KIPLING OVERVIEW

Categories: Handbags, Totes, Accessories, Backpacks, Luggage, Travel, Baby-bags and product extensions.

Implement seasonal design direction per season, in liaison with seasonal inspiration and market research. Effectively communicate inspiration boards and oversee proper executions with design team.Oversee and review design sketches, style development and all other designs aspects.Partner with cross-functional teams on merchandise sales, retail and product development teams on sample line phases to adhere to seasonal design calendar. Direct and approve the execution of sample development process, technical data, and quality control from prototype through to final approved sample and ensure line completion for market.Conduct design team meetings, implementing adherence to design strategy.Supervise communication overseas, problem solving with factories.Seasonal line presentations to management, retail, sales, etc.Track each employee’s progress and conduct regular performance reviews.Responsible for design department financial budgets.   Extensive travel to Asia for seasonal research and development, to Europe for market research and trend fairs, USA for store openings and research on target markets.

Key achievements:

Leader in innovation within and beyond Kipling’s iconic heritage material. Successfully implement new seasonal design calendar and technical documents resulting in streamlining processes and improving adoption percentages. Built cross-department relationships with Merchandising, Marketing and Visual Merchandizing to ensure a cohesive “one-brand” vision. Design and developed innovation Hybrid Luggage collaboration with HGTV Celebrity David Bromstad; launch September 2015.  Partner with leading members of VF and external agencies on new customization and personalization projects. Clearly identified material and trim executions on new brand architecture identifying new territories and business opportunities. Partnered with P/D to kick-off new PLM system with the aim of global alignment.