important part of a vital company and industry.
EDUCATION: Kent State University’s SHANNON RODGERS AND JERRY SILVERMAN’S
SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING Major: Fashion Design
DESIGN SKILLS: Designed and developed special occasion clothes and costumes for clients
Researched trends and created various boards for detailed fashion presentations
Assessed client’s needs, wants, purpose and function of product during consultation
Strong illustration by hand, using various media, or computer to communicate concept
Created flats and working sketches to design specifications
Collected fabrics, notions foundations, and accessories to fit design
Built muslin prototypes to test design for accuracy, cost and time considerations
Sensitive to color, style, taste, and time
Checked fit against client’s body, recorded and executed any and all changes
Inspected all garments in production for quality assurance
Attentive to client throughout production to consider comfort, taste, function, style
PATTERNMAKING AND
CONSTRUCTION SKILLS: Adept at draping patterns from dress forms or client body
Constructed garments using most effective, efficient methods ensuring quality
Solved fit problems through alterations
Proofed and cut garments to client need and design specification
Formulated design variations using cut and slash methods
Executed layout, cut and assembly of garments
Exercised fabric care methods including pressing and scheduling dry cleaning time
LEADERSHIP/
MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Evaluated all products to ensure quality, attention to detail
Marketed business through client word-of-mouth and self promotion
Successfully applied social marketing techniques thereby increasing business
Analyzed client satisfaction through follow-up phone conversations
Acquired new clients by canvassing neighborhoods and offer free samples
Managed, maintained, followed marketing plan, and budgeted a small business
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Experienced with U4ia CAD
Utilized Microsoft Office Software, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Created promotions using Publisher and Power Point
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WORK HISTORY: T. L. COUTURE, Cuyahoga Falls,OH 1993-2008
Designer, owner @ $25.00+ hr
Design, pattern and construct special occasion wear for clients, including costumes
Responsible for all design work, client consults, and designer assisted shopping
Instituted a strong personal customer service program from consultation to delivery
Careful selection of color, and quality fabrics
Assembled and ran Bridal show for a Bridal Showcase
Designer in Natatorium Bridal and Health convention
Speaker on fit and how to choose a gown in Bridal Seminars
VERA WANG LUXE: Akron, OH 2007
Assisted in creating patterns, assisted designer in creation of couture bridal gowns,
Communicated with vendors, inspected lace and embroidery, created tech packs pages
Assisted designer with color, inspiration boards, concept development, made length
Changes or alterations to patterns, created illustrations, some phone work, created
Swatch samples and organized fabrics, designed forms and worksheets for inventory
Fabric classification and patternmaking from illustration, first drafts and corrections
J MARCO CATALOG: Seville, OH 2006
Work with buyers on selected garments, evaluating and reviewing fit, heading fittings
Deal with international and domestic vendors, check and revise specs and grade specs
Check construction and detailing of garments, suggest improvements for fit, fabrication
Ensure quality of garments, use patternmaking and illustration and tech sketching
Lead presentations in Power Point, illustrated and submitted designs, researched trends in color, silhouettes, fabrics, created boards to display trend research.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY: Kent, OH
Cutter, stitcher, first hand to costume designer
Layout pattern, cut and stitch, attend fittings, alterations
Work as assistant to costume designer
DAVID’S BRIDAL, Canton, Oh
Held fittings, consulted clients on proper undergarments to ensure proper fit,
Performed construction and alterations as appropriate for each gown
DOREEN LEAF DESIGN, Hartville, Oh
Measured clients, held fittings, made alterations to garments, designed veils,
Performed customer service, worked with fine, special bridal fabrics and laces
COSTUME DESIGN, Kent, OH
Research, design and construction of costumes, fabric selection, alteration
Cut, assembled, proofed and fit designer’s first draft and readied it for production
Assistant Designer for several theater productions in Cleveland’ main theaters, ballet
Assisted Suzy Campbell in production of 3 “Slider Babies” 2005 (CLEVE. INDIANS)
Stitcher for Great Lakes Theater Festival
OTHER VARIOUS JOBS –
Due to economic downturns resulting in downsizing/layoffs, I took jobs outside of the
fashion industry to maintain some kind of income. While I have learned a lot, and have
worked to keep my specific skills, I really need to get back to where I belong.
There is no other industry like the fashion industry…it’s what I do.
