Lauren O'Brien
Foxboro,Ma.
Summary
I have over twenty years of experience in material development, product development and sourcing for sporting goods, apparel, performance footwear, swimwear, and lingerie. Throughout this time, I have driven successful material innovations to global markets collaborating with diverse teams. I have a strong knowledge of technical aspects of textile and material development, validation, and design aesthetics.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager Advanced Creation Materials Performance Footwear and Inline Apparel
Reebok
01.2022 - Current
- Lead material development for Performance Footwear and Men’s and Women’s Inline Apparel by leveraging extensive global material supplier network.
- Responsible for new material assortments presented to design and leadership in line with seasonal creative direction to senior design and operation leads.
- Collaborate with Surface and Product Designers to execute design intent in textiles & synthetics for seasonal footwear uppers.
- Consistently improved costs, and optimized speed by consolidating core material toolbox which resulted in approximately 1M for SS25.
- Accomplished material sustainability goals by providing sustainable technologies in textiles, dyeing and manufacturing related to footwear & apparel material production.
- Lead validation of marketing teams product claims through designating material level performance testing and evaluating results.
Senior Manager Advanced Creation Materials Apparel Innovation
Reebok
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Lead material development, testing, concept validation and apparel technology pillars for Reebok Apparel Innovation team.
- Built pipeline of validated material innovations each season by providing commercial material innovation stories that can be assorted horizontally across Business Units
- Partner with product development and internal and third party performance testing labs to validate material technologies via tabletop and wear testing
- Work directly with fiber & yarn suppliers, material suppliers and garment factories to create materials and prototype garments that are the basis of seasonal brand story telling
- Own upfront cost negotiations and development lead-times with fiber, material, and chemical suppliers
- Apply consumer and athlete insights to material innovation concepts and developments
- Travel regularly to relevant global trade shows and material suppliers and present findings to brand leaders.
Director, Raw Materials Bra Launch and Core
Victoria’s Secret Design
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Support EVP and Bra Launch Designers with seasonal offering of dynamic, relevant materials, which are sourced and developed globally.
- Collaborate with Product development teams and global cross-functional teams to move product concepts to retail.
- Oversee all foam pad and trim development from conception to market.
- Evaluate internal wear test and in store test results and direct necessary material revisions.
- Successfully maintain merchant-driven margin through sourcing and continuous negotiation with suppliers.
- Drive company speed initiatives by designating appropriate material suppliers allocation.
- Manage direct reports including Senior Bra Launch Raw Material Designer and seasonal interns.
- Leverage long standing positive relationships with suppliers to achieve ideal development speed and cost.
- Travel domestically and internationally on a regular basis.
Senior Raw Materials Research Designer
Victoria’s Secret Design
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Research fashion trend by tracking ready-to-wear shows, trend books, fashion editorials and competitive shopping.
- Apply trend research and present fashion concept boards to merchant, color and concept and design teams at each season.
- Develop materials for product in line with target margin.
- Actualize designers concepts by developing or sourcing woven fabrics, knits, embroideries and trims appropriate for intended product category and end use.
Senior Textile Technologist, Launch
Victoria’s Secret Production
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Liaise with garment designers to troubleshoot and solve technical fabric issues.
- Travel to fabric mills globally as needed to oversee and approve first production lots.
- Order sample yardage for factory prototype garments, marketing samples, concept test garments and cutting trials.
- Facilitate testing of print trials and work closely with QA and design to solve for testing issues.
Technical Fabric Manager, Victoria’s Secret Stores Division
Mast Industries
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Manage production raw materials originating in the Western Hemisphere and Europe.
- Interface with Mast global partners on garment factory production issues.
- Manage development and track all secondary-sourced fabrics initiated by VSS.
- Approve colors on site and in house for Western Hemisphere and European raw materials.
Product Manager, Jockey Active Wear
Jacques Moret
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Support Design team by developing product from concept to commercialization.
- Source raw materials and production contractors globally.
- Prepare and negotiate finished garment costing.
- Coordinate seasonal color samples for sales team.
- Coordinate and report on material and garment testing for major retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.
Education
Warp Knit Fabric Analysis -
Karl Meyer Academy
Obertshausen, Germany01.2011
BS Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design -
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI01.1998
Skills
- Microsoft 360
- Adobe Suite
- Qualified to check color under Munsell 100 Hue Test
- Proficient in Flex PLM & PDM Systems
Press
- Runners World – best sports bra for Cross Training 11/26/21, https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/gear/clothes/a775937/16-best-running-sports-bras/
- Time Magazine- 100 Best Inventions 2021, https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2021/6115496/reebok-thermowarm-graphene/
- Time Magazine- 100 Best Inventions 2018, https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/5454398/reebok-puremove/
Philanthropy
Chairman NY Rider Registration: Pelotonia, 2014, Led NY rider registration effort for L Brands which resulted in over $1.1 million raised for the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State.
Reebok Woman's Network Community Pillar: Health and Wellness lead and Panel Moderator.
Timeline
Senior Manager Advanced Creation Materials Performance Footwear and Inline Apparel
Reebok
01.2022 - Current
Senior Manager Advanced Creation Materials Apparel Innovation
Reebok
01.2016 - 01.2022
Director, Raw Materials Bra Launch and Core
Victoria’s Secret Design
01.2011 - 01.2016
Senior Raw Materials Research Designer
Victoria’s Secret Design
01.2005 - 01.2011
Senior Textile Technologist, Launch
Victoria’s Secret Production
01.2002 - 01.2005
Technical Fabric Manager, Victoria’s Secret Stores Division
Mast Industries
01.2001 - 01.2002
Product Manager, Jockey Active Wear
Jacques Moret
01.1999 - 01.2001
Warp Knit Fabric Analysis -
Karl Meyer Academy
BS Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design -
University of Rhode Island