Versatile Creative with +25 years of diversified experience, ranging from Haute Couture to Contemporary, with demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring high performing design teams. Able to adapt quickly to different environments and markets. Extensive knowledge on product development / processes, technical design, materials sourcing, and cost negotiations. Comprehensive experience in all categories of Womenswear and Man, including Denim, Sweaters and Activewear.

 

SKILLS

• Computer Skills: Photoshop, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and PML system ENOVIA

• Language Italian (native), English (fluent), French (basic)

• Strong tailoring, draping background and fabric manipulashion

• Garment costing and negotiations

• Product development

• Team and workflow management

• Trend analyses 

 

EXPERIENCE

CULT GAIA     

RTW Design Director                                                    Los Angeles April 2023 to present

• Overseeing execution of collections from season concepts to final production approval for all

womenswear categories.

• Managing workflow of design team and of the patterns makers and sewers room in accordance

with corporate Master Calendar. Scheduled cross-functional deliverables with Materials R&D,

Product Development, Technical Design

• Building and negotiating product costs. Developing and managing vendor relationships, including

new vendor sourcing and lead-time price negotiations.

• Travel throughout Asia to manage production quality of the SMS and Bulk, instructing factories on

elaborate construction and design details to ensure brand quality.

• Partnering with Merchandising and Sales Departments to develop seasonal line plans and sales

strategies.

• Building and managing annual design and development budget.

• Leader management of the seasonal design and devolvement calendar.

• Presentation of each collection to wholesale and retail team.

• Leader for the design collaboration with GAP, from concept to final fit approval.

                                                                                                              
RTW Senior Designer                                                           Los Angeles 2022 to April 2023

• Created seasonal concepts, including fabric selection, seasonal color card, mood boards. Designed

and managed the execution of the RTW collections, including outerwear, structured and soft woven,

cut and sew jersey.

• Partnered with Merchandising and Sales Departments to develop seasonal line plans and sales

strategies.

• Built, implemented and managed the design calendar for each season.

• Oversaw the styling and photo shoot for look book and campaign.

• Key person to ensure cross over seasonal concept, details, colors, and material from RTW team with

the accessories team.

KEY RESULTS

• Improved adoption rate of the 25%.

• Brought the design team into line with the corporate calendar.

• Integrated a R&D team to support the PD and the Production team.

GUESS? Inc.                                                                         Los Angeles, 2013 – 2020  

 Senior Designer for all categories, Marciano Collection

  • Oversaw execution of collections from season concepts to final production approval for all Marciano womenswear and accessories categories

  • Managed workflow of 3 designers on all Marciano categories in accordance with corporate Master Calendar. Scheduled cross-functional deliverables with Materials R&D, Graphics, Product Development/Pattern, Technical Design and Production departments

  • Built and negotiated product costs Developed and managed vendor relationships, including new vendor sourcing and lead-time price negotiations

  • Designed global advertisements and red carpets looks for Jennifer Lopez and Gigi Hadid

  • Traveled throughout Asia to manage production quality of the SMS; instructed factories on elaborate construction and design details in order to ensure brand quality.

KEY RESULTS

  • Achieved average 85% adoption rate in partnering with Merchandising and Sales Departments through developing seasonal line plans and sales strategies, and meeting company’s IMU objectives

  • Grew the sweater category from less than 5% of business to over 30% of business over 7 years, with average 150 SKU in production per year

  • Created aesthetic and operational synergy between global and US product offerings by managing the global team, starting from 2018. Traveled monthly to the Swiss-based global design office to review and develop collection

ROYAL UNDERGROUND, by Nikki Sixx and Kelly Gray        Irvine, 2007 - 2012

RTW Design Director

  • Created seasonal concepts, designs and oversaw the execution of the collections. Creation and implementation of brand image from denim and graphic t-shirts to full-scale collection, sold on the contemporary floor of Neiman Marcus, Saks fifth avenue, Nordstrom and specialty boutiques.

  • Partnered with Merchandising and Sales Departments to develop seasonal line plans and sales strategies.

  • Managed design, pattern room, and sewing room workflow and seasonal deliverables.

  • Traveled throughout Asia and India to source new vendors and manage production quality of manufacturing partner.

KEY RESULT

  • Led design efforts to successfully shift Royal Underground from a denim and t-shirt Menswear collection into a Menswear and Womenswear multi-category brand

  • Created strong leather jackets category for both Men and Women’s collections, which were featured on celebrities and prime time televisions shows

ROCK & REPUBLIC, by Victoria Beckham.               Los Angeles, 2006 - 2007                 

 Head Designer

  • Oversaw Fashion Denim and Tailor-Made collections including outerwear and dresses, from conception to completion, including direction of New York Fashion Week runway shows, inclusive of casting and styling

  • Collaborated with merchandising teams for the needs of the American and European Markets

  • Managed design team of 8, and pattern room and sewing room workflow

 

DOLCE & GABBANA                                                                  Milan, 2005 – 2006

Head Designer

  • Designed Black Label collection covering all categories, from fabric and embroideries selection to finished garments

  • Managed design and pattern team in creation of proto samples

  • Reported daily to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for concept creation to collection finalization

  • Collaborated with merchandising teams for the needs of the European and U.S.A. Markets

  • Designed custom looks for: celebrities including Jessica Alba, Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Lopez, Diana Ross and Madonna

GIORGIO ARMANI SPA                                                       Milan 2000 - 2005                    

Senior Designer Armani Collezioni Donna

  • Designed soft woven, cut & sewn and sweater categories, from fabric and yarns research to oversee the execution of proto through production

  • Reported directly to Giorgio Armani

  • Oversaw the complete creative direction and execution of seasonal look book and videos for showrooms

  • Collaborated with merchandising teams for European and U.S.A. markets to fulfill their needs

GATTINONI COUTURE                                                          Roma 1997 - 2000

Designer

  • Created mood for seasonal collections, reported directly to the creative director Guillermo Mariotto

  • Designed and developed prints, lace, macramé and embroideries for each collection

  • Specialize in cocktail and evening embroidery dresses

 

EDUCATION

·       Los Angeles 2020 “Copenhagen Business School” Sustainable Fashion online course

·       Rome 1996-1998 “Istituto Europeo di Design”

·       Rome 1991-1995 “Istituto Tecnico Commerciale Luzatti”