Hilary Colpus Email & Phone Number

Leicester, Gb

London, England, United Kingdom

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

An online retailer and fitting specialist in plus-size men's and ladies' fashion and footwear. Responsible for quality, fit, comfort, compliance, and returns on JD Williams and Jacamo footwear.

London, United Kingdom

A multi-channel British men’s clothing retailer, which sells a full wardrobe offering, including shoes.● Accountable for maintaining and improving the quality, fit and value of all products● Responsible for developing new products including material and technical innovations● Conducting comprehensive risk assessments, including wearer trials, for suitability of products● Responsible for managing a REACH chemical and base-and-bulk physical testing regime● Creating and maintaining tech packs with product component, labelling and packaging details● Responsible for setting up and maintaining a 1st tier and 2nd tier supplier database to improve supply chain transparency, running alongside maintaining the supplier audit database. ● I took a lead role in a project to increase the number of unworn returns that were returned to stock. I reduced the number of returns that were lost to the business by 70%. This saved the company approximately £25K per season. Roughly 500 pairs per season were saved.

London, United Kingdom

A multi-channel high-street fashion brand, which operates in a number of international markets.● Fitting and grading of footwear alongside sending feedback to suppliers● Performing risk assessments and managing detailed physical testing requirements● I worked within a very dynamic, fast-paced environment, dealing with new footwear ranges every eight to 12 weeks. I worked to develop good relationships with my suppliers and colleagues. I reviewed faulty product returns and any faulty deliveries to the warehouse from suppliers.

London, United Kingdom

British global fashion retailer with a chain of high-street stores and online presence.● Managing the fit and grading of footwear and maintaining fit standards in a fast-paced environment● Managing complex chemical testing requirements for international markets● Assessing worn returns from retail and liaising with suppliers and management on any recalls● Managing risk assessment of footwear and ensuring suppliers conformed to safety testing● As part of the footwear team, we successfully rolled out and managed a new, full chemical testing regime for all suppliers. We were able to advise the clothing teams across the business.

A footwear supplier to the UK high street and fast fashion markets.● Creating mood boards and designing products from those inspiration boards● Writing sample specifications for factories, and meeting with customers

Leicester, United Kingdom

A footwear supplier to the UK high street, supermarkets, and online retailers.● Providing technical support to customers and factories. Reviewing intake into the warehouse● Managing design and sampling process from concept to production, ensuring all samples were made as specified and on time by liaising daily with Indian and FE factory base● Assessing worn returns from retail and liaising with suppliers and management on any recalls● I successfully reduced sampling quantities by about 20% by delivering high-quality CAD artwork using Illustrator and Photoshop for customers to buy from. I produced detailed CAD drawings and detailed specifications for footwear. This saved time and money.● I provided technical support to the factories, liaising with the design and technical directors. I advised on fit and aesthetic amendments concerning customer requirements. I also helped with pattern cutting and shoemaking problems when we did not have a technical manager.

Hong Kong, Uk.

Freelance design service to various footwear brands.● Working with brands including Van Dal Shoes, Superhouse, Heavenly Feet and Deer Tracks● Collaborating with brand managers to create mood boards and designing products● I moved to Hong Kong with my partner in May 2006. Whilst there, I worked on a freelance basis. When I returned to the UK in 2011, I continued to work on a freelance basis.

Kettering, Northamptonshire

A UK manufacturer and wholesaler of men’s and ladies casual, leather footwear branded Padders.● Collaborating with the sales manager and sales team to create ranges and gain feedback● Designing product and components plus creating detailed specifications● Liaising with and travelling to factories, presenting ranges to management, product, sales teams● Working with factory manager on production issues as well as sample development● I delivered improvement in the comfort and quality of the footwear range. I persuaded the factory manager to switch to a new production method to make the shoes more flexible and comfortable. I moved sampling from UK factories. This saved the company £150K and drove up sales.● Thanks to my new production method pitch, the company reduced the UK labour content, meaning costs were reduced by £100K per year. The rejection rate was cut from 3% to 1%.

Leicester, United Kingdom

Leicester, United Kingdom

Street, Somerset, Uk

Leicester, United Kingdom

Ba (Hons) Upper Second, Footwear Design And Manufacture, 2:1

Btec, Fashion And Textiles, Distinction

Education record

Fashion'S Future And Sustainable Development Goals, Fashion/Apparel Design