Managing Frahm’s Product Department from design concept through to production delivery.

Managing Frahm’s Product Department from design concept through to production delivery.

Freelance Product Development & Sourcing Consultant

• Developing the mainline and core range closely with the design and merchandising department to ensure the balance between brand DNA, technical attributes, quality, fit and margin are met.• Creating and refining the seasonal critical path to improve department processes whilst maintaining alignment across the business.• Managing the annual department budget and monthly cash-flow planning.• Leading the cost negotiation with suppliers together with value engineering to increase the… Show more • Developing the mainline and core range closely with the design and merchandising department to ensure the balance between brand DNA, technical attributes, quality, fit and margin are met.• Creating and refining the seasonal critical path to improve department processes whilst maintaining alignment across the business.• Managing the annual department budget and monthly cash-flow planning.• Leading the cost negotiation with suppliers together with value engineering to increase the departments over-all margin.• Managing the seasonal testing of all product and components. Trouble-shooting failures and identifying potential issues during the design stage.• Implementing the business strategy for all new products to be sustainable whilst balancing this with margin targets.• Sourcing new factories and suppliers to adapt to our evolving product offer and supplement our main supplier base to increase competitiveness.• Allocating all styles based on factory competencies, capacity and historic CMT prices.• Manage the on-time production of all SMS and wearer-trail’s.• Liaising closely with production department to trouble-shoot any bulk production issues.• Regular travel to manufacturers and trade shows in Europe and Far East.• Developing Co-Lab ranges and ad-hoc quick response product launches. Show less

• My main tasks joining Vulpine were to put systems and structures in place for the product creation department to run in a professional and less reactive manner and to facilitate business growth targets.• Managing design and development for both the mainline range and the Hoy X Vulpine Co-Lab range.• Training and managing a small team of designer’s, developer’s & production professionals, both permanent and freelance.• Implementing a new seasonal design structure in the business to… Show more • My main tasks joining Vulpine were to put systems and structures in place for the product creation department to run in a professional and less reactive manner and to facilitate business growth targets.• Managing design and development for both the mainline range and the Hoy X Vulpine Co-Lab range.• Training and managing a small team of designer’s, developer’s & production professionals, both permanent and freelance.• Implementing a new seasonal design structure in the business to include creative directions, range reviews for design, colour and fabric before range sign-off. This substantially lowered changes during the development process.• Extending the critical path. This allowed for more time for product creation TP’s, commenting and wearer trial program. This created a smoother development process for the company and our vendors, resulting in an improved production process.• Substantially growing the range in terms of product offering and style count to give our customers more variety in product and to meet business growth strategy. • Responsible for the range architecture in terms of product offer, price tiers and margin. Average margin increased from 63% to 77%.• Managing the seasonal buy based on sales analysis with e-commerce, identifying bestsellers, high margin categories, fabric, and factory MOQ’s.• Sourcing new manufacturers and fabric mills in the UK, Europe, and the Far East to improve and increase our supplier base, spread risk and improve margin by cross quoting.• Implementing size and grade standards for the brand by looking at our competitors and the larger fashion market for bench marking. This gave the customer continuity when buying and reduced our returns rate.• Setting and managing department budget.• Regular travel to manufacturers and trade shows in the UK, Europe and Far East. Show less

Working closely with QA Manager to ensure menswear, womenswear, accessories and footwear sealing samples, pre-shipment and bulk production, meet high quality standards and design’s aesthetic sign-off.

• Develop apparel product for the newly created department Select, from initial design direction through to sealing. High-end designer collaborations, both inline and short lead time special projects. Streamlining the process working with external brand partners to meet critical path.• Implemented new structure of the development department to streamline and meet business needs, through effective communication with all departments and a flexible work approach. • Manage the Lifestyle… Show more • Develop apparel product for the newly created department Select, from initial design direction through to sealing. High-end designer collaborations, both inline and short lead time special projects. Streamlining the process working with external brand partners to meet critical path.• Implemented new structure of the development department to streamline and meet business needs, through effective communication with all departments and a flexible work approach. • Manage the Lifestyle range developed directly out of the Far East and Europe. Ensuring each range has a consistent handwriting and fulfils brand expectations from product developers based in various locations in the Far East and Europe, through effective communication and feedback.• Represent Group Head of Development in her absence (based in Hong Kong) at meetings and reviews at London Design Centre and German Head Quarters. • Train and manage international development team.• Coordinate and lead all fit meetings.• Pre-allocate the collections each season according to fabric groups and manufacturer capabilities.• Extensive foreign travel to manufacturers in Asia and Europe. Onsite development to finalise inline prototypes & prices.• Strong working relationships within a small team of Developers, Designers and Product Managers. Together with external partners and across the various international HQ’s.• Market visits to ensure market and trend awareness. Attending trade shows, fashion capitals and suppliers to explore new developments. Show less

• Managing development from initial design direction stage through to sealing. Generating the technical development packages to communicate intended construction and aesthetic to manufacturing partners overseas.• Contribute ideas for product construction, fabric, and components to enhance functionality, aesthetics, fit and profit margin.• Managing both men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel collections together with smaller fashion ranges such as the Hussein Chalayan directed Urban… Show more • Managing development from initial design direction stage through to sealing. Generating the technical development packages to communicate intended construction and aesthetic to manufacturing partners overseas.• Contribute ideas for product construction, fabric, and components to enhance functionality, aesthetics, fit and profit margin.• Managing both men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel collections together with smaller fashion ranges such as the Hussein Chalayan directed Urban Mobility.• Manage and support Junior Developers and interns.• Daily communication with manufacturers in Asia and EU - managing sample process and testing. Show less

Developing apparel product for both men’s and women’s ranges from initial design direction through to sealing.

Developing apparel product for both men’s and women’s ranges from initial design direction through to sealing.

Working as part of a small team for high-end luxury fashion label showing at both London & New York Fashion Week.Assisting the Production Manager on all aspects of the production process – from sampling through to shipping for women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and footwear.Liaising with various UK factories on sampling and production.QC checks on production.Ordering fabrics and trims from European fabric mills and suppliers for sampling and production.