Cullen McPherson
Boston,MA
Summary
Apparel design and product development professional with 6+ years of experience across leading brands, including American Eagle, TJX, Madewell, Ralph Lauren, and Steve Madden. Skilled in translating market trends, consumer insights, sales data, and material innovations into compelling products that balance creative vision, performance, and functionality. Brings expertise in concept development, CAD design, technical packages, fittings, and cross-functional product execution. Experienced in delivering innovative, consumer-driven products aligned with brand identity and business objectives. Passionate about the intersection of fashion, footwear, performance, and sportstyle.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DESIGNER - MEN'S DESIGN
TJX Companies
Framingham, Massachusetts
02.2026 - Current
- Execute end-to-end apparel development, including CAD sketches, technical packages, fabric and trim development, sample reviews, fittings, and design approvals to ensure accurate product execution.
- Conduct competitive market research to identify emerging trends, innovative materials, and functional design details, translating insights into compelling presentations and actionable assortment recommendations for buyers and cross-functional teams.
- Collaborate with packaging teams to develop consumer-facing messaging that communicates product features, functional benefits, and intended use.
- Partner with merchandising and production teams to review sales performance, identify reorder opportunities, and recommend assortment expansions that build on successful products.
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER - MEN'S FLEECE, ACTIVE, SPORTSTYLE
American Eagle
New York, NY
08.2022 - 05.2025
- Designed and developed seasonal collections across men's fleece, activewear, and sportstyle, translating market trends, consumer insights, and brand direction into innovative, commercially relevant apparel.
- Researched emerging trends, performance materials, and technical innovations to inform seasonal concepts, fabric and trim development, and innovative design solutions that integrate performance, functionality, and modern aesthetics.
- Created comprehensive technical packages, including CAD sketches, construction specifications, bills of materials, fabrications, and trims, ensuring accurate communication of design intent and product execution.
- Led fit and prototype reviews, collaborating with Technical Design, Fabric R&D, Production, and overseas vendors to refine garment construction, functionality, quality, and cost throughout the development process.
- Identified opportunities to expand the men's sportstyle assortment through trend-driven designs that bridge performance and lifestyle, contributing to 9% YoY fleece sales growth (Spring 2023) and 55%+ margins with a 6% YoY increase in average unit retail (Spring 2024).
FREELANCE ASSISTANT DESIGNER - MEN'S DENIM
Madewell
New York, NY
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Supported seasonal design and product development across denim, woven tops, bottoms, swimwear, and outerwear, translating creative concepts into technically accurate product specifications.
- Developed CAD sketches, technical packages, fabric and trim specifications, and construction details to support sampling, vendor communication, and development milestones.
- Researched emerging fabric innovations, wash techniques, and market trends to inform seasonal product development.
FREELANCE ASSISTANT DESIGNER - WOMEN'S & GIRLS PFS
Ralph Lauren
New York, NY
07.2021 - 10.2021
- Supported seasonal design development across Women's and Girls' PFS and RLX Golf, creating CAD sketches, concept boards, and line sheets to communicate design direction.
- Developed and maintained technical packages in PLM, including construction callouts, bills of materials, and artwork specifications, ensuring accurate communication with product development teams.
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER - MADDEN GIRL
Steve Madden/Almost Famous
New York, NY
09.2020 - 06.2021
- Designed seasonal collections across knitwear, sweaters, activewear, and cut-and-sew categories, incorporating trend research, consumer insights, and brand direction.
- Created CAD sketches, technical packages, and design presentations to support product development, cross-functional reviews, and seasonal launch timelines.
ASSISTANT DESIGNER - TAILORED CLOTHING
Tailored Brands Inc.
NEW YORK, NY
12.2019 - 08.2020
- Supported tailored apparel development through CAD sketches, technical packages, fabric specifications, and seasonal line sheet management.
- Managed fabric libraries and material archives, maintaining accurate records to support sourcing, design development, and vendor collaboration.
Education
B.S. - Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, And Design; Business Minor
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
SOUTH KINGSTON, RI05-2017
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign & Lightroom
- PLM: Bamboo Rose & BeProduct
- WGSN
- Raspberry AI
- Microsoft Office: Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook
- Google Workspace
- Product Development: Tech Packs, BOMs, CAD sketching, PLM, Fit Sessions, Costing, Quality Standards, Fabric Development, Lab Dips & Strikeoff Approvals
- Trend & Market Research
- Vendor Management,
Timeline
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DESIGNER - MEN'S DESIGN
TJX Companies
02.2026 - Current
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER - MEN'S FLEECE, ACTIVE, SPORTSTYLE
American Eagle
08.2022 - 05.2025
FREELANCE ASSISTANT DESIGNER - MEN'S DENIM
Madewell
11.2021 - 03.2022
FREELANCE ASSISTANT DESIGNER - WOMEN'S & GIRLS PFS
Ralph Lauren
07.2021 - 10.2021
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER - MADDEN GIRL
Steve Madden/Almost Famous
09.2020 - 06.2021
ASSISTANT DESIGNER - TAILORED CLOTHING
Tailored Brands Inc.
12.2019 - 08.2020
B.S. - Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, And Design; Business Minor
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND