Sunny Mills
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Accomplished professional providing original design, inspiration, business acumen, and leadership in designing denim, RTW, loungewear, activewear, and leather handbag collections. Successful in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends to develop trend-right product that achieves strong sell-through. Skilled in relationship building, presentations, and negotiations with key internal and external decision-makers. Started million-dollar activewear companies from the ground up. Managed more than $14 million of overseas production (India, Bangladesh, Korea, and Hong Kong).
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Design & Production
VIE ACTIVEWEAR (division of Yoga Club)
El Segundo, CA
05.2018 - 12.2022
- Direct all areas of design and product development, including color stories, fabric selection and testing, print sourcing, trim allocation, line sheets, look book approval, photoshoots, retail store setups and displays, trunk shows, and pop up merchandise selections
- Manage production and communicate with factories from concept through final production, including initial sketch requests, lab dips, approval and direction on all garment detail and fit for tech packs, BOMs, time and action calendars
- Currently creating several new brands sold under the Yoga Club umbrella.
Manager, Design & Production
VIE ACTIVEWEAR (division of Yoga Club)
El Segundo, CA
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Direct all areas of design and product development, including color stories, fabric selection and testing, print sourcing, trim allocation, line sheets, look book approval, photoshoots, retail store setups and displays, trunk shows, and pop up merchandise selections
- Manage production and communicate with factories from concept through final production, including initial sketch requests, lab dips, approval and direction on all garment detail and fit for tech packs, BOMs, time and action calendars
- Currently creating several new brands sold under the Yoga Club umbrella.
Director, Design & Production - Women's Activewear
SQN SPORT
Sun Valley, ID
02.2013 - 05.2017
- Challenged with developing, merchandising, and producing a new line of activewear to be sold through ecommerce and the company's four retail stores in Aspen, Sun Valley, Malibu, and Ketchum
- Generated more than $3 million annually
- Created and executed all stages of design, including silhouettes, construction, fabrication, fit, patterns, color stories, trim, and sample line development
- Managed production, including fabric sourcing and purchasing, working one-on-one with domestic factories to ensure they were clear on fit, markers, yield, lead times, deadlines; negotiate competitive pricing and delivery
- Established an independent consultancy, Dylan SV, to design and develop high-end handbag collections sold by SQN
- Sourced the finest Italian leathers and hardware available; created the most current and fashion-forward seasonal color pallets; communicated daily with all vendors and factories to ensure timely delivery.
Manager, Design & Production - Unisex Travelwear
SCOTTEVEST
Sun Valley, ID
05.2011 - 05.2012
- Sourced all fabrics, trims, and factories (domestic and overseas); organized all branding, including zipper pulls, patches, snaps, buttons, hangtags, and labels
- Worked closely with factories in India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Korea; initiated factory startups; established costing, duty rates, and mark up percentages
- Oversaw and revised tech packs, including measurements and fit
- Set up in-house inspections; cost-engineered garments on both LDP and FOB basis.
Designer, Women's Activewear
NOVA CLOTHING
Los Angeles, CA
07.1997 - 07.1998
- Designed and merchandised two fashion-forward lines seasonally, including prototypes and cost, line, and spec sheets
- Managed team of eight; oversaw all sample cutting, sewing, and trim purchasing
- Worked directly with major accounts to create exclusives (Wet Seal & Rampage).
Head Designer, Women's Better Contemporary - Private Label
SHEER CO.
Los Angeles, CA
08.1998
- Responsible for all areas of design, construction, patterns, sewing, and garment dye
- Designed two lines monthly (cotton baby rib and rayon spandex jersey)
- Worked closely with buyers on private label programs from concept to production
- Major accounts included Cache, Bloomingdales, Bebe, and Macy's East.
Education
AA, Merchandise Marketing and Product Development -
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Skills
- Merchandising
- Garment Construction
- Sample, Fabric, & Trim Development
- Retail Development - Pop-Ups
- Overseas & Domestic Production
- Team Building & Management
- Global Sourcing
- Sales Analysis & Forecasting
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Excel
- Word
- Trade Gecko
- Squarespace
- Constant Contacts
- Nuorder
- Dropbox
- Shopify
- Google Hangouts
- Project Management
- Business Development
- Project Coordination
- Budget Control
- Business Planning
- Contract Negotiation
- Rules and regulations
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Team Management
- Financial Management
- Story pitching
- Contract and Vendor Management
- Strategic Planning
- Sales management
- Budget Management
- Content Development
- International business
- Corporate Communications
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Talent Acquisition
- Organizational Development
- Innovation management
- Crisis Management
- Negotiation
- Creativity and Innovation
Locations
- Los Angeles, CA
- Sun Valley, ID
- Santa Barbara, CA
Cover Letter
Hello, I wanted to send a quick cover letter letting you know that I am very interested in this position. I have lived in Sun Valley, Idaho for over 15 years and have a plethora of knowledge in the elite ski world. I am also qualified in all areas of design, production, product development, cross collaboration, building out retail stores (even one in Aspen), merchandising and wholesale. I would love to explore this position further. Thanks, Sunny
References
- Scott Yamano, (310) 621-5874, scott@yogaclub.com, previous employer
- Mindy Meads, (608) 345-6354, mindycmeads@gmail.com, previous employer
- Malora Castle, (208) 720-7591, malora.castle@gmail.com, previous employee
Affiliations
Designed Courtney Love's album cover cloes, designed a spread in Cospopitain mgazine, designed Fiona Apples dres for the cover of Rolling Stones magazine.
Timeline
Director of Design & Production
VIE ACTIVEWEAR (division of Yoga Club)
05.2018 - 12.2022
Manager, Design & Production
VIE ACTIVEWEAR (division of Yoga Club)
05.2017 - 05.2018
Director, Design & Production - Women's Activewear
SQN SPORT
02.2013 - 05.2017
Manager, Design & Production - Unisex Travelwear
SCOTTEVEST
05.2011 - 05.2012
Head Designer, Women's Better Contemporary - Private Label
SHEER CO.
08.1998
Designer, Women's Activewear
NOVA CLOTHING
07.1997 - 07.1998
AA, Merchandise Marketing and Product Development -
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Similar Profiles
Ava MallickAva Mallick
Yoga Instructor at The Puppy Yoga ClubYoga Instructor at The Puppy Yoga Club
Hemanth Sai Reddy ArumallaHemanth Sai Reddy Arumalla
President at High school yoga clubPresident at High school yoga club
Sophie TurcotteSophie Turcotte
Yoga Instructor at Quantum Yoga ClubYoga Instructor at Quantum Yoga Club
Omar Valdez- AlvaradoOmar Valdez- Alvarado
Emergency Medical Technician at Premier AmbulanceEmergency Medical Technician at Premier Ambulance
Melissa De La TorreMelissa De La Torre
Healthcare Security Officer at Blackstone Consulting IncHealthcare Security Officer at Blackstone Consulting Inc