Julie Besso
New York,NY
Summary
With over 26 years of experience spanning women's denim and sportswear, I bring a deep understanding of fit, wash development, trend forecasting, and design innovation. A lifelong denim enthusiast and hands-on creative leader, I'm passionate about crafting exceptional product from concept through production, guiding every stage from fabric and wash direction to final execution.
Recognized for driving creativity and collaboration, I've built and led teams that consistently deliver forward-thinking, market-leading results. I thrive in environments where craftsmanship, innovation, and thoughtful design come together to define what's next.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Design Director of Denim
Laura Ashley
06.2025 - Current
- I lead the women's denim division at Laura Ashley, overseeing all denim categories.
- I drive the full product lifecycle from initial concept and seasonal direction through wash development and final production, ensuring each collection reflects both brand heritage and modern market relevance.
- I manage all fabric sourcing, wash development, and conduct all fit sessions, delivering exceptional fit, quality, and commercially successful product across the line.
Sr. Design Director
Jag Jeans
09.2019 - 09.2024
- Responsible for initial concept and color palette, to final production of the line each season
- Managed the denim rebranding and new design aesthetic launched in Fall 2020
- Updated all fits and added key trend blocks to be more competitive with the market
- Developed fabrics exclusively for JAG with multiple premium mills like Cone denim for fabric exclusives
- Partnered with Artistic Mills for fully vertical production
- Developed departmental objectives, budgets, calendar, procedures, and strategies
- Collaborate with the leadership team to establish organizational goals, strategic plans and objectives
- Travel to major denim shows, factories, mills, and vintage markets around the world
- Revamped team structure, streamlined the design process and improved the calendar
DESIGN DIRECTOR, DENIM AND WOVENS
Garage
01.2016 - 08.2019
- Managed the denim rebranding and design aesthetic relaunched for Fall 2018
- Updated all fits and added key trend blocks to be more competitive with the market
- Worked directly with BPD washhouse in NJ developing all wash standards and formulas
- Traveled to major denim fabric shows and shopped vintage markets around the world
- Collaborated with marketing teams to develop engaging campaigns that effectively communicated company messaging
- Managed 8 designers across Men's and Women's design teams for retail, wholesale and plus
DESIGN DIRECTOR OF DENIM
Lucky Brand
02.2013 - 09.2015
- Managed a team of 6 designers across Men's, Women's, Wholesale, Retail, and Outlet
- Introduced Premium Italian, Japanese, and USA fabrics to the denim assortment
- Responsible each season for the concept, color, fabric and branding
- Worked with all leading Premium denim mills and local LA laundries as well as in Asia and Mexico
- Under my leadership, the denim department saw huge growth and doubled in department depth
- Traveled extensively to major global cities for research and key fabric shows
SENIOR DESIGNER OF DENIM AND WOVENS
Loft
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Under my leadership, the denim department saw huge growth and tripled in department depth
- Worked directly with BPD washhouse in New Jersey, developing all wash standards and formulas for the factories to follow
- Managed a team of 3 designers
- Traveled to fabric shows twice a year in Amsterdam and London for research and key fabric shows
- Traveled 4 times a year to Asia, working directly with our factories
- Worked with premium fabric mills, selecting key qualities for the season
- Sketching, creating theme boards and attending fittings
DESIGNER WOVENS
Calvin Klein
03.2004 - 01.2009
- Designed all outerwear, woven shirts, bottoms and tailored suiting for Men's White Label Outlet
- Launched Men's White Label wholesale line for all woven and tailoring
- Traveled 4 times a year to Asia, working directly with our factories
- Worked with premium fabric mills, selecting key qualities for the season
- Sketching, creating theme boards and attending fittings
- Traveled to key fabric fairs in New York, Milan, and Paris for Denim and Woven
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER OF DENIM
Armani Exchange
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Helped develop, design and sketch Men's denim reporting into the Senior Designer of Denim
- Worked directly with the Giorgio Armani in Milan for all fit, fabric and sketch development
- Traveled to key fabric shows in Paris and Milan for inspiration and shopping
Education
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS - FASHION DESIGN
Parsons School of Design
New York05.2000
Skills
- Wash development
- Trend analysis
- Product design
- Design leadership
- Visual storytelling
- Attention to detail
Timeline
Design Director of Denim
Laura Ashley
06.2025 - Current
Sr. Design Director
Jag Jeans
09.2019 - 09.2024
DESIGN DIRECTOR, DENIM AND WOVENS
Garage
01.2016 - 08.2019
DESIGN DIRECTOR OF DENIM
Lucky Brand
02.2013 - 09.2015
SENIOR DESIGNER OF DENIM AND WOVENS
Loft
01.2010 - 01.2013
DESIGNER WOVENS
Calvin Klein
03.2004 - 01.2009
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER OF DENIM
Armani Exchange
01.2000 - 01.2004
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS - FASHION DESIGN
Parsons School of Design