In my own words
— ErikHigh energy, motivated, and passionate Creative Director, looking to relocate back to my sports and active roots in Southern California.
Bringing a system oriented modus operandi and entrepreneurial problem solving.
Trajectory
Apr 2018 — Now
Sales Agent · Green Mountain Energy
Responsible for generating face-to-face conversations with prospective customers to promote and sell products and services in various settings. The primary goal is to acquire new customers and enroll them.
May 2013 — Now
Creative Director · Edinger
Creative Director, Sales Director and Owner of mens designer apparel and swimwear brand. Managing team members in all disciplines. Managing creative direction, design team, production team, web development team, and sales team, while overseeing international and domestic sourcing for domestic production and order fulfillment as well as initiating and managing all wholesale sales accounts.
May 2017 — Feb 2018
Sales Associate · Fig. Menswear
Menswear sales associate working with the Owner and Manager learning procedural and operational duties from the retail perspective with the goal of a Wholesale Sales position. Focusing on buying, tracking, order processing, inventory management, sales goals, daily operations, brand management, customer relations, and vendor relations including trade shows, markets, and sales meetings.
Nov 2016 — Jan 2018
Consultant · D. Daniels Entertainment LLC.
Consulting as branding and design / development strategist working directly with the owner to define concepts for innovative lingerie product story. Responsible for directing the design team in creating and executing the developmental vision that fulfills merchandising strategies, business objectives and customer expectations. Ensuring product aesthetic is consistent with brand image across the organization and aligned with target customers by delivering product that adheres to budget and organizational calendar.
Apr 2016 — Dec 2016
Director, Design Development · SourceEasy
Leading the New York Design team in execution for creating and guiding the design and developmental vision of multiple clients across multiple and diverse product categories. Hands on designing and creation of tech packages, line plans, while researching, reporting and presenting design packages with trend direction for successful product execution and production. Effective teamwork and communication with sales, marketing, and production executives, domestic and overseas vendors and factories, and key account managers for successful product development.
Sep 2012 — May 2013
Head of Design · Hawke & Co
Senior Designer promoted to Head of Design working directly with the owner to define concepts for innovative outerwear product stories. Managing an Associate Designer to conceptualize, design and develop compelling, innovative, brand enhancing outerwear collections that fulfill merchandising strategies, business objectives and customer expectations. Ensuring product aesthetic is consistent with brand image across the organization and aligned with target customers by delivering product that adheres to organizational calendar.
Dec 2010 — Oct 2012
Apparel Designer / Cad Designer · Kenneth Cole Productions
CAD Designer for men's Sportswear Outerwear, Wovens and Suit Separates reporting to the Senior Designer. Focusing on design and artwork from concept to preproduction in outerwear, wovens, and suit separates. Assisting with new and unique style design, presentation artwork, color pitching artwork, detail sketch artwork, color palette manipulation and composition and balance of style for presentation.
Nov 2007 — Dec 2010
Freelance Designer · Hanesbrands Inc., Fila, Weatherproof, Others
Freelance designer for Fila Men’s & Women’s Outerwear collection, Hanes Champion C9 Outdoor collection, Weatherproof, and others reporting directly to the respective Design Directors. Responsible for all aspects of design and merchandising of Men’s, Women's, Boys and Girls Outdoor collections from conception through to final handoff, including trend research, color flow, fabrication and all design and styling details.
Nov 2007 — Sep 2009
Design Director / Owner · Erik Christaan
Design Director / Owner for startup men’s sportswear collection. Managing creative direction, design team and merchandising, while overseeing international and domestic sourcing and production for line development.
Mar 2007 — Nov 2007
Mens Outerwear Designer · Polo Ralph Lauren
Men’s outerwear freelance designer for the new American Living brand, reporting to the Design Director and managing an assistant. Working in conjunction with concept design team, production team and merchandise team to initiate product design and new model development through to line adoption.
Jan 2005 — Mar 2007
Designer · Free Country
Men’s outerwear Associate Designer, reporting directly to the Design Director and the owner. Focusing on Op license and active groups, as well as all graphics and artwork for men’s and boy’s collections with collaboration with boys, children and women’s design.
Jan 2003 — Jan 2004
Assistant Designer · Amerex Group
Design Assistant reporting to the Men's Design Director, with a focus on design, production, detail sheets, sketching and follow through on multiple men's outerwear lines as well as assisting in women's.
Feb 2003 — May 2003
Shipper & Reciever · Chado Ralph Rucci
Jun 1999 — Sep 1999
Intern · Mark Kroeker & the Lost Collective
Internship for high end runway collection in NYC.
Jan 1998 — Jan 1998
Intern · Koret of California
Activity
Education history
Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) | 1996 - 2001
Arizona State University
N/A | 1994 - 1996
Mater Dei High School
Graduate Diploma | 1990 - 1994




