James Mohan
Owner Principal / Head of Design · Mohan Design
Los Angeles, MA
In My Own Words
<p>With over two decades of experience, I know how to navigate and disrupt the activewear market because I’ve done this for brands like Nike, Under Armour and ASICS. With not only my individual skills but also building and mentoring talented teams, I’ve been able to invigorate brand recognition through product design. </p>
Work Experience
Owner Principal / Head of Design
Mohan Design2011 – Present
An award-winning product design company, specializing in apparel design, brand initiatives, accessories and equipment offering solutions in any range from concept to delivery with a focus on commercial viability, innovation and sustainability. • Specializing in design innovation, collections, wearable technology and performance wear • Leader in style, technology and color trends • Brand Identity through garment design • Multiple design and utility patent holder • Product planning for various start-up or established technical brands' needs • Liaising between brands and garment manufacturers, domestically and abroad including South China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Sri Lanka for brands' development and production needs
Chief Design Officer
FORLOH Inc.2019 – 2021
As head of design, I have ownership of overall product design and direction, including creating systems of dress for the elite level outdoor athlete. • Interviewed on "FOX and FRIENDS" Morning Show for apparel manufacturing in the USA • Created Product Design Ethos for the FORLOH brand • Designed over eighty styles ranging from technical base layer to specialized outerwear • Won BEST WATERPROOF SHELL - Gear Junkie 2021 • Won BEST SOFTSHELL - Peterson's Hunting, Editor's Choice • Ideated and created the "Tri-Layer" System for Thermoregulation • Introduced Trizar™ Technology to the brand • Created and designed all "Perf-Weld" Sonic Welded quilting innovations • Maintained integrity through design, innovation, market needs and premium quality • Collaborated with mills and manufacturing partners for best practices and efficiencies • Helped forge domestic manufacturing capabilities and capacity • Established vision for future design and solutions for outdoor sport
Senior Design Director - Global Apparel
ASICS America Corp2017 – 2018
Direct, guide, influence and collaborate with global design teams to create innovative, relevant and commercial products that support all brand directives. Rebuilt the apparel design team from the ground up with six direct reports. Innovation collaboration with ISS (Institute of Sport Science) in Kobe, Japan for apparel, materials, and wearable technologies.
Head of Design and Brand
Endeavor Athletic Apparel2014 – 2017
Independent contractor to design, direct and oversee the product line and brand initiatives for this start-up company in the athletic apparel sector. Co-developed a fabric using a technology called Trizar™ for increased breathability and evaporative cooling. A true advancement in micro-climate for “sweat sports”. This technology is also being used at NASA for their spacesuit systems. I helped bring this “first-to-market” for commercialized training-type apparel.
Global Senior Designer
Nike, Inc.2012 – 2014
Designed original, innovative concepts and commercial apparel for Nike Pro Combat. My designs were responsible for the success of the HyperWarm, HyperCool and Core franchises in a global arena, across all sports Consistently collaborated with NIKE NXT on latest innovations, HURLEY on their Phantom collection of boardshorts and wetsuits, and BRAND JORDAN for base layer technologies
Senior Designer
DAKINE2012 – 2013
Independent contractor to design and manage the Global Men's Outerwear line including direction, concept, color, merchandising and technical advisement. Provided global direction for Women's Outerwear. Designed and patented the "Phone Tether" for use in all premium outerwear.
Senior Design Manager
Under Armour2009 – 2011
Design and design management for Men's Performance apparel. Design lead for Special Projects including Innovation. I was the lead in bringing “ColdBlack”, which is an infrared technology to all of their Training, Run and Golf Apparel. Working closely with my partners and the mills in Switzerland, I determined the correct weight and ratios for each garment. I was also on the development team working closely with Cotton, Inc in North Carolina to bring “Storm” and “Charged” Cotton into the product line. Acting Director of apparel during my supervisor’s leave of absence.
Senior Designer / Art Director
Spyder Active Sports2007 – 2009
Senior Designer for Men's Outerwear and Apparel Graphics. Design, direct and oversee graphic design for both marketing material and apparel. I was on the design/development team that developed the next generation of skiing speed suits that Lindsey Vonn and team wore in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. From porosity, to seam placement and construction to fit, we worked on every inch of each suit and tested on live bodies in the wind tunnel in San Diego.
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