Ali Smart Email & Phone Number

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

Specializing in Lingerie & Swimwear on the Gerber CAD system.Team Lead in the QA department.Ensuring all fits across the dept meet the Company standards and requirements for fit, quality and construction.Responsible for swimwear/lingerie block pattern making, grading, fit and specifications.Evaluating and amending all sampling until approved to production.

Auckland, New Zealand

TECHNICAL DESIGNER AND GRADER (Mar 20 12 June 2014)Rose and Thorne Design. Auckland NZhttp://www.roseandthorne.com/ A small elite team with decades of experience joined together to form this new lingerie brand in 2011 after being made redundant from Bendon. We incorporated forgiving fit technology into the garments that accommodated changes in the body without causing discomfort. Specific shapes were designed and created for different body types.• Responsible for the pattern making, alterations and grading of all styles using the Gerber CAD system.• Tasked to work on technically specialised projects such as mastectomy, maternity and d-g cup sizes. • Fitting and approving all garments alongside the lead designer and director.• Liaising with the overseas factory and giving detailed instructions for sampling and any amendments to pattern.• Working closely with local machinist to ensure correct construction and fit on sampling before going into production.• Overseeing the wear testing of new products that are given to various age groups and body types, collating the information received from each tester and invoking any changes necessary to pattern so that the best quality and fitting product is achieved.• Selection of trims and components suitable for each size range and style.• Compilation of all necessary specification sheets and technical packs.• Developing new wire shapes, gauges and moulded cups.

Auckland, New Zealand

PATTERN AND FIT TECHNICIAN (Feb 2012-Sept 2012 Fixed term contract)We’ar It Yoga and Street Wear Clothing. Auckland NZhttp://wearyogaclothing.com/• Hired on a short fixed term contract.• Working specifically to produce a wide range of well-fitting block patterns for the collection. Incl: Hoodies, pants, tops and dresses etc.• Attending fit meetings with the designer and amending pattern as required.• Grading of all patterns when fit was approved and signed off.• Worked closely with a local garment machinist to ensure correct sample construction for production.• Compiling spec sheets and measurement charts for each style.

Auckland, New Zealand

TECHNICAL FITTER AND GRADER (Mar 2009-Dec 2011)Bendon, Auckland. NZhttp://www.bendonlingerie.co.nz/Brought over by Bendon from the UK to be their pattern grader and multi product fit technologist. I worked across all brands and all products incl: loungewear, nightwear, sports bras and lingerie.• Responsible for collaborating with the Designers and providing constructive advise on the best fabrications and style lines to achieve the desired aesthetics across all sizes.• Compile detailed drawings of amendments required and advise PDM’s on alterations and grading requirements for the overseas factories to action.• Attend all fit sessions for all Brands and approve fits at each critical sealing stage.• Work closely with the Designers on any technical aspects that would arise, specifically on the larger cup sizes and aid them in the creation of the first patterns.• Grade the technically challenging patterns for the EMI and Stella McCartney brands, making all necessary changes to pattern as required. • Compile measurements specs and diagrams for all grades.• Ensure consistency of fit within each brand.• Aid in the development of moulded cups and wires.• Strive to achieve tight deadlines in order to meet crucial dates.

London, United Kingdom

TECHNICAL GRADER AND FITTER (Jan 2007-Mar 2009)Shock Absorber, International Sports Brand based in London UK (Voted No:1 in Europe)http://www.shockabsorber.co.uk/• Managed a small team of pattern graders, working on a wide range of sportswear including technically produced leggings, jackets , running pants, tanks, supportive swimwear and bras. • Specializing in high performance award winning sports bras ranging from low impact level 1 through to high impact level 4.• Worked closely with fabric technicians selecting the best performing technical fabrics and trims required for the highest quality results.• Collaborating with the Designers advising on the best style lines and aesthetics for each product to achieve the best results throughout the vast size ranges.• All grading and pattern making was done using the Gerber cad system. • Ensured that the strict critical path deadlines were achieved. • Overseeing all the fittings and approving fit at each critical sealing stage until final approval for production.• Responsible for liaising with the overseas factories and consolidation of technical packs required for production.• Worked closely with the onsite sample machinists to ensure an excellent level of quality and best construction methods.• Producing detailed measurement specifications for each product.• Worked closely with the Designers, PD’s and Fabric Techs to achieve a highly regarded product.

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Working for a leading M & S lingerie supplier. Grading all aspects of lingerie ranging from camisoles to specialty bras. Grading clothing and Thermals for Gap, John Lewis, O’Bryans, Fig Leaves and working closely with the company’s Nightwear Department.All pattern amendments and grading was done using the Gerber CAD system. I compiled all relevant size charts and specification sheets in accordance with my work. Responsible for perfecting 1st patterns from Design, doing any necessary pattern amendments, fittings and grading through to the required size range for production.I liaised daily with our clients and customers all over the world, either by Email or phone. Attended fit meetings with Marks and Spencer’s in London and was involved with all aspects of the sealing process. Worked to a tight critical path and achieved deadlines.Also worked closely with the Costings Department inputting and grading all patterns within the business and compiling all the information they needed to do their costs.; Worked as a pattern technician and bra grader for M & S lingerie. Extensive use of the Gerber CAD system.Altered patterns as required and compiled measurement specs and Production packs.Attended all fit sessions.

Nottingham, United Kingdom

PATTERN TECHNICIAN / BRA GRADER (Jan 2001- Jan 2004)Stirling Group. Nottingham. UK• Pattern Technician for a leading M & S lingerie supplier. • Responsible for perfecting 1st patterns from the Designers, fit amendments and the grading of all lingerie pieces, ranging from camisoles, sleepwear to speciality bras and thermals. • I was also responsible for the premium brands Wild Hearts by Colette Dinnegan, Figleaves and Gap.• Involved in all levels of the sealing process, ensuring the quality of fit at each stage.• All pattern amendments and grading was done using the Gerber CAD system, whilst creation of size charts, fit logs and all other specification sheets were compiled using Microsoft office programs.• Representing the company I would attend weekly fit meetings with the buyers at M&S.• Consolidating necessary information for the overseas factories technical packs.• Worked to a tight critical path and achieved deadlines.

Kingswood Uk

Fantasie Textiles. Kingswood. UKHand Grading mainly swimwear and some lingerie until the company introduced Lectra. Responsible for compiling Production packs, size charts and any other info in accordance with my work.Progressed to Pattern Technician before leaving to raise a family.