Susan Blahut

Swimwear Designer · add-black

Redondo Beach, CA

In My Own Words

Apparel designer with extensive experience in swimwear and lingerie looking for a creatively challenging position with an exciting surf lifestyle brand. Skilled in trend research, color and print direction, technical CAD’s in Illustrator, garment fitting, communication with factories, organization and multi-tasking.

Work Experience

Swimwear Designer

add-black

2016 – Present

Conduct trend research and shop the market for brand right design inspiration; source novelty trims and fabric; create mood boards and design direction each season and present to team and buyers; pitch color palettes and choose prints; comment on all lab-dips, strike-off’s and trim details; design on-trend new bodies to compliment existing top selling carry-over styles; create linesheets and overviews for team and factories; work closely with technical designer to ensure design intent and expression of fit is met; work directly with product developers and factories to meet all deadlines and stay on calendar.

Swimwear Designer

Sunsets Inc.

2016 – 2016

Private label junior swimwear designer

Associate Swimwear Designer

InMocean Group, LLC

2014 – 2016

Work with designer to create new bodies, technical CADs, and linesheets each season; choose, edit, and re-color prints; design color palette and approve lab dips and strike-offs; create and maintain tech packs and BOMs; assist with garment fittings; work with production team and factory on pre-production sample comments; design trend presentations for sales team and clients; communicate with factories overseas; organize salesman samples; assisted in the launch of Anne Cole LOCKER active swim line.

Associate Swimwear Designer

Parisa Lingerie and Swim

2013 – 2014

Oversaw swimwear team design, development, and production of four swim brands on calendar; created new body CADs and linesheets each season; created and presented trend and mood boards to clients and sales team; communicated directly with suppliers and factories overseas; sourced new materials and trims; prepared cut tickets for pattern makers for silhouette/fabric development; assisted with garment fitting process; initiated and approved lab dips; re-color, pitch and strike-off prints; Urban Outfitters fit model.

Design and Technical Design Intern

The Row, LLC

2012 – 2012

Assisted design team with Spring and Pre-Fall 2013 collections; created technical flats in Illustrator; designed, patterned, and sewed samples; prepared cut tickets for and communicated with factories; launched sales samples; updated tech pack and fit notes.

Trendy Sleep and Cotton Bras & Panties Design Intern

La Senza Division of Limited Brands

2012 – 2012

Created technical sketches, product mock-ups, and presentation boards for seasonal deliveries; researched products and trends; worked closely with trendy sleep team to create brand right designs through sales analysis and customer feedback.