Christian Arkins: Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant in BROOKLYN, NY
Christian Arkins
Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant
BROOKLYN | United States
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Summary
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Work experience
Kinross
Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant | 05/2016 - Current
• Direct & execute all aspects of creative, brand, design, merchandising, marketing for mens division.
• Strong 100% divisional growth in 1 season.
• Developed comprehensive vision for mens division; concept, product & marketing strategies.
• Hands on design & development, and photoshoot execution.
• Partner closely with commercial team & owners on all aspects of brand, product & business.
• Re-branding, photoshoots, labeling, marketing creative- Kinross womenswear.
Multiple Organizations
Executive Consultant; Creative/Design, Brand/Marketing | 03/2016 - Current
I have been consulting for years now for multiple organizations, I am focused on creative and design, brand evolution, creative marketing and all social media + digital marketing.
McGregor
Creative Director | 01/2010 - 07/2016
Direct all aspects of creative, brand, design, creative marketing/VM for all divisions, accessories,
and footwear for men's, women's & kids; includes 21 By McGregor.
• Head of Design; 3 Design Director direct reports + teams.
• Developed a new brand strategy; heritage based, includes creation/launch of 21 By McGregor + new
retail store concepts for mens, womens & 21 By McGregor, includes trade show stands.
• Created thorough & detailed presentation of "Brand Filters"; applied to whole brand to keep vision
clear & consistent; includes new branding/labeling.
• Worked closely with digital team for new online experience, responsible for photography/video & creative content.
• Deliver frequent, international brand presentations.
• Introduced critical women's re-branding initiative; new design team + "brand filters".
MEXX
Women's Creative Director | 03/2009 - 01/2010
Directed all women's creative for product, visual merchandising, and marketing, including online
brand experience & all brand photography.
• Worked closely with CEO & Executive Team as a turn-around executive to re-position the brand
strategically and restructure operations, resulting ultimately in a successful company sale.
Women's Collection
Propr, Head Designer | 01/2008 - 03/2009
Responsible for full cycle introduction of a new better-contemporary brand from design to concept
to final presentation.
• Worked directly with Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Laura Dern, and Ben Harper.
• Directed all product development functions, including manufacturing and sourcing, and built
partnerships/operations from scratch on an extremely aggressive timetable.
• Delivered the collection successfully - sold to Barneys, Fred Segal, Intermix, Scoop, and other top-
tier target customers.
William & Augusta
Creative Director/President | 01/2007 - 03/2009
• Conceptualized, branded, and operationalized a new women's designer/luxury label.
• Developed all product, marketing, PR, website, sales, and pricing strategies.
• Led a cross-functional team of 8 FTE through the brand launch, including fashion shows with all
major retailers/press/celebs in attendance.
• Directed and coordinated all patternmaking, fabric/trim development, fittings, and sample/production development.
• Initiated and maintained strong relationships with all vendors and partners.
• Directed a full team including design, PR, sales, finance/legal & branding.
• Successfully launched product at premium retailers (eg. Harvey Nichols, Takashimaya, Bergdorf's)
Bobby Jones
Men's Design Director | 03/2007 - 01/2008
• Managed the men's product teams.
• Responsible for all design, merchandising, product development, production, pricing, and sourcing.
• Led high-level product and marketing strategies/initiatives in Luxury Golf Market.
• Presented product vision to large cross-functional and executive audiences.
Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
Head Design & Creative Director | 07/2002 - 02/2007
Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
Senior Designer | 03/2003 - 05/2005
Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
Designer | 07/2002 - 03/2003
• Built the Original Penguin business from $0 - $80 million in revenue in less than 5 years.
• Functioned as company Creative Director plus Head of Design for all aspects of design for 5 labels,
plus national roll-out of Penguin's retail stores.
• Managed separate men's, women's, graphic design, and tech design teams.
• Work closely with Perry Ellis CEO on strategic planning for all aspects of Original Penguin brand.
• Drove all brand photography direction & execution, including online, lookbook, and campaign.
• Merchandised every collection side by side with company President.
• Introduced various new product lines and a licensee business that scaled revenue rapidly.
• Travel the world frequently for inspirational and manufacturing requirements.
• Began as a Designer in 2002 and promoted twice up to Design & Creative Director by 2005.
• Awarded 2004 Perry Ellis Designer of The Year, 2005/06 winners both members of my design team.
RRL/Polo by Ralph Lauren
Freelance Designer | 09/1998 - 10/2000
• Focused on knitwear, wovens, and denim.
• Moodboards, vintage shopping, seasonal concept (styles, color & artworks).
• Very technical/fitting, wash/development intensive.
• Presented to senior executives, including Ralph and Jerry Lauren.
• Was back at RRL after JCrew, & continued to help Ralph/RRL with side projects through 2004.
Speedo International
Design/Marketing Consultant | 06/1998 - 08/1998
Performed market research and designed 2 collections for a full collection launch of a new
worldwide beach concept.
• Traveled globally (UK, Europe, Middle East, and East Asia) for R&D of concept.
• Presented regularly to Speedo International President and upper management teams.
Education history
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
A.A. in Apparel Manufacturing Management and Fashion Design
Muhlenberg College
B.A.
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