Rory Gartelmann
Senior Footwear Designer
Westminster | United States
Interests
No information
Industries
Fashion
Lifestyle
Snow
Streetwear
In my own words
— Rory<p>An award winning and enthusiastic lead footwear designer with over a decade of expertise creating and producing inspired and best-selling Women's global footwear collections.</p>
Trajectory
May 2015 — Now
Women's Senior Footwear Design Consultant · Rory K Gartelmann Design Consulting
Footwear and Design consultant that worked remotely and on-site to collaborate with brands to bring each of their visions to life.
Worked on product briefs through all phases from initial design ideation through
tech packs, material and color, pattern/blueprint corrections, and fit.
Clients include: Sperry, Vera Bradley, JC Penny, Keds, Suns Shoes, Whiting & Davis,
Loudmouth Golf, and Sofft Shoe.
Asia travel if requested by client.
Sperry l Boston, MA
Oct 2020 — Apr 2024
Womens Design Team Lead · Sperry Top-Sider
Lead Women's team through construction, pattern, color, and material executions while remaining brand relevant across diverse categories and price points.
Works cross functionally with Product Management and Product Development to
execute seasonal requests on an average of 21 TN & NU's, while delivering on both
FOB and margin requirements.
Design and manage product rage across multiple price tiers, from opening price
point, to premium leather executions to serve a diverse consumer range including
Nordstrom, Macy's, DSW, and Rackroom.
Increased product margin 3% 2023 vs. 2024.
Under leadership, consumer sentiment rose from 30% to above 80%.
Executed successful collaborations with full sell through including The Summer I
Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime.
Mentor and lead more junior designers and direct reports.
International market and Asia travel multiple times per year.
Jul 2011 — May 2015
Designer · Sperry Top-Sider
Responsible for sourcing, designing, sketching, and producing Women's Footwear across multiple price points and distributions.
Partnered closely with collaboration brands to develop product while nurturing
relationships and streamlining partnerships.
Established and maintained effective working relationship with sales team and buyers to allow growth within both businesses.
Created original artwork to develop seasonally appropriate prints and materials.
Travel to Asia 3-4 times per year.
Nov 2008 — Jun 2011
Womens Footwear Designer · Sam Edelman
Footwear designer that focused on Private Label and licensed product including
American Eagle and Ann Taylor LOFT.
Hand sketched entire line, sourced and detailed materials and finishes, built
seasonal line sheets, tracked sampled, and helped with general organization.
Required Asia travel 4-5 time per year.
Activity
Education history
Polimoda
Associates | 2007 - 2008
Fashion Institue of Technology
Associates | 2008 - 2009





