In my own words
— ThomasFootwear Designer with 15 years of experience and a diverse portfolio in varying footwear categories.
Passionate about trends, shoe making and innovations, I am able to translate ideas to proven commercial success.
Trajectory
Apr 2005 — Now
Freelance Footwear Designer - Industrial Design Consultant · TL Design
Creating iconic and innovative products and brand experiences for companies that want to disrupt their categories and impact culture.
Skilled in brand positioning, design direction, innovation strategy, color and material, product road-mapping, industrial design.
Concept and innovation orientated with strong sketching and rendering skills. Ability to adjust quickly to changing environments, situations and specific country idiosyncrasies.
Creation and development of short/long term footwear solutions, solo or within a team, to proven commercial success.
Knowledge of each technical aspect of shoe construction, materials, pattern making, development and production.
Excel in combining the creation of vision with the ability to actualize it.
Clients include:
-Skateboard Industry
-Luxury sneaker Brand
-Surf companies
-Outdoor Brand
-Snowboard Industry
-Climbing Brand...
thomas-liebert-design.com
Sep 2011 — Sep 2018
Global Senior Footwear Designer - Innovation Leader · DC Shoes, Inc.
Conceptualization and research of new technological and design innovations within DC footwear.
Footwear design leading role for all categories: core and pro skate, street lifestyle, women, franchises and snowboard boots (2011 to 2013).
Identify brand DNA and core competencies in order to work with Team leaders to develop over arching product strategy.
Sep 2007 — Sep 2011
Footwear Design Manager · Ocean Minded
Design direction, development and sourcing for all Ocean Minded's footwear.
Launched new brand identity for Men, women and kids sandals and created Ocean Minded ‘s first line of closed toe shoes.
In Charge of sourcing and developping the footwear line using sustainable materials and processes
Sep 2007 — Sep 2011
Innovation Footwear Designer · Crocs
Introduced true Design innovations in to the footwear line.
ex: women “translucent Collection”, “Santa Cruz Collection” best sellers since 2010
Apr 2007 — Sep 2007
FOOTWEAR DESIGN COUNSULTANT · TL DESIGN
Billabong / Kustom Footwear USA / World Industries. / Burton
Burton
Design of the 2010 Burton Ion boot.
BILLABONG, KUSTOM FOOTWEAR USA, Irvine, CA
Trend forecasting, Design direction, sourcing and development of the US range
WORLD INDUSTRIE, Newport Beach, CA
Design direction for SS 2009, tech packs, colorways and development
Jul 2003 — Apr 2007
Global Footwear Designer · Rip Curl
Rip Curl Europe -FRANCE
06-2003 to 02-2005
Rip Curl USA
02-2005 to 04-2007
Responsible for the trend forecasting, conceptualization, design and development of multiple lines of footwear.
Strategic product development through storytelling and cross-department coordination with each region’s product managers (USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil), to adapt products to the markets.
Activity
Education history
Ecole Pivaut
Master | 1998 - 2003
