M. Vickie Armstrong: in San Diego, CA

Design and develop image and look for startup ladies apparel brand. Work with local suppliers to achieve product goals. Create product size scale and develop grade rules for new brand.

Freelance Designer for SNOGA Athletics, active apparel for a modest client. New style sketching and development. Create detailed technical sketches and initial tech packs outlining construction and design details. Make all design, construction and fit comments for new styles and issue graded specs. Developed starting specs and created grade rules for the brand.

Responsible with merchandiser for forecasting color and styling trends each season. Directed design staff work flow in creating all new product, print and solid, ladies and mens for the in house lines and private label customers while fostering a positive and collaborative team effort. Generated all initial costing and redeveloped styles within targets to improve margins. Followed closely T&A calendars to keep on time for all process of production. Troubleshooted any daily issues or production concerns for top management. Traveled 3-4 times yearly to Asia manufacturers on new development, approvals, in-line sewing review.

Worked directly for VP of production on sourcing and production of all products for in-house and private label accounts. Managed team of coordinators on production work flow and follow through on Time and Action calendar to keep design staff on target for all bench mark approval dates to stay on time for deliveries. Daily communication with all overseas makers. Developed and implemented production guideline protocol and procedure manual with the Director of Imports. Enforced Social Compliance requirements. Traveled overseas 3-4 times per year on factory evaluation, in-line sewing, initial inspections.

Responsible for all creative designs through production on all private label programs including forecasting trends and colors, fabric selection, garment sketching, print and embroidery development. Created initial tech packs and sat in on all fittings to oversee fit, construction and design details. Directed design team on timely approval processes. Built seasonal calendar for style development and production cycles.

Created presentation boards, sketched new body styles, and cads. Designed original embroideries, screen-prints, hang tags and main label development. Daily correspondence with all overseas makers on lab dip, strike-off, embroidery approvals.

Reviewed strike-offs, lab dips, and trims submits. Daily communication with domestic factories. Researched and shopped trim and fabric markets. Setup and conducted all fit sessions and generated all comments. Created seasonal line plans. Created cads on new Lectra Cad System.