Donna Lilley
Mokena,IL
Summary
I have enjoyed 25 years in the Fashion Industry and 9 years in the Advertising/Media Industry prior, working with the most Creative and most Practical professionals at all levels on a global scale. I feel there is an Art to Fit and Manufacturing that is equal to the direct Creation of an apparel Design. The "Fit" itself often creates the "Fashion", engineering the silhouette and comfort into the garment. I am passionate about creating fashion experiences that enhance, simplify, and empower not only Customers but also those involved in the creation and manufacturing process. The Fashion Industry is complex and diverse, bringing thousands of people together in an end-to-end production process that is cooperative and enriching.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Caregiver and Health Advocate
Lilley Family
04.2014 - 01.2024
- Collaborated and Coordinated Care for my Mother with Healthcare Professionals and Family members
- After moving back to Illinois in 2014, my Mother's health deteriorated quickly, and she required full-time attention.
Senior Technical Designer
Limited Brands / Mast Global Technical Services, Victoria's Secret Production
10.2008 - 04.2014
- Collaborated closely with all Cross-functional Partners to design, develop, and implement strategies to leverage Team's cumulative talents, streamlining critical business operations resulting in delivering Customer-centric superior quality product to market in a cost-effective manner
- Created New Pattern Blocks for Woven Flannel Pajamas, Sleep Shorts, Flannel Sleep pants, Jersey Knit SS and LS Tees, and SS and LS Jersey Knit Sleepshirts for my first Fall Season, resulting with Retail Sales which far exceeded sales for Victoria's Secret Signature Bras
- Cross-functional Partners included - Technical Design Teams - Domestic (New York, Ohio) and International (Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, South Korea); Level of Partnerships - VP, Director, Managerial, and Support - Design, Technical Design, Pattern Design, Grading, Apparel Vendors, Buyers, Merchandisers, Sourcing, Product Development, Research Development, Textile Development, and assorted International Mills
- Individually responsible for Fit Approvals for approximately 68 - 97 Styles per season (5 seasons per year) - Proto Intent through Fit Approval, conducting Live-model Fittings (Domestic and via Web for international)
- Fittings included Designers, Buyers, Senior Design and Technical Design Managers and Directors, and as needed, International Technical Design (TD) Teams and Overseas Vendors
- Launched multiple VS Signature Glamour Panties - new development fabrics and trims
- In addition to Line Assignment activities, I supervised Direct Reports (2-3 throughout tenure), Lead/Coordinated Corporate and Global Technical Design (TD) Projects and Initiatives, Traveled with Design/TD/Product Development teams during Proto Season Overseas Trips, Participated in Fit-Model analysis, and auditions; held Weekly/ Biweekly conference/zoom calls with Overseas TD Teams for seamless coordination of style approvals and other Projects.
- Grading Project: Create, analyze, and update Sleep and Panty Grading in FLEXPLM system, collaborating with Global TD Teams and domestic IT.
- Blocks Project: Create and Coordinate Launches of New Pattern Blocks and Standard Measurement Blocks for Design, Cost analysis, and Vendors to streamline development.
- Standards Project - Size Conversion: Created and collaborated on Missy/Petite/Women's Conversion standards.
- Fabric/Trim Stretch conversion Project: Created and collaborated on Stretch Conversion Chart to standardize comfort parameters when developing new fabric/trims and assign garment specifications.
- Lead the Global coordination and launch of the Corporate Fit Manual Update with Domestic and Global TD teams.
- Created an easy-access Fit Document/ Format for Proto/Intent/Fit Approval to improve efficiency and standardize processes.
- Created a New Sport Yoga Pant Block to align with New Textile development.
- Wear Testing - Launch Bras and Panties: Participated and traveled to conduct Wear Testing Fitting and follow-up analysis.
- New Global Fit-Forms: Invited to work on Task Force to create new Missy Small and Large mannequins, collaborating with TD Director, Manager, Head NY Design Seamstress, and Manufacturer.
- Lead review of New Fit-Forms with Design Management and Global TD Teams to Launch their use with Internal teams and Apparel Vendors.
- Lead Master Class in Fit and Balance training for Domestic TD Associates using live model and Fit-Form - sharing for Casual/Glamour Sleep, Knits and Wovens.
- Shared Method to analyze Fit by laying a Garment on a Table with NY and Ohio TD teams and Inspection teams to assist in "first glance" analysis.
- Developed TD Talent: Mentor and manage Direct Reports, NYC TD - career and line development; Mid and Yearly reviews, advise on hindsight, and update goals; empower with Fit/Analytics sharing for Sleep, Panty, Shapewear, and Sport.
- International Travel: Support Designers on Development Trips and Travel for TD Projects/Block Launching (multiple countries)
- Domestic Travel: Ohio Quality Control, Buyers and Buying Directors/VP's meetings, Distribution and Calendar analysis for launch planning of Product and Projects.
- SIZE CATEGORIES: Missy, Petite, Womens
- PRODUCT CATEGORIES: Sleepwear Knits/Wovens - Casual/ Provocative/ Glamour, Cotton/ Fashion Panties, Slippers; Supervised VS Sport, Shapewear and Casual Sleepwear Associates
Senior Technical Designer, Private Label Brands
Sears Holding Corporation
08.1993 - 09.2008
- Collaborated closely with all Cross-functional Partners to create the Final Design, the Fit, Construction, Fabric finishes/washes and Graphic/Embroidery design applications utilizing customer-focused solutions
- Cross-functional Partners included - Technical Design Teams - Domestic (Illinois, New York) and International (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, India); Level of Partnerships - Director, Managerial, and Support - Design, Technical Design, Apparel Vendors, Buyers, Merchandisers, Sourcing and Product Development, Lab Technical teams, and Manufacturing Production teams
- Individually responsible for Fit Approvals for approx 98 - 120 Styles per season (4 seasons per year) - Proto Development, Presentation for Costing through Fit Approval, conducting Live-model Fittings and creating Technical Design Specification packages to include Sketches, Construction Sketches, and Grading
- Detailed fit reports organized to include Pattern analysis, Construction/component analysis with Sketches
- Fittings included Designers, Buyers, Senior Design and TD Managers, Sourcing and Product Development, and Vendors, as needed
- Sears Private Label Brands Launched: Canyon River Blues, Crossroads, Apostrophe, Covington, Laura Scott, Executive Collections (Suits), Structure, and Craftsman
- Executive Collections was Sear's 1st Private Label Apparel Brand which I developed with the Buyer/Designer
- In addition to Line Assignment activities, I supervised Direct Reports (2 throughout tenure) and Lead/Coordinated various Technical Design Projects.
- Grading Project: Partnered with TD Manager to analyze Grading/ Tolerances to update in IT System for Size Ranges: Womens, Womens Plus, Young Mens, and Mature Mens across all Product categories.
- Invited to lead Project to solve a need to have "at a glance" Style end-to-end progress in each Line. Web PDM did not have this ability at the time. Partnered with IT Team to complete this project.
- Created a Standardized Fit Report format to improve TD results - it was adopted as a guideline for the department.
- Created a Standardized International Fit Report and Process method for ease of communication cross-functionally and with Vendors and TD Teams when One TD Associate travels to complete Final Fit Approvals for entire TD Department. This format and process were implemented as a guideline globally.
- Created Blocks and Specification Charts for easy access cross-functionally in Development process.
- Created Construction Standard Sketches for Denims, Suits (Missy/ Young Mens), Outerwear and Workwear, Sweaters, Robes, Seaming choices, Plaid / Directional Print matching. These were used by Buyers, Sourcing, and Development cross-functional partners to streamline the Process and give accurate Costing analysis up-front.
- Partnered with TD Department to create TD internal Classes to improve Skill level of the team. Created a class on Bottoms/ Shorts Pattern development that focused on Proportion and Balance.
- Mentored and Managed Direct Reports - career and line development, Mid and Yearly reviews, advise on hindsight, and update goals.
- International Travel - Singapore and South Korea: Facilitate Season Finish Fit Approvals for TD Department, across all Brands, Size Categories, and Product Types.
- International Travel - Mexico: Factory Inspection with Senior Sears Expert and Facilitate production inspection for Denim Jeans as part of Sear's private label Launch of Canyon River Blues brand.
- Domestic Travel - NYC: Proto Presentations in NY with IL and NY TD teams and cross-functional partners. Created new styles or made adjustments to existing Protos while in NY. Other NY Travel to coordinate line development with NY TD to enhance and empower.
- SIZE CATEGORIES: Juniors, Missy, Petite, Womens, Womens Plus, Young Mens, Mature Mens, Childrens (Protos for Childrens only)
- PRODUCT CATEGORIES: Denim, Wovens, Knits, Sport Active, Suits, Dresses, Eveningwear, Outerwear, Sweaters, Swim, Lounge, Intimates and Sleep, Panty, Hosiery
Senior Design Assistant, RTW Apparel
Arlee M
09.1991 - 08.1993
- Collaborate with Head Designer, First Production patterns, Grading, Pant Fit analysis, Research market trends, Assist in Fabric and Trim selection, Costing analysis, Produce Color Boards, Create proto samples
- Conducted market research to understand trends and customer preferences.
- SIZE CATEGORIES: Missy, Petite, Womens
- PRODUCT CATEGORIES: Casual and Dressy Knits and Wovens, Stretch Leather
Budget Coordinator, Advertising Agency
BBDO, Inc. / West Coast
02.1984 - 03.1989
- Client Services Budget Tracking and Forecasting, Quarterly Presentations to Agency and Clients in Los Angeles and in Cupertino, CA
- Assigned Apple Computers account in San Francisco BBDO office and moved to Los Angeles when the account was moved to that BBDO office.
- Monitored and reported budgetary discrepancies to corporate senior management to maximize reporting efficiency and finalized spending Advertising plans.
- Main Client Launch: Apple Computers, Inc.
Education
Associate of Arts - Fashion Merchandising And Design
- Honors: Valedictorian Candidate with Highest Honors Degree; Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity member, Mensa candidate
- Dean's List : All Semesters/Years
- Awarded: IZOD Design Award, C.O.D. Art Award
- 4.0 GPA
- Ranked in Top 1% of class
- Professional Development: Internship with Local Fashion Designer
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Arts
- Dean's List: All Semesters
- 3.68 GPA
- Ranked in Top 25% of class
- Minor: Psychology
Skills
- Fit analysis and its relation to Flat Patterns
- Experience with multiple garment types and their construction - Underwear to Outerwear
- Experience with Multiple Size ranges - Missy, Petite, Womens, Juniors, Young Mens, Mature Mens, and Children
- Specialized training in Japanese Flat Patternmaking with Simon Tam of Spiegel (ratio and pattern fit balance)
- Creating and Analyzing Grading
- Costing and End-to-End Calendar analysis
- Fiber and Textile knowledge and Lab Report analysis
- Understanding garment form and function (muscle, movement, body mass distribution)
- Communicating/Sharing hands-on techniques with an analytical perspective and customer-centric focus
Special Apparel Expertise
- Fit Analysis
- Japanese Flat Pattern
- Draping
- Tailoring
- Grading
- Construction
Technology Expertise
- Flex PLM
- Web PDM
- Adobe Illustrator
- Gerber
- Lectra Gallery
- Kaleido CAD
- Karat Systems
- Microdynamics
- Microsoft Excel/Word/PowerPoint presentation
References
References furnished upon request
Hobbies: Water/Beach Sports, History, Archeology, Astronomy, Vedic Astrology, Watercolor Painting
I love the Ocean (all of them) and all Water Sports. Hoping to learn to Surf within the next 5 years (...a personal goal).
I love learning new things about Ancient History and Archeology - what it teaches us about our Foundation. Also, discovering Hidden History to unearth truths and see Trends and Patterns over time. I enjoy taking the "mystery" out of things to discover truths.
I have had fun exploring Vedic Astrology and Astronomy over the past few years and find it fascinating and how it relates to the study of Psychology.
I have always loved Painting, especially with Watercolors. The quickness and the in-the-moment creative outlet is lovely.
Timeline
Caregiver and Health Advocate - Lilley Family
04.2014 - 01.2024
Senior Technical Designer - Limited Brands / Mast Global Technical Services, Victoria's Secret Production
10.2008 - 04.2014
Senior Technical Designer, Private Label Brands - Sears Holding Corporation
08.1993 - 09.2008
Senior Design Assistant, RTW Apparel - Arlee M
09.1991 - 08.1993
Budget Coordinator, Advertising Agency - BBDO, Inc. / West Coast
02.1984 - 03.1989
College of DuPage - Associate of Arts, Fashion Merchandising And Design
Marquette University - Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts