Christian Arkins
Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant
BROOKLYN | United States
Skills
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Interests
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In my own words
— ChristianI am a Creative Director and Head Designer with over 20 years of successful international experience in building and evolving brands, directing creative/design teams, and working on all categories in men's, women's, and kid's wear.
I have an entrepreneurial mind, yet a creative and scientific approach to my work. I am brand-lover and a product expert.
I enjoy helping brands evolve, turnaround, start new divisions, and make big steps fast while being extremely resourceful to get there. I have lots of experience as a real Creative Director as well with heavy focus on and years worth of successful experience working in the studio, on location, and directing creative photoshoot + creative marketing teams through the process to create content, make look-books, global ad campaigns, and etc..
I also speak the digital language as I have a lot of well rounded EComm experience, this includes digital marketing as well. I have built web-shops and the businesses associated with them, additionally digital brand direction inside the UX and social media channels also.
I look forward to helping great creative teams move forward innovatively + successfully in this new digital economy we live in right now. Please feel free to email me or contact me directly here on this platform or in LinkedIn.
Christian :)
Trajectory
Mar 2016 — Now
Executive Consultant; Creative/Design, Brand/Marketing · Multiple Organizations
I have been consulting for years now for multiple organizations, I am focused on creative and design, brand evolution, creative marketing and all social media + digital marketing.
May 2016 — Now
Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant · Kinross
• Direct & execute all aspects of creative, brand, design, merchandising, marketing for mens division.
• Strong 100% divisional growth in 1 season.
• Developed comprehensive vision for mens division; concept, product & marketing strategies.
• Hands on design & development, and photoshoot execution.
• Partner closely with commercial team & owners on all aspects of brand, product & business.
• Re-branding, photoshoots, labeling, marketing creative- Kinross womenswear.
Jan 2010 — Jul 2016
Creative Director · McGregor
Direct all aspects of creative, brand, design, creative marketing/VM for all divisions, accessories,
and footwear for men's, women's & kids; includes 21 By McGregor.
• Head of Design; 3 Design Director direct reports + teams.
• Developed a new brand strategy; heritage based, includes creation/launch of 21 By McGregor + new
retail store concepts for mens, womens & 21 By McGregor, includes trade show stands.
• Created thorough & detailed presentation of "Brand Filters"; applied to whole brand to keep vision
clear & consistent; includes new branding/labeling.
• Worked closely with digital team for new online experience, responsible for photography/video & creative content.
• Deliver frequent, international brand presentations.
• Introduced critical women's re-branding initiative; new design team + "brand filters".
Mar 2009 — Jan 2010
Women's Creative Director · MEXX
Directed all women's creative for product, visual merchandising, and marketing, including online
brand experience & all brand photography.
• Worked closely with CEO & Executive Team as a turn-around executive to re-position the brand
strategically and restructure operations, resulting ultimately in a successful company sale.
Jan 2008 — Mar 2009
Propr, Head Designer · Women's Collection
Responsible for full cycle introduction of a new better-contemporary brand from design to concept
to final presentation.
• Worked directly with Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Laura Dern, and Ben Harper.
• Directed all product development functions, including manufacturing and sourcing, and built
partnerships/operations from scratch on an extremely aggressive timetable.
• Delivered the collection successfully - sold to Barneys, Fred Segal, Intermix, Scoop, and other top-
tier target customers.
Jan 2007 — Mar 2009
Creative Director/President · William & Augusta
• Conceptualized, branded, and operationalized a new women's designer/luxury label.
• Developed all product, marketing, PR, website, sales, and pricing strategies.
• Led a cross-functional team of 8 FTE through the brand launch, including fashion shows with all
major retailers/press/celebs in attendance.
• Directed and coordinated all patternmaking, fabric/trim development, fittings, and sample/production development.
• Initiated and maintained strong relationships with all vendors and partners.
• Directed a full team including design, PR, sales, finance/legal & branding.
• Successfully launched product at premium retailers (eg. Harvey Nichols, Takashimaya, Bergdorf's)
Mar 2007 — Jan 2008
Men's Design Director · Bobby Jones
• Managed the men's product teams.
• Responsible for all design, merchandising, product development, production, pricing, and sourcing.
• Led high-level product and marketing strategies/initiatives in Luxury Golf Market.
• Presented product vision to large cross-functional and executive audiences.
Jul 2002 — Feb 2007
Head Design & Creative Director · Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
Mar 2003 — May 2005
Senior Designer · Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
Jul 2002 — Mar 2003
Designer · Original Penguin (subsidiary of Perry Ellis)
• Built the Original Penguin business from $0 - $80 million in revenue in less than 5 years.
• Functioned as company Creative Director plus Head of Design for all aspects of design for 5 labels,
plus national roll-out of Penguin's retail stores.
• Managed separate men's, women's, graphic design, and tech design teams.
• Work closely with Perry Ellis CEO on strategic planning for all aspects of Original Penguin brand.
• Drove all brand photography direction & execution, including online, lookbook, and campaign.
• Merchandised every collection side by side with company President.
• Introduced various new product lines and a licensee business that scaled revenue rapidly.
• Travel the world frequently for inspirational and manufacturing requirements.
• Began as a Designer in 2002 and promoted twice up to Design & Creative Director by 2005.
• Awarded 2004 Perry Ellis Designer of The Year, 2005/06 winners both members of my design team.
Sep 1998 — Oct 2000
Freelance Designer · RRL/Polo by Ralph Lauren
• Focused on knitwear, wovens, and denim.
• Moodboards, vintage shopping, seasonal concept (styles, color & artworks).
• Very technical/fitting, wash/development intensive.
• Presented to senior executives, including Ralph and Jerry Lauren.
• Was back at RRL after JCrew, & continued to help Ralph/RRL with side projects through 2004.
Jun 1998 — Aug 1998
Design/Marketing Consultant · Speedo International
Performed market research and designed 2 collections for a full collection launch of a new
worldwide beach concept.
• Traveled globally (UK, Europe, Middle East, and East Asia) for R&D of concept.
• Presented regularly to Speedo International President and upper management teams.
Activity
Education history
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
A.A. in Apparel Manufacturing Management and Fashion Design
Muhlenberg College
B.A.
