Senior Certificate in Graphic Design & Business English

Fashion

Designer - Outdoor Clothing Department

Creative & Design

A driven and solutions-oriented Senior Clothing and Graphic Designer with ten years' experience in the Retail Clothing Sector in South Africa, Kegan Micheal Wilkinson advances specialized knowledge of graphic design, team leadership and commercial insight in all areas of the graphic design production process.
Currently working with the K-way design team at cape union mart, He has also worked as the Head Designer at Mr. Price's Apparel Division, Kegan's career track record guarantees consistent year-on-year revenue growth and gross profit performance for the companies he works at. Servicing premium clients in the South African market, Kegan leads cross-functional teams in both the creative process and client management to cultivate solid working relationships and design solutions. He successfully aligns art direction and delivery with brand strategy ensuring executive-level professionalism in all projects completed.
Offering sector expertise, extensive design application and communication talent, Kegan is an asset to an established organization within the UK territory.

KEY CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Cape Union Mart International (Pty) Ltd.   K-way:

•  Was Tasked to redesign the Lifestyle customer. I touched on every aspect of how our customer was, re-developed trims and labels, re-looked at our handwriting for Tshirt design by leading graphic designer in the new vision for the branded tees by leading her design flow and giving examples of work and fine-tuning her work to achieve the desired look, then presented to the Department director and got sign off

Mr. Price Group Ltd   Mr. Price Apparel:

•  Delivered a 17% YOY increase in revenue performance and a 56% GP growth for the Red brand, and an 11% YOY increase and a 7% GP growth for the Red X brand by developing a better end-product in quality compared to value and design in order to capture a greater market share [2015 to Date]
•  Red voted one of South Africa's Most Loved Brands in The Nielsen Total Audience Report [2016]

Oh Two Clothing (Pty) Ltd:

•  Spearheaded the Design Team to successfully grow the Inhouse label contracts for Bad Boy, Gotcha, Lost, Koki, le Coq, Joe Blikzem and Land Rover Clothing South Africa.

Period of work	June 2018 to Date

Company Overview;
•  A  family-run, corporate business within the Retail Sector delivering apparel, homeware and outdoor wear instore and online targeting customers in the mid- to upper-LSM categories throughout Africa.

Core Overview;
•  Responsible for ensuring garments align with brand direction for both categories to drive growth and performance in turnover and market share within the CUM structure.
•  Men's, Ladies and Kids (LifeStyle): OTB plan of R335-mil
•  Men's, Ladies and Kids (Fleece): OTB plan of R335-mil
•  Categories Managed: Denim   Woven Shirts and Shorts   Fleece and SoftShell Active Tops and Bottoms   Jackets Woven and Nylons   Polos   Swim Shorts (Elasticated and Fixed).

Duties & Responsibilities;
•  Reports directly to Team Leader.
•  Directs the Buying Team on current trend and collaborates with the Buyer to deliver strategic high-level decision-making on garment direction.
•  Oversees the full design process from conception to end-product for a variety of projects.
•  Generates design solutions that maintain brand consistency throughout.
•  Liaises with internal and external suppliers and factories to ensure product is in line with Design Briefs
•  Approval and sign off of samples.
•  Fosters strong relationships with a wide range of top clients.
•  Works closely with the Garment technologists to ensure spec and fits are correct across product
•  Trim design and approvals.
•  Trend forecast using WGSN and comp-shopping.
•  Present Range developments to buyers, Team leaders and department directors.
•  Remains current with industry changes, developments and tools, boosting upskilling and knowledge sharing across the team.

Period of work	January 2015 to June 2018

Company Overview;
•  A JSE listed corporate within the Retail Sector delivering apparel, homeware and sportswear instore and online targeting younger customers in the mid- to upper-LSM categories throughout Africa and Australia.

Core Overview;
•  Responsible for ensuring graphics align with brand direction of two brands, leading the Graphics Team of five staff to drive growth and performance in turnover and market share within the MRP structure.
•  Men's Red Brand (Life Style): OTB plan of R500-mil / AUS$53-mil.
•  Men's Red X Brand (Sportswear): OTB plan of R124-mil / AUS$129-mil.
•  Categories Managed: Denim   T-Shirts   Singlets, Tank and Vests   Woven Shirts and Shorts   Fleece Active Tops and Bottoms   Jackets Woven and Nylons   Polos   Swim Shorts (Elasticated and Fixed).

Duties & Responsibilities;
•  Reports directly to Buying and Planning Managers.
•  Directs the Buying Division and collaborates with the Buyer to deliver strategic high-level decision-making on art direction.
•  Oversees the full design process from conception to end-product for a variety of projects.
•  Supervises and coaches the Graphics Team to ensure consistent productivity and performance that meets project time, quality and budget requirements.
•  Generates design solutions that maintain brand consistency throughout.
•  Liaises with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all parties are regularly updated on project progress and arising delays / variances.
•  Fosters strong relationships with a wide range of top clients.
•  Remains current with industry changes, developments and tools, boosting upskilling and knowledge sharing across the team.

Head Designer - Clothing Department

Company Overview;
•  A leading full-service manufacturer for and accredited supplier to various Men's and Ladies Wear stores within the Retail and Promotional Clothing Sector in South Africa.

Core Overview;
•  Coordinated and assisted with the management of public relations, events planning, and campaign creation.

Duties & Responsibilities;
•  Reporting directly to House Merchandise Manager and CEO.
•  Managed daily activities of the Design Team comprising three staff to align with the brand's broader objectives.
•  Forecasted all fashion trends for respective brands.
•  Worked with a strong team of Fabric and Trim Specialists, Merchandisers, CMT Floor and Inhouse Screen Printing and Embroidery Departments from project conception to finished product.

Head Designer - Inhouse & Brands

Find out detailed information about Kegan Wilkinson, Designer - Outdoor Clothing Department in Cape town, WC

Kegan Wilkinson: Designer - Outdoor Clothing Department in Cape town, WC

Kegan Wilkinson

Durban Central Technical College