Tara S.
Product Designer/Product Manager/Product Development/Account Director
San DIego and Los Angeles | United States
Interests
Fashion
Travel
Pugs
Thai language and food
Social media.
Industries
Lifestyle
Outdoor
In my own words
— Tara<p>I have 18 years of experience in product design/product development and production in bags/fashion accessories and gear.
I also have 2 years of experience in footwear design. I love building collections and brands. I lead an active lifestyle and I am currently training for a 545 mile bike ride up the coast of California for AIDSLifecycle. I divide my time between San Diego and Los Angeles. • Mastery of soft goods design and development • Strong sketching and problem solving skills • Speed and efficiency in execution • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Uncompromising commitment to excellence • Ability to ideate and prototype rapidly • Team oriented work ethic • Ninja-like ability to juggle multiple tasks My website: www.tarasauvage.com My portfolio: www.coroflot.com/roccodante</p>
Trajectory
Jan 2010 — Now
Accessories Design/Product Development/Production & Fashion Business Consulting · Sauvage Private Label, L.L.C.
Freelance. Design entire collection from first sketch through to final production. Source new factories for clients and help facilitate expansion to China, Japan and other emerging luxe markets. Social Media Strategy for fashion brands and ongoing consulting and support for start up fashion brands,
Handbags, Accessories, Small Leather Goods, Belts, Jewelry, Material Sourcing, Leather Sourcing, Hardware Development, Product Development, Trend Forecasting, Business Strategy, Developing Accessory Divisions, Sourcing Factories, Korea, China, India, Italy, Vendor Negotiations, Private Label design, iphone and digital device Cases, Men's Belts and Bags, Backpacks, Messenger Bags, etc.
Clients include JCPenney, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Target, Allegro, Black Rapid, Rocco Sauvage, Neiman Marcus, Torrid, Rampage, Wet Seal, Rakuda bags, Nordstrom, I-Trend designs, AllieLor Collections, Jessica Georgina, and many more. (Most clients NOT listed due to confidentiality)
Feb 2015 — Feb 2017
Design Director: Accessories and Handbags · Vertigo USA - downtown Los Angeles
Design full line of PU fashion handbags, product development and production for the off-price category. I used my vast network of suppliers and factories to produce 10 full collections of PU fashion handbags for the Vertigo brand. Sales at the trade shows.
Nov 2012 — Apr 2013
Product Development - Apparel · Christine Alexander Inc.
- Manage product development of Apparel with overseas and domestic factories.
- Approve lab dips and samples.
- Source new accessories and apparel for collections.
- Establish timelines and T & A calendar for each season and collection.
- Trend research for future collections.
- New product development for new lines, such as denim, scarves, sunglasses and fashion accessories.
- Social networking including facebook, twitter, etc.
Jan 2008 — Dec 2012
Founder/Handbag Designer · Rocco e Dante LLC
• Design, sketch, and source handbags, small leather goods, belts, and fashion accessories for brand Rocco e Dante.
• E-Commerce Manager
• Work includes: sketching, technical specs, sourcing, product development, and collection editing and review.
• Travel to Italy and Hong Kong to oversee sample and design process, source new materials, and meet with factories.
• Manage sales reps, attend trade shows, and oversee all business development and social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Jan 2006 — Jan 2007
Senior Handbag and Accessories Designer · Report Footwear
• Designed and sketched leather handbags.
• Responsible for collection from initial concept to final sales samples.
• Sketched silhouettes, selected colors, materials, and hardware, made sample requests, reviewed samples, and was responsible for communicating changes with factories in China and Korea.
Jan 2003 — Jan 2006
Account Director & Design · Ma Cher Inc.
• Specialized in “Gift with Purchase” and “Purchase with Purchase” for the fashion/beauty/travel industry.
• Accounts included: Michael Stars, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Frankie B., Pure Beauty, Fudge, and others.
• Designed and manufactured promotional items.
• Traveled to China and Hong Kong to meet with suppliers.• Obtained new clients via cold-calls and networking.
• Responsible for spec and sample development with Chinese factories.
• Responsible for new product development, costing, freehand sketches, and meeting with corporate buyers and marketing teams.
Jan 2000 — Jan 2003
Belt & Handbag Designer/Account Director · Linea Pelle Inc.
• Sketched and designed handbags and belts.
• Responsible for product development, pattern design, and material selection.
• Communicated with overseas factories, made sample requests, inspected new samples.
• Responsible for costing, customer service, and purchase orders.
• Designed marketing materials for the line,
• Traveled for Fashion Week and trade shows, responsible for setup and selling at trade shows.
• Designed for both private label and the house label, Linea Pelle.
• Responsible for corporate sales for both private label and house label.
Jan 2000 — Jan 2001
Footwear Designer · J and L footwear
J & L Footwear, Los Angeles, CA: Associate Footwear Designer
Activity
Projects
Fashion Accessories and Bags
Education history
Instituto Internazionale Arte Calzaturiera e Pellettiera (ARS ARPEL)
diploma | 2007 - 2007
University of San Diego School of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 2014 - 2015
