Adobe Illustrator
MELISSA LARA
San Diego,CA
Summary
Spirited Coach committed to inspiring personal drive and self-confidence through motivational training and skills development. Employs example-based instruction style to build trust as hands-on leader and guarantee safety of activities. Believes in open, constructive communication between staff and team to set clear goals and build vision of excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Leader
Elevo
San Diego, CA
11.2023 - Current
- Caring and Responsible After School Aide or "Coach" in educational and activity-based program to support ongoing social emotional learning and academic support
- Outstanding ability to work effectively with warm leadership and supervisory caliber relations with both students and faculty
- Worked under Supervisor's direction to maintain clean, safe and comfortable after school program
- Supervised groups of students during arrival, dismissal, mealtimes, on playground and offered tutoring assistance during academic time slots
- Strive to always engage kids creatively, intellectually and encourage physical exercise.
Creative Director
B the Label
Los Angeles, CA
02.2019 - 01.2020
- Sole Designer/ Creative Director I worked in partnership with Becca Kuffrin, “The Bachelorette,” to create and launch her own “Slounge” label based on her love of comfort and style
- Created and launched lounge-based design vision, in collaboration with cross functional product and creation team
- Developed quarterly collections with average of 20 styles, while implementing creative vision throughout a range of products using extensive research, competitive shopping, forecasting websites, runway, and popular magazines
- Successfully demonstrated leadership by creating elevated, compelling, brand-right products through seasonal color palettes, fashion forward aesthetic, and design storytelling; creating cohesive product assortment that is visually arresting
- Partnered with Tech Designer, production, and overseas factories to approve fit and understand garment engineering to best achieve quality and value proposition
- Ensuring proper handover of all development by submitting all information including merch boards, artwork, sketches (including detailed), BOM's, fabric, trim, labels and preforming all updates as needed.
Freelance Designer
Torrid
Los Angeles, CA
01.2019 - 03.2019
- Functioned predominately as Assistant to Designer by generating all sketches and color-way options for aFall/ Winter season within Outerwear, Bottoms and Swim Categories
- Illustrated original flat sketches by reinterpreting bought samples
- Generated an assortment of color-way and print options for each individual style in both Outerwear and Bottoms categories based on seasonal brand direction, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic
- Inputting all sketches and BOM updates in PLM.
Freelance Designer
Celebrity Pink
Los Angeles, CA
03.2018 - 08.2018
- Pushed the boundaries of innovative, fashion-forward design while maintaining brand sensitivity by developing progressive concepts for a variety of consumers, including women's, men's, and children's lines
- Blended creative skills with aptitude for research and analysis to introduce market-ready designs
- Recognized for combining fashion concepts with cross-functional feedback to transform ideas into realities that meet a variety of needs
- Spearheaded design of exclusive soft woven collection, including woven tops, dresses, and rompers; creating original CADs, determining color story, and coordinating closely with Creative Director and overseas stakeholders
- Expanding men's private label “Fashion Nova” winter line; developing CADs for jackets/sweaters/other garments
- Contributed to GUESS women's and children's fashion jean development by providing original designs
- Created new washes and organized existing libraries by assisting in all wash analyses and communicating desired changes overseas daily.
Senior Designer - TOMMY HILFIGER Women's Sleep /Project Lead
Delta Galil USA – D2 Brands
New York, NY
07.2017 - 12.2017
- Created innovative pieces as sole US sleepwear/ lounge-wear designer from 2012 to 2017
- Designed concepts recognized for ability to transition from studio to street, sourcing inspiration from art, fashion, and theater as well as market trends/analysis and collaboration with overseas partners
- Consistently collaborated with teams to create high-quality products that met audience needs and aligned with calendar on peak development times
- Developed color palettes, participated in fittings, created detail sheets, and worked cross-functionally to select fabrics and patterns
- Developing pieces and lines that received multiple reorders, exceeded margin goals, and received offers from multiple buyers, including Costco, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Urban Outfitters
- Designing lines recognized as trendsetter by WGSN and that earned positive reception from the larger fashion community
- Demonstrating strengths in collaboration and management by working closely with overseas stakeholders, technical professionals, and team of freelance designers/assistants/interns.
Lead Sales Associate
Nordstrom
Portland, OR
09.2008 - 02.2010
- Used extensive knowledge of textiles/garment construction to consistently exceed sales goals and develop relationships.
- Provided exceptional customer service to foster client loyalty and satisfaction.
- Resolved customer issues promptly, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty.
Assistant Technical Engineer
Eddie Bauer
Seattle, WA
06.2007 - 06.2008
- Created sketches and technical drawings to present design concepts to upper management.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop, review and finalize design concepts.
Education
Associate of Arts - Apparel Design
Seattle Central College
Seattle, WA06.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Costume Design
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA01.2004
Skills
- Team Development
- Group facilitation
- Relationship Development
- Academic Assistance
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Creativity and Flexibility
- Coaching Techniques
- Developing agendas
- Feedback Delivery
- Flexible and Adaptable
Websites
Software
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Excel
Timeline
Youth Leader
Elevo
11.2023 - Current
Creative Director
B the Label
02.2019 - 01.2020
Freelance Designer
Torrid
01.2019 - 03.2019
Freelance Designer
Celebrity Pink
03.2018 - 08.2018
Senior Designer - TOMMY HILFIGER Women's Sleep /Project Lead
Delta Galil USA – D2 Brands
07.2017 - 12.2017
Lead Sales Associate
Nordstrom
09.2008 - 02.2010
Assistant Technical Engineer
Eddie Bauer
06.2007 - 06.2008
Associate of Arts - Apparel Design
Seattle Central College
Bachelor of Arts - Costume Design
Western Washington University