Product Development Supply Chain

Julia Káldy

**********@*****.*** +1-929-***-**** LinkedIn Portfolio

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplished Vice President of Design & Product Development with 15+ years of experience in footwear and accessories, specializing in high-end and commercial design. Proven expertise in driving revenue growth, expanding international supply chains, and leading eco-friendly innovations with sustainable materials. Empathetic and results-driven leader, dedicated to maintaining high quality execution, fostering strategic partnerships, and elevating brand presence.

● Created innovative designs that drove product development and cultivated retailer partnerships, generating

$650M+ in revenue

● Fostered new business opportunities with premium retailers Nordstrom, Dillard’s, and REI

● Led development of eco-friendly footwear line, reducing carbon footprint

● Founder and creative director at JULIAKALDY. Designed luxury unisex footwear and handbags showcased at European fashion weeks and featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W Magazine, and Vogue SKILLS

● Leadership & Management: Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Supply Chain Management

● Core Competencies: Trend Analysis, Consumer Behavior, Brand Positioning, Strategic Planning, Brand Vision, Product Line Management, Materials Innovation, Manufacturing Processes

● Technical Skills: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Gravity Sketch, Procreate, Microsoft Excel, PLM

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Vida Shoes International New York, NY

VP of Design & Product Development 2022–2024

● Led a team of 5-12, consistently achieving goals and KPIs by driving collaboration and delivering exceptional product outcomes while maximizing efficiency

● Hired and nurtured top design talent providing mentorship, growth opportunities, and meaningful design responsibilities, that empowered the team to reach their full potential, while fostering a collaborative environment that strengthened the brand's identity and creative impact

● Cultivated strategic new partnerships with premium retailers including Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Dillard's, generating over $650 million in revenue through seasonal product presentations

● Partnered with regional sales, marketing, and logistics teams to adapt offerings for diverse and existing markets.. Attended and contributed to critical buyer meetings, in partnership with sales team, facilitating cross- functional collaboration to align on market-specific needs, strengthening retailer partnerships, and ensuring the seamless integration of tailored collections into global retail landscapes

● Designed relevant and on-trend products for both commercial markets and curated independent retailers which led to an expanded customer base while retaining core consumers

● Created new design direction for multiple brands by aligning brand identity with each brand’s unique vision, mission, and aesthetic

● Oversaw multiple product development teams and agents, collaborating with 20+ members across Asia. Led the commercialization of 100+ products annually, ensuring high-quality production and strict adherence to milestones by fostering strong relationships with manufacturing partners, factories, and suppliers, and addressing challenges to uphold exceptional standards of craftsmanship and efficiency

● Crafted and executed a comprehensive brand strategy, integrating product design, market positioning, and consumer insights through cross-functional collaboration driving sales and increasing brand awareness

● Optimized the supply chain by diversifying sourcing across China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Vietnam, achieving faster production timelines, enhanced product quality, reduced costs, and increased supply chain resilience

● Introduced environmentally friendly innovation by integrating sustainable materials and relocating production closer to retailers, reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Enhanced the supply chain by establishing relationships with certified eco-conscious vendors, ensuring responsible sourcing and production practices Sr. Director of Design and Development, Jambu, JBU, JSport Brands 2018–2022

● Directed all phases of the design process, from concept to final production, driving annual revenue growth of $60 million

● Led the evolution of core product design and development, securing new business by tailoring constructions to meet individual retailers' specific needs and price points

● Spearheaded the launch of an athleisure line for the Jambu/JBU/JSport outdoor lifestyle brand, incorporating bio-based and recycled materials, while driving brand extensions to establish new business opportunities with innovative product offerings.

● Developed fresh designs that enabled Vida to enter new retailers at various price points, resulting in product placements at Nordstrom, REI, and Dillard's

● Managed international product development across Asia, Europe, and the USA, ensuring efficient delivery and cost-effective solutions while streamlining workflows to support teams locally and overseas

● Secured a reliable and advanced network of vendors to maintain a diverse and effective supply chain, regularly attending international sourcing events such as Linea Pelle (Milan), MICAM, Première Vision (Paris), NE/NW Material Show, Outdoor Retailer, Atlanta Shoe Show, and MAGIC Shoe Show (Las Vegas) Sr. Footwear Designer, Jambu, JBU, JSport Brands 2015–2018

● Drove the brand's cohesive creative vision from concept to production by designing innovative collections that strengthened brand identity and maintained a competitive edge, resulting in a unified and market-leading product portfolio

● Researched emerging trends and created trend boards to guide development, ensuring innovative designs while keeping costs on target for market-relevant collections

● Oversaw prototype corrections and fit tests, ensuring accuracy and quality, which enabled on-time delivery for markets and trade shows, supporting successful product launches JULIAKALDY Footwear & Accessories Budapest, Hungary Founder / Creative Director 2010–2015

● Built the JULIAKALDY brand from the ground up, crafting a complex creative vision through luxury unisex footwear and handbags showcased at major fashion weeks in London, Paris, and Milan, elevating brand visibility and establishing a strong high-fashion identity

● Secured $70K in investments by presenting the brand's vision and a strategic 5-10 year growth plan, enabling the production of eight footwear and accessory collections distributed globally, expanding market reach and brand impact

● Pioneered a direct-to-consumer business model, with products sold at designer concept stores across Europe and Asia, generating over $125K in revenue

● Directed the creative vision of JULIAKALDY footwear collections, collaborating with renowned designers, artists, and stylists, gaining organic media attention with features in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W Magazine, BET, and television shows like The Conan O’Brien Show and Rip the Runway, while showcasing designs in exhibitions and fashion weeks across Europe and the USA

● Facilitated manufacturing in Italy, ensuring exceptional product quality, and successfully distributed collections across Europe, enhancing the brand's reputation and market reach

● Pioneered the integration of 3D printing with traditional shoe making techniques, blending innovation withcraftsmanship to create unique, sustainable designs.

● Inspiring future generations of designers by sharing expertise through mentorship, collaboration, and thought leadership, fostering creativity, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable practices within the design community

EDUCATION

Master of Footwear and Accessories Design

Moholy-Nagy University of Art & Design

Master of Industrial Design

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture Design and Conservation BA of Scenography, Costume and Set Design

Hungarian University of Fine Arts

EXHIBITIONS & PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

● 2021 Museu do Calçado Shoe Museum, Solo Exhibition — Madeira, Portugal

● 2017 SHOETOPIA, Collective Exhibition — Detroit, USA

● 2014 Vienna Design Week, Selected Artist — Vienna, Austria

● 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Featured Designer, Budapest

● 2013 Central European Fashion Week, Resort Collection Presentation — Budapest, Hungary

● 2013 MoBA Mode Biënnale Fetishism in Fashion Exhibition, Selected Artist, RotterdaM

● 2012 Milan Fashion Week, Fall/Winter Collection Presentation — Milan, Italy

● 2011 London Fashion Week, Collaborative Runway Show — London, UK

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