Ke Castro
Senior Fashion Designer Based in Los Angeles · Fashion Nova
Los Angeles, CA
In My Own Words
Experienced professional with a diverse skill set, including coordination of design projects, management of product creation processes, and implementation of entrepreneurial strategies to maintain a competitive edge with 9+ years of experience in the fashion industry.
Work Experience
Senior Designer, NovaMen
Fashion Nova2021 – Present
•Collaboratively partner, proactively lead and professionally influence a team of disciplinary designers. •Effectively managed the implementation of the Centric PLM software and identified opportunities for workflow enhancements. •Develop, manage, and deliver concise and impactful company presentations showcasing seasonal narratives, themes, ideas, and prototypes. Demonstrate strong communication skills with confidence and expertise. •Demonstrate proficiency in aspirational designer-level trends, fabrics, fit, and construction through extensive knowledge and experience. •Possess a proactive attitude and a problem-solving focus when encountering challenges in the workplace. •Oversee supervision of product development within designated categories and maintain open and timely communication with overseas vendors to ensure exceptional design quality. Utilize Mandarin language skills as needed to effectively communicate with vendors.
Freelance Design & Production Consultant
Bella Doña2020 – 2023
•Acting as a design and production consultant for Bella Doña, a Los Angeles-based women's sportswear and streetwear company, with a track record of successful projects.
Designer, Menswear & Womenswear
Teddy Fresh2020 – 2021
•Responsible for trend research and concept development to identify new trends, silhouettes, fabrics, techniques, and collaborations. •Balance fashion & trend within the line plan to drive both men’s and women’s apparel and accessories evolution and development of emerging business opportunities. •Self-Manage own creative process and ensure efficiency and communication flow between design, marketing, and development. •Create design flats/tech-packs to follow through with accuracy and thoroughness on design in multiple stages.
Associate Designer, ESSENTIALS F.O.G.
PACSUN2018 – 2020
•Served as a cut and sew designer for Jerry Lorenzo's diffusion line, ESSENTIALS. •Manage the design process from initial sketch to production including full circle style set up, BOM, and tech packs. •Promoted to Associate Designer in 2018, responsible for overseeing categories valued at over $100 million. Conducted seasonal trend research and led concept development for all men's categories to be presented company-wide.
Assistant Designer
Joyrich2016 – 2017
•Assisted the designer and creative director in conducting trend research, sketching designs, placing graphic designs, and overseeing production with international vendors. •The Joyrich X IMG Licensing collaborations feature capsule collections with renowned brands such as Coca-Cola and Keith Haring.
Design Assistant
DSTLD2016 – 2016
•Assisted the design director in overseeing both men's and women's categories. •Responsibilities include creating thorough CAD designs in Adobe Illustrator, participating in fitting sessions, and making necessary revisions to sketches and technical design packages.
Design Intern, Youth
The North Face, a VF Company2015 – 2015
•Developed seasonal color story and print direction with design team following creative brief from creative director of TNF. •Designed global styles for America, Asian and European markets.