Sarah Schwennsen

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

2015 – Present

·Curate research, design and development for clients specific for their needs ·Create trend reports including runway and retail edits ·Designed and developed Satva Living eco friendly yoga/lifestyle brand from concept through production ·Designed plus size assortment for Gaiam for different channels of distribution

DESIGN DIRECTOR

2008 – 2015

Directed and inspired a team of product, textile, and tech designers to create 17 collections/year

Set direction seasonally including color, concept, key outfits, and volume drivers

Responsible for building design infrastructure to grow the internally designed product to 95% of total company · Launched new product initiatives and designer collaborations as well as new brand concepts · Created and developed denim fits, fabrics, and wash assortment for wall and fashion styles · Responsible building design infrastructure from scratch to a team of 10 designers/10 graphic artists · Traveled globally for market/trend research and product development for all categories · Created inspiring trend presentations for entire company that set the direction for the season · Developed concept and outfit stories for stores and ecommerce including initial direction for mailers · Store count grew from 135-300 +during my tenure

HEAD DESIGNER ACTIVE

2007 – 2008

Strategically designed active wear collection including color, fabric, and print development · First collection to be placed in Nordstrom’s and Dillard’s stores · Developed new eco friendly performance fabric for the fitness collection

DESIGN DIRECTOR

2006 – 2007

Directed all functions of the company in research and design including graphics, sample and pattern makers

Designed 3 different brands including Marika, Balance Collection, and Shiva Shakti which included performance, yoga, and lifestyle apparel · Strong partnership with cross functional teams of sales, merchandising, marketing, and product development

DIRECTOR OF TREND & DESIGN

2004 – 2006

Set direction of color, concept, and silhouette direction for the 64 contemporary Rampage stores

Developed exclusive product with vendors along with merchant team

DESIGN MANAGER

1999 – 2004

Created, designed, and managed process of private label brands of all product categories including trend, color, fabrication, and technical details for $115M volume · Initiated launch of new brand “French Laundry” · Developed denim assortment for junior brand Ellemenno and Missy/Plus brand Hillard & Hanson · Traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and US executing product details

DESIGN DIRECTOR

1994 – 1999

New brand launch of L2 for lower price fashion collection · Opportunity to move throughout company with restructuring and growth and had positions in all design divisions · Continually developed new fits, fabrics, and finishes by working closely with patternmakers, fabric mills, and laundries both domestically and oversea · Initiated new Plus size denim assortment with new fits, features, and details

BS

1983 – 1987

BS

CERTIFICATE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

1986 – 1986

CERTIFICATE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS