Katie Thompson
Apparel Design · Antigua Sportswear
Huntington Beach, CA
In My Own Words
Seasoned design professional with proven track record for success in building categories and increasing sales. My experience ranges from lifestyle apparel, Swim, Active, Golf, Snow and Olympic uniforms, for Men's, Women's, Kids and Baby. I have extensive SMU and Private Label experience so I know how to walk the line between the customers needs and stay true to a brand. I thrive working with others and push myself to create the absolute best garments for the company and the consumer at all times while growing the business I'm designing for.
Work Experience
Apparel Design
Antigua Sportswear2021 – 2021
I was hired full-time to design the Golf apparel and some of their Corporate and Licensed fully fashioned knits and fan apparel for the Arizona based company. I finished the second season as a freelance designer working remotely from California.
Creative Director
Island World Apparel2018 – 2021
I did all the Design, Merchandising, Development, and Fit as well as opened new factories for two juniors and womens swim brands. It was a very small company so I also created the catalog and attended sales shows and photo shoots.
Design Director
Hybrid Apparel2017 – 2018
I report to the VP of Design and manage the junior designers for X Junk Food label for Target. We design 4 - 6 collections a year which are mainly licensed apparel. Garments range from knits to wovens, tops, bottoms, fleece and jackets. We offer Men's, Women's, Juniors, Boys, Girls, Toddler and Infants apparel. Some activations have up to eight different Licensors at a time.
Freelance Apparel Design
KThompson Design2013 – 2017
Design for Nils, ASICS, Crown Jewel, Kap7. At ASICS I designed athlete collections for Kerri Walsh Jennings, Jorden Burroughs and the Olympic Field Hockey Team as well as seasonal in-line and team sport active apparel and revamped the seamless undergarments and their packaging.
Senior Apparel Designer
C1RCA2012 – 2013
Responsible for all aspects of merchandising and designing Men's three categories of apparel and some accessories and Women's apparel. Created BOMs, streamlined fits, hired fit models, held fittings, planned the seasonal assortment, etc
Women's Design Manager
Oakley, Inc.2006 – 2011
Was hired as Men's and Women's Golf Designer and SMU Designer. - built Golf business into fully technical "fashion meets function" line in national and global accounts - worked extensively with pro athletes and teams on garments and collections - Created Vault line from SMU category of seasonally specific collections for the outlet and online channels. Built Vault business to be most lucrative collection at the time. Women's Design Manager - I was promoted to this position to push the women's business forward. - managed 6 designers - responsible for all categories: active, snow, swim, lifestyle and tees/fleece - created sales tools and language to assist Sales team in growing business
Associate Designer
TSE / Cashmere House1999 – 2005
Started as a Design Assistant - daily communication with HK factory, specs, swatch palettes, facilitating meetings. Parted ways as Associate Designer, responsible for largest key account and over 200 styles per season.
