major trends each season through comp shopping and online research etc.
• Works crossfuntionally with sales and production teams on daily tasks. ESO- Senior Kids Footwear Designer
NINE WEST KIDS, 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.
• Sold to all major footwear retailers (Macyʼs, Shoe Show, Shoe Dept., Kohlʼs, Marshalls, Von Maur etc.)
• Orders, organizes and manages footwear samples for each customer.
• Works closely with each customer on any special sample modification or requests to meet their liking.
• Personally presents the Nine West shoe line each season to customers during FFANY shows.
• Built collection from 0 to 5 mill, projections are 8 mill despite how the pandemic had impacted retail.
RAMPAGE GIRLS, SUGAR, FRENCH TOAST, July 2014-March 2019
• Girlʼs footwear designer responsible for the missy Rampage Girls, Sugar kids and French Toast girlʼs 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.
• Developed a sample report to improve efficiency and track workload resulting in better usability.
• 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 high season.
• Oversaw all aspects of private label kids design specifically for customers including Kmart, Sears and Kohlʼs, also assisted in designing 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 to maintain specific retailersʼ aesthetics.
• Consulted with fit team on any manufacturing or development issues to ensure fit.
• 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.
• Designed/Developed a “Hanging” Footwear line for Kohlʼs department storeʼs PL.
• Acted as a liaison between our customers and our factories to ensure order implemation/QC.
• Worked closely with sales team to develop CAD presentations and monitor sales trends. NINA- Footwear Designer
KIDS PRIVATE LABEL, JULY 2012-JULY 2014
OLIVIA MILLER INC.- Footwear Designer
WOMENʼS PRIVATE LABEL, JULY 2008-JULY 2012
Design Director
Sam Edelman Kids and SAM & LIBBY Kids, July 2024- Present
• Design director managing the Sam Edelman and Sam & Libby kids footwear lines.
• Works closely with the Sam Edelman womenʼs team on key trends and silouettes.
• Leads and mentors an associate footwear designer.
• Develops and implements comprehensive design strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Has grown the business up by 10% in sales since beginning.
• Works cross functionally with sales and production teams on daily items.
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