ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE
Throughout my career I have had the great fortune of working on incredibly dynamic projects with truly inspiring people, in various industries around the globe. All experiences are a source of inspiration for me to observe and learn from different cultures and people that help shape my ultimate intentions of high design with pioneering sustainability.
From start-ups to international corporations I can handle many aspects of every project as expectations are always high whether it is a team of 3 or 33. I rise to a challenge and can work quickly and within the parameters given to create something spectacular with my design team. I have a very strong work ethic and thrive under pressure. I believe in the power of working together and am looking forward to the next challenge and meeting my new team.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | ALIKEKIDS.COM
Founder and Creative Director of unisex, sustainable childrenswear line created to breakdown expected stereotypes for kids & for clothing production. Made in the USA with multifaceted sustainability ALIKE uses GOTS certified cotton with colorful digital prints.
• Continually research and implement best practices for sustainable production line from sourcing fabric to delivery to consumer.
• Design of all garments from start to finish including prints, patterns and fittings.
• Identity, web design, direction of photography and video.
• Successfully launched the first organic childrenswear line made in the USA.
• Achieved unprecedented sustainability by using non-toxic digital printing. Created repeat prints that waste less fabric, ensured factory sewers are fairly paid, used GOTS certified cotton. Garments traveled less than 20 miles total from US mill to printer to factory with no plastic packaging.
• Developed upcycled denim collection restyling denim headed for the landfill into one-of-a-kind small works of art.
Jan 2017 - Jan 2021
CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR |
DNACHIC.COM
Cutting-edge boutique and independent fashion voice in the Middle East founded by 1st Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, Princess Deena Abdulaziz.
• Oversaw front-end and back-end design and build out of dnachic.com, transitioning a 10 yr. old brick-and-mortar store located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to a global cutting edge e-commerce site. Managed 8 direct reports and 25 indirect.
• Directed merchanding department including photo shoots, product & marketing copy, merchandise rollout, social media calendars and tie-in with editorials based on analytics and seasonal trends for 350+ products.
• Led content creation for travel and lifestyle editorial section managing up to 8 writers/contributors and fostering their growth.
• Launched first independantly owned e-comm based in the middle east that effectively bridged the fashion cultural divide of East & West with regular users in 15+ countries.
May 2014 - Sept 2016
FREELANCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR |
GLOBAL CREATIVES NETWORK,
BY TOYOTA
The Global Creatives Network was the brainchild of the lead concept designer at Toyota Motor Company Japan and consisted of a selected group of international designers and artists chosen to inspire the future of Toyota. Collaborative spaces were established for creatives to work independently and toward the network goals.
• Designed concept vehicles, clothing inspired by the vehicles and showrooms they would reside in.
• Led sessions with US & Japanese engineers to incorporate the brand initiatives into the vehicles far beyond the surface.
• Managed budgets and timelines for projects locally in Chicago and abroad.
• Grew the initiative from a one time collaboration to a 4 year engagement with a
21% - 60% budget increase yearly.
August 2008 - July 2012
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | SERPICO
Founder/designer for namesake women's ready-to-wear brand sold in US, Europe and Middle East. Strong graphic lines, meticulously draped patterns, hand bead work and embellishment define the luxury clothing and accessories line.
• Designed 2-3 collections per year from draping and illustration to garment manufacturing for 20-30 items per collection.
• Sourced speciality fabrics from Italy & France working directly with mills for exclusive prints as well as creating prints in-house. Manipulated fabric surfaces with traditional and non-traditional techniques including stitching, beading, dying, etc.
• Designed and created full marketing for wholesale accounts each season for showrooms in NY and Milan including look books, newsletters, video, line sheets and accompanying web materials.
• Produced branding, website, look books, hang tags, marketing events and social media as well as directed, produced, styled photo shoots/videos for every collection.
• Oversaw manufacturing in Italy, China & US and managed relationships with buyers, showrooms and PR in US and abroad.
August 2006 - October 2011
MOTION GRAPHICS DESIGNER |
ABC 7 NEWS
Local affiliate stations of the American Broadcasting Company, news division.
• Designed daily news graphics and marketing/sales collateral packages within the strict branding guidelines.
• Live playback of graphics during for 30 min. & 60 min. live broadcasts.
January 2000 - June 2003
DESIGNER, BRAND BUILDING
STUDIO |
MARCHFIRST
International systems integrator and internet consulting company headquartered in Chicago. Clients: Walgreens, Shedd Aquarium, Ohio Telecomm
• Strategized and designed full package branding, marketing and websites.
• Managed quality and usability from start to finish including art-direction and user testing.
• Implemented brand strategies, brand handbooks internally and externally.
• As first year designer was chosen to direct all photo shoots for my accounts.
• Consistently delivered design and user testing on time and on budget.
February 2001 - March 2002
OTHER ENDEAVORS
COSTUME DEPARTMENT | Adventures in the Sin Bin, released 2012
Stylish coming-of-age full-length feature comedy.
• Supervised fittings for all actors in film including Jeff Garlin, Ben MacKenzie, Gillian Jacobs & Tim Blake Nelson. 45+ costumes with a staff of 3.
• Created unique key costume item, the puma sweater, that was knit, hand stitched and beaded.
INTERN | Nick Cave, Artist | 2004 - 2005
• Worked directly with artist hand stitching mixed media sculpture, sourcing and preparing surfaces.
PART-TIME PROFESSOR | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 2008
• Taught fashion sewing fundamentals class for postbaccalaureate students at SAIC.
RELOCATION PROJECT MANAGER, TIER 3 |
RELOCITY
Providing planning and execution of concierge-like, on-demand, personalized relocation services to corporate VIP employees relocating internationally and domestically to seamlessly restart their life in a new city.
• Work 1:1 with clients for months to identify client's specific needs, priorities, pressure points and preferences through zoom calls, in-person
meetings & tours to help them easily create a new life in a new city/country.
• Continually create and update best practices information documents and communication standards for clients based on user experience/research.
• Trusted with super VIP clients and nuture pilot programs for our partners including McDonald's, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Uber, Kraft/Heinz & Dyson
Oct 2021 - Present