Fashion Designer

Fashion & Apparel

Oversaw development of men's clothing line and women's sweaters; preserved brand integrity by analyzing the latest fashion trends; aligned divisional design objectives with market demand; participated in design meetings and fittings; researched fabrics; developed designs using Illustrator and Photoshop. Ensured timely sample procurement with the sales team. Coordinated with overseas factories to develop imports; created tech packs; drove vendor compliance with Time and Action (TNA) calendars.

• Increased wholesale and retail buys following takeover of product lifecycle management for knitwear and sweaters; ensured high-quality, customer-centric product development.
• Currently streamlining the fittings scheduling process by implementing an Excel-based signup list; improving schedule transparency and accessibility; creating spreadsheet; acquired director's approval for department-wide implementation.
• Consistently met deadlines for design and pre-production tasks by rigorously collaborating with teammates; prioritized tasks based on deadlines; optimized team productivity by leading interns and outsourcing tasks, such as printing and graphic artwork.
• Orchestrated photo shoots by organizing sets, ensuring sample availability, dressing models, and capturing desired angles.
• Contributed towards ensuring high team productivity in the design room by systematically maintaining a fabric archive; consolidated reference fabric samples into the same area to ease access.

Ensured optimal clothing production quality at this outerwear company by coordinating sample development in collaboration with domestic and offshore vendors; meticulously verified sample against tech pack specifications; examined stitching details; identified and escalated mistakes; followed up with vendors on sample delivery status; attended fittings. Swiftly troubleshot sample development problems, such as material unavailability; collaborated with a team of 5.

• Eased navigation of the spec sheet archive by proactively organizing files within the Product Data Management (PDM) system; organized spec sheets based on chronology, styles, and clothing divisions. Verified tech packs and factory-made garments.
• Independently mastered the complex PDM system to seamlessly create comprehensive 15-20-page tech packs.
• Facilitated the development of customer-centric designs for future collections by leveraging customer feedback.
• Drove on-time product development by closely tracking design and pre-production processes, including fitting, strike-off, and artwork approvals; directed sample line creation; contributed towards product lifecycle management.

Merchandise Manager | Product Developer

Managed trim area in the design room; oversaw trim development for designers; tracked development of clothing lines by attending design and production meetings.  Troubleshot issues, such as fabric delivery delays and sewing mistakes. Prepared board presentations for market shows by utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

• Ensured timely development of showroom sales samples by swiftly sourcing all required trims from domestic and offshore vendors; researched optimal vendor; coordinated with vendors to develop accurate trims, such as beaded and appliqué designs.

Product Development Supervisor

Oversaw technical design by developing spec sheets, ensuring color accuracy, assessing print strike-offs, and executing prints; tracked samples used in sales, photoshoots, pre-production, and lab dip testing. Managed customer, supplier, and overseas vendor relationships. Built comprehensive expertise in creating fully fashioned sweaters.

• Upheld company reputation and prevented a major product recall for key customers such as Talbot and J. Jill, by identifying and correcting a design discrepancy; visited Asian garment factories to perform random quality inspections.
• Handpicked to design sweaters in recognition of exceptional product design skills and knitwear expertise.
• Ensured product compliance with quality standards and deadlines by regularly coordinating with private label customers and Asian suppliers; leveraged expertise in men and women's sweaters, knitwear, yarns, stitched, gauges, and specs.
• Built relationships with retailers and expanded network within the fashion industry by attending trade shows, such as Project; prepared company booth at the trade shows; managed transport of clothing lines back to the corporate office.

Associate Merchandiser (Private Label Product Development)

Find out detailed information about GILBERTO ARIAS, Fashion Designer in South Pasadena, CA

GILBERTO ARIAS: Fashion Designer in South Pasadena, CA

GILBERTO ARIAS

Los Angeles Trade Technical College