Manage print/embellishment, raw material strategy & wash development process from concept to pre-production.
Product categories: Knits/Dresses/Sleep/Gifting Apparel & Packaging/Licensed Products/Destination.

• Partnered with Merchants & Design leaders to understand roadmap, fabric needs and surface trend direction by season.
• Managed direct report, ensuring all calendar deliverables were met including sample yardage requests, strike off reviews, pre-production samples, costing, and timely, clear communication.
• Collaborated with Surface Design and licensing partners on developing Licensed (NFL/MLB/College sports) Apparel & Accessories development calendar aa well as outlined and implemented new product category/artwork approval process with Professional/College sports organizations.
• Traveled to on board and troubleshoot development / production issues and process / timeline improvements with Asia regional teams and various vendors.
• Managed all graphic and embellishment innovation for total brand to provide unified vision, elevate brand aesthetic and fit cost within retail matrix.
• Managed approval and maintained sample library of all approved surface treatments for the brand. In preparation for remote work, spearheaded transitioning this library to digital platform Box.com.
• Partnered with Design teams and mills to cut sample yardage orders by 50% to meet budgetary needs.
• Collaborated cross-functionally to thoughtfully develop and initiate designs with LDP targets in mind to facilitate affordable and bulk feasible samples.
• Initiated cost options cross-functionally at product inception and initial tech pack review to facilitate decision making at first sample review

Design Development Manager

Manages print/embellishment development from concept to pre-production sample ensuring execution, cost and quality meet brand expectations for Accessories and Swim categories.
Product Categories: Knits/Accessories/Swim/Sleep
Accessories Categories: Bags, Luggage, Tech accessories, Water Bottles, Footwear, Socks, and Bedding

• Developed and initiated repeatable and streamlined processes to facilitate new product category development in Accessories while ensuring sample delivery & approval within established speed Apparel calendar.
• Partnered directly with vendors in various Accessories subcategories - to uncover opportunities for development process, new product categories and cost improvement.



• Specialized experience in printing on knits, wovens, plastic, TPU, EVA and metal, as well as embellishment and molding techniques.
• Partnered with product development leadership to assess opportunities in speed-to-market initiatives
• Shopped market for innovative print/embellishment/molding techniques/product categories
• Managed and fostered development of product development assistant ensuring timely management of all deliverables while facilitating edification and career growth
• Approved all lab dips on various soft and hard goods substrates to ensure cross-category color matching

Sr Print & Pattern Product Development Coordinator

Managing product cycle from development through bulk production.
Product Categories: Women's Fleece / Men's Cut and Sew / Men's Graphic Tees

• Developed, negotiated costing and facilitated approval of all fabrics and trims
• Managed all tech pack inputs and artwork file distribution to vendors
• Negotiated costing of all aspects of each style and aligning to seasonal targets
• Managed TNA for production

Michelene Smith: in Union City, NJ

Michelene Smith

The Fashion Institute of Technology