Kelly Miller Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Greater Chicago Area

Greater Chicago Area

Greater Chicago Area

Greater Chicago Area

Dallas, Texas + Greater Chicago Area

Greater Chicago Area

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Consulted for a start-up active apparel company selling to boutiques, gyms and studios via multiple showrooms with a focus on providing high performance supplex clothing designed to slim, activate and motivate women. As a corporate sponsor of Autism Speaks, SAM is dedicated to providing community support and contributing a portion of company proceeds back to the organization.Core Responsibilities: •Managed creative direction and seasonal themes/prints to produce a cohesive brand identity and vision•Researched emerging market trends, anticipated and translated future trends (with consideration to customer attitudes and lifestyles) effectively communicated these concepts into the design process•Led product design process from conception to consumption by managing production/ design teams•As specified by CEO, created original/exclusive apparel designs within cost, style and market constraints•Provided in-depth creative insight through seasonal reports, city buying trip guides and competitive analysis•Attended all industry tradeshows relevant trend seminars to enhance knowledge of current focuses•Communicated with overseas factories and effectively directed the production team in the transfer of essential technical spec information•Attended fit sessions/ reviews with technical design team to ensure new products stay true to concept•Actively participated in marketing and sales analysis to facilitate positive sales growth and improvements in product development

Indianapolis, Indiana Area

One of the leading suppliers of custom-imprinted products for the promotional products industry with over 5,000 marketed items and hundreds of new introductions each year. Bic Graphic/Norwood sells exclusively through distributors of promotional products/advertising specialties. Core Responsibilities: •Designed new cut and sew product range for each catalog season and oversaw from concept to completion•Managed the entire product life cycle of the Bags, Meeting and Outdoor products from ideation through deletion, including evaluation of the assortment, pricing, forecasting and catalog creation •Oversaw new product identification/ development to create directional collection for each subcategory •Anticipated and identified trend curves, translated to product concepts including color, fabric, styling stories •Presented and led educational training sessions to sales account managers on colors, materials and trends•Partnered with Asian factories, including bi-annual visits, to source and conceptualize product line •Analyzed sales, profits, pricing and market share objectives to develop strategy for new products •Successfully negotiated costing/ MOQ with overseas vendors to meet minimum margin goals. •Traveled domestically/internationally to industry trade shows, events and prime retail research locations•Directed key development meetings with the Hong Kong global buying/ sourcing office to monitor new development progress

Indianapolis, Indiana Area

Manufacturer of a comprehensive range of dance and gymnastics athletic apparel designed specifically for dancers and gymnasts. All apparel is manufactured in-house in the US and sold through dance/gymnastics boutiques, gyms and distributors.Core Responsibilities: •Designed seasonal athletic apparel collections from concept to fit-approved samples•Supervised the planning, organizing and producing of semi-annual new line presentations•Guided course of action and suggested strategy to senior management regarding trend direction•Created seasonal color palette concepts specific to the performance apparel industry•Successfully managed new product range including design, technical fit, construction and fabric•Supervised model fittings and proto revision sessions with technical design team•Traveled to industry trade shows including MAGIC, Material World, and DRN •Conceptualized, planned, and implemented annual fashion presentation for U.S. sales force•Performed color comments and approvals for lab dips, yarn dye patterns, and pre-production quality

Bloomington, Indiana Area

Located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, Indiana. Bridal Essentials offers a carefully curated selection of upscale bridal designers such as Pronovias, Maggie Sottero and Justin Alexander.Core Responsibilities: •Managing the sales floor, key holder with opening and closing store duties.•Provided customer service and styling during all bridal appointments and fittings.•Oversaw all buying meetings with bridal sales representatives to ensure a cohesive and well rounded merchandise assortment for upcoming seasons•Conceptualized and created all boutique visual window and store displays.•Assisted boutique owner in managerial duties including interviewing, hiring and training new employees.•Directed, planned, and implemented annual fashion presentation for the Bloomington Bridal Show.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Upscale men’s and women’s apparel retailer with 40 plus stores throughout the country, as well as a catalog and website presence. The company produced four private label brands sold through their stores, catalog and website designed at the Dallas corporate headquarters.Core Responsibilities: •Aided colorist with projects involving color and original prints, color forecasting and color palettes•Assisted in color comments and approvals for lab dips and yarn dye patterns•Created and maintained a new archival system for all original and purchased textile designs•Developed tech packs and created flats and measurement instructions for overseas vendor manuals

Bloomington, Indiana Area

Overseen by Indiana University’s department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design, the collection contains a permanent museum section and a hands- on section used for classroom instruction and student research. The Elizabeth Sage Collection has served as a resource for students, professionals, and the public for the past 70 years.Core Responsibilities: •Assisted curator in the unpacking and conservation of willed gifts from Chesbrough Lewis Hall Rayner•Maintained the archival system and cataloged for all pieces gifted from the late Chessy Rayner estate•Enhanced historical knowledge of garments, the style icon’s aesthetic and interior design career

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Apparel Merchandising

Activities and Societies: Apparel Merchandising Organization

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Fashion Design

Activities and Societies: Apparel Merchandising Organization