Hi, I’m
Cora-Elizabeth Harris
Director Of Design & Development
Greensboro,NC
I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.
John Cage
Summary
Experienced Director of Design & Development with a demonstrated history of bringing both Men's and Women's products across multiple categories to life. End-to-end knowledge of product development life-cycle from design concept to production. Success in building highly collaborative and productive cross functional and internal relationships. A proven leader with solid hands-on direction and mentoring of design and development teams.
Overview
19
years of professional experience
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Wrangler
Design Manager
07.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Spearhead the creation of 4 seasons a year, including woven tops, denim bottoms, and outerwear, which involves fabric, wash, and print and pattern development for 250 styles per season
- Established design and development calendar to encompass development through salesman samples and bulk fabric buys in conjunction with mt Asia counterparts.
- Created entirely sustainable jean for Spring 2021 collection, utilizing the newest innovation in wash, trim and fabric.
- Established new standards for sustainability by removing all virgin polyester in tops and bottoms starting Holiday 2020
- Increased Men's Western business 23% during 2020 and 27% 2021 with 2.7% GM year over year.
- Lead and mentor team of 4 designers and several freelance CAD designers to deliver superior product while adhering to calendar.
Director of Design & Product Development Structured Wovens
11.2018 - 07.2019
Job overview
- Responsible for designing and developing brand new category- Structured Woven's business for Stony Apparel, resulting in 1 million in sales the first three months. Key accounts: Wild Fable & Universal Threads - Target, Arizona - JC Penny's, Maurices.
- Establish strong relationship with factories and accounts to build time and action calendar that meets all parties needs.
- Negotiate directly with factories and mills to develop trend right product within price points that allow positive margin.
- Source fabrics and trims from open market, and re-develop with partner mills to achieve optimal price points.
- International and domestic travel as needed to visit accounts and factories
- 7 times a year to develop directly in factory in order to meet market timing and build strong relationships.
Universal Elite Trading
VP of Product Design & Development
10.2017 - 11.2018
Job overview
- Established initial concept and brand direction for 3 new apparel brands across different market segments.
- Managed all facets, pattern makers, designers, fit technician, and product developers.
- Responsible for brand managing and directing design and development team for 3 housewares categories...picture frames, hydration, and cookware
- Improved product development life-cycle process, including identifying potential issues, solutions for process challenges, driving new sourcing, costing and negotiations, innovation, data integrity, product quality, speed to market and social compliance
- Managed calendar milestones to drive and simplify decision-making. Milestones include: color & concept, sketch reviews, proto reviews, fittings, fabric buy dates, and delivery dates.
- International and domestic travel as needed to visit accounts and factories to maintain strong relationships..
- Managed team of 17, including US designers and product development team in China.
Dollhouse/BBC Apparel
Director of Design and Development
03.2015 - 10.2017
Job overview
- Creative direction of Dollhouse collection and specialty account sprivate label, from concept thru production, which involved range planning, fabric, trim, and wash development.
- Collaborate with sales to ensure product was merchandised effectively for each accounts needs.
- Responsible for driving innovation: working with fabric mills and factories to create new and inspiring wash development and innovative fabrics within the brands pricing structure
- Travel to China and work with factory on completing sample line, and approving production wash standards.
- Negotiated with vendors on availability, product specs, distribution, delivery deadlines and price.
- Managed pricing decisions to achieve competitive position and maintain margin goals.
- Managed and mentored team of 7, including designers and technical designers.
One Jeanswear Group
Senior Designer
08.2013 - 03.2015
Job overview
- Responsible for designing all bottoms for Jones of New York, (Macy's) Charter Club & JM, and several other private label accounts for each season
- Mange team of 5 designers and technical designers to ensure accurate product was developed and delivered on time for account meetings.
- Developed and approved new artwork and strike offs for each delivery.
- Incorporated design changes based on feedback from accounts.
Levi's
Senior Designer
10.2010 - 08.2013
Job overview
- Increase sales by 71% over LY by bringing updated styling and fabric to Signature brand.
- Create & manage best-in-class fit, fabric, and finish to deliver authentic, tangible consistent aesthetic direction for target consumer segment.
- Coordinated design process for multiple brands from concept sketches through final adoption.
- Work with fabric team and mills to develop new fabrics with specific price structure to bring newness to the brand.
White House Black Market
Sr Denim Designer/Freelance
05.2010 - 10.2010
Job overview
- Developed design deliverables that elevated, differentiated and functioned on-brand and on-strategy.
- Collaborated with merchants to align style consistency for the brand.
- Planned project concepts by researching and studying current trends and market research.
Director of Design & Development
Commonwealth
12.2008 - 05.2010
Job overview
- Establish creative direction of collection, from concept thru production, which involved range planning and fabric, trim, and finishing development.
- Successfully launched brand new Men's denim line, with line being pickup by Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's the first season.
- Conduct all fittings, communicating spec changes and corrections to production pattern maker in factory.
- Work directly with mills to develop new fabric to help achieve true vintage appearance during wash processes.
Lucky Brand and AG Jeans
Senior Designer
04.2007 - 12.2008
Job overview
- Develop relationships with manufacturers, vendors, sales reps, fabric and trim suppliers.
- Present ideas/concepts to buyers through use of presentation boards and sketches.
- Work with in house sample room and wash house to create proper development and prototype samples
- Set up development in Mexico for both design and wash development.
Mossimo Brnads, Target Corporation
Designer
03.2003 - 04.2007
Job overview
- Responsible for 5 divisions of denim design and development; Juniors, Missy-Contemporary, Women’s Plus, Girls, and Men’s
- Worked on multiple categories, structured woven's and knits within Moss Red and Moss Black labels
- Extensive travel to LA & China developing and setting new target standards for Mossimo Denim, seasonal concept development and sample execution.
- Present ideas/concept to merchants through use of presentation boards and sketches.
Education
College of St. CatherineSaint Paul, MN
Bachelor of Science from 2-D Art And Apparel Design & Development
09.2001 - 05.2004
Skills
Leadership and Team Buildingundefined
Timeline
Design Manager
Wrangler
07.2019 - Current
Director of Design & Product Development Structured Wovens
11.2018 - 07.2019
VP of Product Design & Development
Universal Elite Trading
10.2017 - 11.2018
Director of Design and Development
Dollhouse/BBC Apparel
03.2015 - 10.2017
Senior Designer
One Jeanswear Group
08.2013 - 03.2015
Senior Designer
Levi's
10.2010 - 08.2013
Sr Denim Designer/Freelance
White House Black Market
05.2010 - 10.2010
Director of Design & Development Commonwealth
12.2008 - 05.2010
Senior Designer
Lucky Brand and AG Jeans
04.2007 - 12.2008
Designer
Mossimo Brnads, Target Corporation
03.2003 - 04.2007
College of St. Catherine
Bachelor of Science from 2-D Art And Apparel Design & Development
09.2001 - 05.2004
Similar Profiles
ANSARI MOHTASHIMANSARI MOHTASHIM
Senior Sales Associate at WranglerSenior Sales Associate at Wrangler
.jpeg&q=70 "DEJIN KOTHERI KUNNUMMEL")
DEJIN KOTHERI KUNNUMMELDEJIN KOTHERI KUNNUMMEL
Store Assistant at WRANGLERStore Assistant at WRANGLER
Raymond C. Bush IIRaymond C. Bush II
Shift Manager at Toledo Assembly North - Jeep Wrangler (Stellantis)Shift Manager at Toledo Assembly North - Jeep Wrangler (Stellantis)