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ERIN IRVING

 

Laguna Niguel, CA

 (347) 821-7833  

irving.erin@gmail.com

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A highly versatile senior womenswear design professional, Erin has worked for brands ranging from runway collections for small boutiques to price-conscious high volume markets. An organized multi tasker with exceptional attention to detail, Erin thrives in high-pressure environments, quickly adapting to change as necessary to meet deadlines and deliver results. She manages projects and collections from concept to completion, and is effective working both independently or collaboratively across all functional teams. Erin’s core specialties and experience includes:

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•  Trend Research & Forecasting                    •  Competitor Assessments                           •  Brand Identity Development    

•  Concept & Line Development                     •   Hand & Technical Flat Sketching              •  Tech Pack Development           •  Fit & Garment Construction                         •   Wovens / Denim                                         •  Fabric / Trim Development 

•  Wash Development                                      •   Sweaters                                                      •  Textile Print Management

•  Adobe PhotoShop & Illustrator                    •   Cut & Sew Knits                                            •  Apparel Manufacturing  

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WORK EXPERIENCE

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Designer - Rag Poets, Z Supply, Costa Mesa, CA: 2018 - 2020.  

Designed and developed the Rag Poets brand, a collection of predominately sweaters, as well as woven tops, bottoms, and dresses.  Established customers and built the business, growing the brand 66% in new accounts and 33% in sales growth from Spring 2018 - Spring 2020. 

 

  • Analyzed trends and shopped the market in stores, online, and developed trend predictions and   color forecasts. Shopped local retailers including downtown Los Angeles, as well as abroad in Hong Kong and Shanghai. 

  • Travelled to factories in China to source fabrics.  Met with yarn mills and sweater factories to   ensure efficient product development. 

  • Communicated daily with factories in India and China for product development.

  • Developed mood, color story, and concepts for each season with four collections per year, producing the salesman samples collection and approved all fabrics, fit and lab dips for production. 

  • Developed and new fabrics and trims with our Chinese and Indian factories. 

  • Oversaw all graphic design artwork, developing new stripes, plaids, and prints for  each season. 

  • Elevated the Rag Poets brand by creating new labels and hangtags.

  • Collaborated with the tech designer to conduct fittings to ensure the best fit and execution of all garments.  

  • Oversaw photoshoots to ensure garments were represented well, fit correctly, and followed on- brand concepts. 

  • Successfully led the Rag Poets brand with increased sales by 66% and accounts by 33% from Spring 2018 - Spring 2020.

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Sr. Designer, Chaiken Clothing, San Francisco, CA: 2010 – 2013.

Most senior design team representative responsible for conducting market research, designing, and developing product for three unique brands: one being a re-launch and full line expansion of a popular 90’s pants and jackets collection, and two new lines requiring initial brand concept, establishing target customer, product development, fittings, and launch of collections.

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  • Conducted market research and competitor assessment, utilizing retail shopping, trade publications and online resources.

  • Developed story boards and color palettes for each brand seasonally.

  • Supervised design team, coached and mentored category designers, directing their daily tasks and reviewed all designs to achieve desired design objectives.

  • Designed bottoms, jackets, knit and woven tops and dresses from initial concept through tech pack completion.

  • Led all design presentations to CEO and owner, participated in CAD reviews, handoffs to tech design team, and sales meetings, making meaningful contributions to business growth.

  • Directed all finish and wash development, and selected and sourced domestic and international fabrics for all three brands.

  • Sourced and developed all trims. Developed custom buttons, patches, shanks, rivets, and hangtags.

  • Selected seasonal prints, managing their execution, and approving all strike-offs.

  • Participated in all fit sessions to provide aesthetic and visual input and direction, and ensure the optimal fit and construction of the styles.

  • Regularly traveled, represented the company at fabric shows, as well as factory and fabric mill visits.

  • Collaborated with each department of the company to ensure that all departments were well informed including: CEO, Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, Sales, and Customer Service.

  • Led scheduled design team meetings to facilitate open communication, promote teamwork, and create a positive and productive work culture.

  • Liaised with HR to develop job descriptions for openings, conduct interviews and onboard new hires.

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Design Freelancer, Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco, CA: 2010.           

  • Developed women’s bottoms line from the initial concept to finished product through technical flat sketches, tech packs, fabric development, and fittings. 

  • Shopped the market, reviewed trend publications, and industry predictives for trend research.

  • Daily communications with various departments including: Merchandising, Production, Fabric & Finish Developer, and Sundries Developer. 

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Production Director, Cynthia Rowley, New York, NY: 2009 - 2010.

  • Orchestrated product development of runway collection, developing samples with fittings, tech packs, sourcing, and placing production orders.

  • Organized full tech packs for collection: technical flat sketches, specs, and construction details.

  • Conducted fittings to ensure consistent garment construction detail, quality control, and sizing accuracy relating to the customer.

  • Sourced all fabrics, trims, and specialty services domestically and internationally.  Fabrics include: knits, wovens, sweaters, and leathers.

  • Collaborated with patternmaker, cutting room, sewing room, and various specialized vendors for domestic production. 

  • Responsible for product shipping deadlines with keeping the calendar on schedule for all orders.

  • Corrected and established clear artwork for prints, followed by communications with both print houses and factories to get fabrics developed and printed accurately.

  • Implemented a production manual for labeling, packing, and shipping all products.

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Designer, Earl Jean - Designer License Holdings, New York, NY: 2007 - 2008.

  • Re-launched the Earl Jean brand in Fall 2007, receiving press coverage on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily.

  • Developed denim collection drawing inspiration from vintage designs, trend forecasting, and market research analysis of customer.

  • Sourced premium quality denim fabrics to create desired washes.

  • Sketched collection by hand and computer technical sketches.

  • Conducted daily dialogue with, and periodical travel to, domestic and overseas Asian factories for efficient development. 

  • Collaborated with the technical design team to develop line and create the best fitting jeans.

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Knits Designer, Shane Hunter, San Francisco, CA: 2004 - 2006.

  • Developed and executed concepts for knit line from sketch to finished sample.

  • Attributed to development for large volume programs for Target.

  • Attended monthly sales presentations at Target headquarters.

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EDUCATION

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The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, San Francisco, CA: 2003. 

Associate of Arts Degree, Professional Designation, Merchandise Product Development. 

  • Summa Cum Laude, 4.0 GPA

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Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX: 2002. 

Bachelors Degree Business Administration in Marketing. 

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