Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Awards
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

MEGAN SMITH

New York

Summary

Dynamic Design Director with a proven track record that drives increases in profitability through innovative product development, and strategic brand initiatives. Expert in creative direction and cross-functional collaboration, I excel in product development and leveraging trend analysis to deliver compelling collections that resonate with consumers.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Design Director

Lily Apparel
New York
01.2018 - Current
  • Provided vision and creative direction for the development and execution of women's contemporary and juniors' sportswear lines by creating elevated, compelling, and brand-right products.
  • Designed multiple product categories, including outerwear, sweaters, cut-and-sew knits, wovens, and accessories.
  • Built relationships with cross-functional teams to maximize profitability by 40% through brand development, and created strategic programs for major retailer private label, multi-million dollar accounts.
  • Analyzed customer data and sales reports to elevate products and optimize assortment balance.
  • Streamlined all fit meetings to ensure garment construction, fabric engineering, print approval, fit, and specs are exceptional from proto to final production stages.
  • Traveled internationally to Shanghai, Korea, and Europe on a quarterly basis for trend inspiration, and to supervise overseas vendors and factories to ensure production accuracy and sample quality.
  • Communicated with overseas factories to source fabrics, trims, and to comment on or correct any product development issues.
  • Managed and mentored three designers and the technical design team while providing creative direction and inspiration for monthly collections.

Founder

Megan Renee
Los Angeles
10.2017 - Current
  • Established a sustainable fashion brand specializing in elevated womenswear.
  • Designed and launched two seasonal collections, driving consistent year-over-year online sales growth.
  • Built and managed a supply chain with ethical manufacturers in L.A. and New York.
  • Directed brand identity and social media strategy, increasing Instagram following for brand development.
  • Spearheaded all creative direction, resulting in an elevated brand presence and cohesive visual storytelling across platforms.
  • Obtained several collaborations with retailers such as Nordstrom and HSN/QVC, which resulted in sold-out collections.
  • Awarded competitive business grants totaling $100K, plus to support venture growth and development.

Senior Designer

Secret Charm
Los Angeles
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Designed and merchandised women's sportswear and junior contemporary monthly collections, and presented final assortments to buyers and sales teams.
  • Conducted market trend research and analyzed sales reports to stay attuned with industry trends and demands, resulting in achieving a multi-million dollar sales volume for key accounts.
  • Developed high-performing design teams and effective partnerships with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and flawless execution of monthly collections.
  • Created tech packs and technical sketches for overseas and domestic product development.
  • Oversaw private label accounts, and implemented strategies to expand merchandise and obtain new business opportunities.
  • Attended all fittings with the technical design team to ensure fit consistency and accuracy of the product.

Senior Designer

Kellwood - My Michelle
City of Industry
01.2012 - 01.2016
  • Managed and mentored four designers and the technical design team while providing creative direction and inspiration for monthly collections.
  • Implemented high standards for delivering unique, cohesive, and ahead-of-market-trend monthly collections as per the time and action calendar.
  • Achieved multi-million sales volume for private label accounts and major retailers by working in partnership with the sales team to develop programs that generated product and business expansion.
  • Initiated weekly comp shopping to evaluate overall market trends, and applied research to advance product assortment for collections.
  • Sourced and developed new fabrics and trims for monthly collections.
  • Consistently maintained a monthly budget for the design department that ensured maximum profitability for brands and accounts.
  • Collaborated with the graphic design team to create original artwork and print designs.

Designer

Manhattan Beachwear
Cypress
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Designed resort, sportswear, and activewear for seasonal collections and private label accounts.
  • Collaborated with the graphic design team to create original print and embroidery designs.
  • Worked in partnership with the Fabric Sourcing and Production team to source and develop new high-performance fabrics with domestic and overseas vendors.
  • Created line sheets for all products and seasonal collections, and provided the sales and production teams with relevant product information needed for costing.
  • Attend all fitting sessions to ensure that the product fit and construction are accurate according to the brand's aesthetic and vision.

Designer

Weavers/ Unger Fabrik
Los Angeles
01.2008 - 01.2011
  • Designed and merchandised women's sportswear and junior contemporary monthly collections, and presented final assortments to buyers and sales teams.
  • Collaborated with the graphic design team to create original artwork for screen printing and embroidery designs.
  • Managed two assistant designers and sewing room staff to ensure that monthly collections were executed according to the time and action calendar.
  • I traveled to New York to attend sales meetings and market appointments to merchandise and present product lines to buyers and private-label accounts.
  • Created and maintained line sheets for all products and seasonal collections, and provided the sales and production teams with relevant product information needed for costing.

Education

MBA - Marketing

Ashford University
Clinton, IA
01.2010

BS - Apparel Design and Textiles

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
01.2004

Skills

  • Creative Direction
  • Product development
  • Technical sketching
  • Trend analysis
  • Fabric sourcing
  • Market research
  • Brand strategy
  • Supply chain management
  • Visual merchandising
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Team building
  • Creative direction
  • Effective communication
  • Customer relationship management
  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Color theory
  • Visual storytelling
  • Art direction
  • Photo shoot direction
  • Team supervision and oversight
  • Print design
  • Design research
  • Illustration
  • Company branding
  • Patternmaking
  • Material selection
  • Patterning skills
  • CAD drafting
  • Sampling
  • Fashion trends
  • Creative and artistic
  • Concept development
  • Multi-tasking
  • Time Management
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Leadership & Team Management
  • Trend Concept Research
  • Merchandising
  • Brand Development
  • Fabric Sourcing
  • Garment Construction
  • Tech Packs
  • Print & Color Direction
  • Art & Print Development

Websites

Awards

  • Mastercard Small Business Grant Recipient, 2021
  • Resonance Sustainable Fashion Designer Grant Recipient, 2020
  • WWD- Designer Mention, 2020
  • British Vogue -Designer Feature, 2018

Accomplishments

  • Mastercard Small Business Initiative Grant Award
  • Tommy Hilfiger Legacy Design Competition Winner
  • Resonance Accelerator Grant Award

Timeline

Design Director

Lily Apparel
01.2018 - Current

Founder

Megan Renee
10.2017 - Current

Senior Designer

Secret Charm
01.2016 - 01.2018

Senior Designer

Kellwood - My Michelle
01.2012 - 01.2016

Designer

Manhattan Beachwear
01.2011 - 01.2012

Designer

Weavers/ Unger Fabrik
01.2008 - 01.2011

MBA - Marketing

Ashford University

BS - Apparel Design and Textiles

Kansas State University

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