Carolin Loose

* Focused on increasing collection cohesiveness, overall brand image and elevating designs. * Launched first women’s collection, balancing between basics and statement pieces to fit into core demographic. * Standardized and improved fits. * Establish seasonal product stories that support brand initiatives including overall direction and color stories for men's and women's. * Managed & trained assistant designer * Responsible for all overseas development communication * Designed seasonal trims & label packages * Engineered garments to meet overall gross margin goals. * Directed photo shoots and catalog production

* Immersed myself in traditional Textile/Apparel productions in respective countries. * Enhanced negotiation skills through daily contact with sellers in markets and vendors throughout South America, Asia & Europe. * Learned how to adapt to unanticipated situations and improvise new plans due to periodic travel mishaps and unexpected events. * Advanced budgeting and planning skills by financing, planning, organizing our around the world trip. This involved using various excel spreadsheets and keeping a record of expenses. * Cultivated language and communication skills through contact with people from around the world. * Learned to use non verbal and verbal communication to overcome communication and language barriers. * Developed and maintained personal Travel Blog, including photography, photo editing and writing.

* Designed entire Men’s Knit Tops & Sweater collection from concept to completion. * Owned 13% of total men’s business, $100 million business in revenue. Increased overall business in catagory by 5%. * Developed and launched in line thermal program. Tripled business over LY (+$1 million) by balancing basics to fashion pieces. * Brought fresh, innovative and relevant products to fruition each season. * Prepared forecasts and presented current and future trends to executive team. * Collaborated with merchandising manager in developing initial line plans. * Managed fits and obtained the highest level of quality in the completion of garments. * Contributed layouts and prints to the art department’s art pool.

* Designed Men’s Wovens, C&S Knits Tops & Sweater program in collaboration with Senior Designer from concept to completion. * Continuously designed 5-6 of the top ten designs in each category. * Sourced and selected fabrics from overseas vendors. * Produced and managed 1st general drawing to final tech pack. * Executed all fabric design, layouts, color and art approvals. * Created and maintained all catalog cads and trend/inspiration boards. * Conducted in depth market research and trend analysis.

* Designed in conjunction with Senior Designer of Men’s Woven Tops & Senior Designer of Denim. * Created and maintained cads for catalog and tech packs. * Presented lines to executive team and sales force. * Researched and sourced fabrics to achieve desired wash effects in denim program. * Managed and maintained all development communications to domestic and overseas vendors for all Denim. * Worked with merchandising manager on costing and negotiations.

* Aided in all aspects of the design process and ensured completion of development through PPS stage. * Ensured efficient collaboration and relationship with vendors in Mexico and China on denim program. * Created, implemented and maintained a P.O. system for ordering all sample denim fabrics for men and youth. * Worked with international licensees on proper development of denim in their producing countries. * Presented lines to local and international Sales force. * Ensured appropriate education of sales teams in the world of denim.

* Liaised with Designer, Merchandising Manager and Vendor for selected categories. * Managed timely and accurate creation of design tech packs and matrices and day to day/style by style communication with select vendors. * Ensured the accuracy of seasonal buy plans and margin reports. * Oversaw proper development of board shorts and denim with Honk Kong and China based vendors at factory locations.

Design Department Assistant