LEONA GIDDINGS
LOS ANGELES,CA
Summary
Versatile and ambitious senior technical designer with over 20 years of experience with leading national and international brands. Offers innovative fit, fabrication, and construction solutions for a wide range of premium and moderate garment categories such as woven or knit tops, bottoms , dresses, lingerie, sweaters, active, denim, and outerwear for men or women.
I have a proven history of successful collaboration with clients, brand managers and executives to deliver seasonal lines. At the heart of everything I do lies commitment to innovation, and integrity. I believe in the power of creativity to spark meaningful connections and drive results.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Technical Designer
FAM Brands
08.2022 - Current
- Maintained fit consistency across all brand items.
- Worked closely with designers, production staff and merchandising team members.
- Attended fittings, documented comments for changes and sent final corrections to vendors.
- Conducted comprehensive user research to inform design decisions, leading to more intuitive products.
- Piloted the adoption of emerging technologies such as Browzwear and Clo3D, enabling early access to cutting-edge advancements that provided a competitive edge in the market landscape. The company as since expressed interest in adopting Browzwear 3D design in the next year.
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
Senior Technical Designer
Kellwood
12.2021 - 08.2022
- Managed all aspects of technical development and production for our number 1 women's brand client, Kohl's.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance on best practices and fostering professional development within the team.
- Conducted comprehensive user research to inform design decisions, leading to more intuitive products.
- Optimized development processes by implementing spec databases, streamlining communication between cross-functional teams.
Senior Technical Designer
G/FORE
03.2019 - 10.2021
- Managed technical aspects for all premium lifestyle garment categories including woven and knit tops, woven and knit bottoms, dresses, sweaters, active, and technical outerwear for men and women
- Led efforts to modernize the technical design department by on-boarding to 3D design program, Browzwear
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
- Mentored junior tech designers, providing guidance on best practices and fostering professional development within the team.
Senior Technical Designer
INSTACO
09.2017 - 02.2019
- Managed technical aspects for all contemporary garment categories including woven and knit tops, woven and knit bottoms, dresses, sweaters, active, denim and outerwear for women
- Established online size guides, and grade rules for all categories including woven and knit tops and bottoms, dresses, sweaters, active, denim and outerwear
- Traveled to china to work directly with the vendor to expedite production fitting and development
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
- Mentored junior tech designers, providing guidance on fit correction methods
- Developed a robust onboarding process for new hires, significantly reducing ramp-up time and fostering a culture of collaboration from day one.
Technical Designer
CLOTHING ILLUSTRATED DBA LOVE STITCH
12.2016 - 09.2017
- Managed technical aspects and maintained fit consistency across all styles for contemporary woven and knit tops, dresses, and sweaters for women
- Attended fittings, documented comments for changes and sent final corrections to vendors.
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
- Prepared specifications for prototypes and communicated with suppliers about fabrics.
- Worked with in-house pattern makers and sewers to provide development tech packs to overseas suppliers
- Led successful prototyping efforts, validating design concepts and identifying areas for improvement prior to full-scale production.
Technical Designer
SECRET CHARM
11.2015 - 11.2016
- Followed entire style life-cycle from development to production for women’s woven and knit tops and dresses for private label customers such and Kohl’s, Bon-Ton, Maurice’s, Macy’s and Target, and Ross
- Maintained fit consistency across all brand items.
- Implemented effective communication strategies between engineering and design teams, resulting in higher quality end products.
Technical Designer
KELLWOOD
11.2013 - 10.2015
- Managed categories for women’s and girl’s woven and knit tops, dresses, and bottoms for private label customers such as Target, JC Penny, The Buckle, Vanity, and Justice
- Trained in Target PLM online platform and followed Target company standards and guidelines for the successful completion of technical design
- Worked closely with the production department to ensure calendar deadlines are met and WIP reports are maintained
- Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to align technical designs with customer needs, driving product success in the market.
- Spearheaded process improvements that reduced errors in technical drawings, minimizing delays in manufacturing stages.
- Accomplished Target Vendor of the year 2 years in a row.
Technical Designer
JEM & AWAKE COUTURE
09.2010 - 08.2013
- Lead technical design for all women’s jrs., plus size, and kid’s categories including knit top’s and bottoms, woven tops and dresses
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
- Streamlined design processes for improved efficiency and increased productivity, utilizing advanced software tools such as Optitex
- Prepared specifications for prototypes and communicated with suppliers about fabrics.
- Maintained fit consistency across all brand items.
- Participated in client meetings to gather feedback on proposed designs, making adjustments as needed based on their input.
- Worked closely with designers, production staff and merchandising team members.
- Attended fittings, documented comments for changes and sent final corrections to vendors.
Technical Designer
TOPSON DOWNS
10.2009 - 08.2010
- Attended fittings and sent detailed comments thru excel and illustrator to overseas suppliers for all women's categories
- Worked with in-house pattern makers and sewers to provide development technical packages to overseas suppliers
- Maintained a variety of private label grade rules to ensure brand integrity and drive business
Assistant Designer
FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD
09.2007 - 12.2008
- Created development tech packs including Illustrator technical drawings, measurements and construction callout's
- Teamed on development of inspiration boards, sample material collections, and color selection for upcoming product design.
- Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail while refining designs based on client specifications and requirements.
- Identified new design concepts for potential use in future projects.
- Developed strong relationships with external vendors, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products at competitive prices.
- Conducted fittings and adjusted designs to produce comfortable and appealing final products for clients.
Assistant Tech Designer
FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD
08.2006 - 09.2007
- Attended fittings and sent detailed fit evaluation reports using excel and illustrator to overseas suppliers
- Maintained grading standards for all intimates categories
- Implemented fit solutions for intimate categories including bras, underwear, lingerie, sleepwear and costumes.
Technical Designer
AMERICAN APPAREL
10.2004 - 04.2006
- Worked with in-house pattern makers and sewers to provide development technical packages for in house domestic, vertical development
- Attended fittings, documented comments for changes and sent final corrections to vendors.
- Elevated and established the product tech pack with improved illustrator drawings and accurate construction
- Led fittings for all categories for Men's and Women's from proto to T.O.P
Education
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
Los Angeles, CAAA in Fashion Design and Merchandising -
The Art Institute
Los Angeles, CASkills
- Pattern proficiency
- 3D design using Clo3d or Browzwear
- Team Leadership Qualities
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Technical drawing mastery
- Sewing
- Adobe Illustrator
Certification
3D design, Browzwear University, Fall 2021, Present
Timeline
Senior Technical Designer
FAM Brands
08.2022 - Current
Senior Technical Designer
Kellwood
12.2021 - 08.2022
Senior Technical Designer
G/FORE
03.2019 - 10.2021
Senior Technical Designer
INSTACO
09.2017 - 02.2019
Technical Designer
CLOTHING ILLUSTRATED DBA LOVE STITCH
12.2016 - 09.2017
Technical Designer
SECRET CHARM
11.2015 - 11.2016
Technical Designer
KELLWOOD
11.2013 - 10.2015
Technical Designer
JEM & AWAKE COUTURE
09.2010 - 08.2013
Technical Designer
TOPSON DOWNS
10.2009 - 08.2010
Assistant Designer
FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD
09.2007 - 12.2008
Assistant Tech Designer
FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD
08.2006 - 09.2007
Technical Designer
AMERICAN APPAREL
10.2004 - 04.2006
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
AA in Fashion Design and Merchandising -
The Art Institute
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