Morgan Wior Smythe
Valley Village,CA
Summary
Experience in the fashion industry for over 15 years. Looking for a new experience where I can grow professionally and personally. Pride myself on strong work ethic, passion for the industry, and building relationships. Successful at generating detailed, accurate designs for mass production.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Designer
Tai Apparel
09.2020 - 06.2024
- Develop and execute product for Walmart, Target and Carter's brands >15M annually
- Create and present trend/data to customer
- Present line to internal team and customers
- Directly manage a team of 2
- Lead design direction for wide range of categories - Maternity, tween, girls, plus size and missy
- Attend and lead fittings for development and production
- Partner with TD and product management to execute development and production
- Trend shop 4 + times a year
- Helped company advance industry standing by creating innovative concept designs.
- Incorporated design changes based on feedback from project teams.
- Developed design deliverables that elevated, differentiated and functioned on-brand and on-strategy.
- Planned project concepts by researching and studying information.
Senior Designer, Brand Manager
Topson Downs
01.2016 - 09.2020
- Develop and execute product for Target business >$10M annually.
- Design, research, and development; deliver brand/trend right designs to customer.
- Strong understanding of customer aesthetic and trend (age 35-65).
- Develop and execute product 6 times a year - 900 unique impressions.
- Created and trained team on new process to increase internal margin.
- Create and present trend/data deck to customer.
- Negotiate with factories on garment prices to maximize company profitability.
- Consistently researching and sourcing fabric, trims and trend.
- Travel to Nashville, Austin, New York, South Carolina, Minneapolis and Houston for trend and inspiration.
- Travel to Shanghai to collaborate with overseas factory partners.
- Present line to internal team and customers.
- Create and manage development schedule; ensuring product arrives on time.
- Analyze weekly selling - utilizing information to react to business.
- Partner with technical design and product management to provide accurate and complete design packages.
- Lead aesthetic vision and creation of new fashion products including knits, woven and denim.
- Oversee and coordinate photoshoots to achieve brand aesthetic.
Associate Designer
Topson Downs Of California Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Oversaw the entire development process (concept to completion).
- Communicated on a daily basis with our Chinese design team and kept the development schedule.
- Attended fittings for both development and production.
- Completed all fabrics boards, trend agendas, and inspiration pages for meetings.
- Passed all information to complete accurate tech packs for both CDR and factories.
- Communicated with production, print, yielding and costing teams to ensure accurate and achievable production.
- Assisted and managed CADs for meetings.
- Selected fabric and trims and work with production team to source for meetings.
- Communicated and met with vendor.
- Responsible for visits to benchmark stores for sample collection.
Assistant Designer
Topson Downs Of California Inc.
05.2011 - 01.2014
- Assisted with design and execution for a $10 Million Target business
- Created inspiration and trend boards
- Research and execution of a line quarterly
- Assist in sourcing and choosing fabrics and trims
- Maintain and organize all samples
- Attended fittings
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistency in design across various platforms.
- Facilitated seamless communication between departments by promptly sharing project updates and relevant information.
Assistant Buyer
Forever 21
12.2008 - 04.2011
- Researched market trends and made recommendations to vendors for new product development.
- Maintained and monitored purchase orders to ensure on-time deliveries.
- Creation and maintenance of line sheets for all open orders.
- Full responsibility for all denim trim/hardware approval.
- Responsible for all interdepartmental communication regarding production.
- Shopped competitor's stores and websites to provide details on current market in weekly trend meetings.
- Liaison between Denim department and all vendors.
- Presented department performance in Best Seller meeting with VP of Merchandising and Senior Buyers.
- Presented styles and costing with owner
HQ Inventory Control Assistant Manager
American Apparel
12.2007 - 12.2008
- Tracked and updated worldwide store inventories.
- Lead physical inventory teams for all southern California stores.
- Improved inventory accuracy through regular auditing.
- Created and implemented nationwide physical inventory schedule.
- Monitored daily reports for over 250 stores to balance all inventories.
- Communicated with stores daily to ensure maximum adherence to control procedures.
Assistant Buyer/Manager
Blue Bee Incorporated
01.2002 - 01.2007
- Assisted owners in five store openings.
- Directly managed over 40 sales associates.
- Developed sales staff and new hires through interviewing, hiring, and training.
- Traveled to trade shows to scout prospective new vendors.
- Conducted product knowledge seminars and events for vendors.
- Merchandised sales floor and window displays.
- Outfitted wardrobes for magazines and charity events.
- Worked as personal shopper for high profile clients and celebrities.
- Tracked sales and inventory for Blue Bee Jean Division.
Education
High School Diploma - undefined
Santa Barbara High
Santa Barbara, CA2001
Skills
- Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Suite
- Experience in multi PLM Systems
George Castle Award
Topson Downs gives out the George Castle Award yearly to the employee who demonstrates dedication, hard work and loyalty
Timeline
Senior Designer
Tai Apparel
09.2020 - 06.2024
Senior Designer, Brand Manager
Topson Downs
01.2016 - 09.2020
Associate Designer
Topson Downs Of California Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2016
Assistant Designer
Topson Downs Of California Inc.
05.2011 - 01.2014
Assistant Buyer
Forever 21
12.2008 - 04.2011
HQ Inventory Control Assistant Manager
American Apparel
12.2007 - 12.2008
Assistant Buyer/Manager
Blue Bee Incorporated
01.2002 - 01.2007
High School Diploma - undefined
Santa Barbara High
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