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Design - Apparel

Senior Fashion Designer-Creative Director

Fashion & Apparel

IDEATION TO CREATION

NIKE SWIM 

NIKE EXPLORE SWIM

NIKE SWIM 2025

<p>A dedicated and innovative women's swimwear designer with extensive experience in multi-product categories, including swimwear and activewear. Skilled in CAD development, technical packs, trend forecasting, and vendor communication. Adept at managing the design process from concept to production, ensuring alignment with brand vision and market trends. Proficient in aspects beyond design including merchandising, print selection, technical design, sourcing, styling, sales, presentation skills and trend forecasting.</p>

Led seasonal collections for Nike Swim, developing innovative performance and lifestyle apparel that aligns with Nike’s technical and sustainability goals.
Researched and identified innovative fabrics, trims, and prints, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetics and technical performance needs.
Created sketches, construction sheets, and detailed technical packs for all sample development, working closely with overseas teams for fabric sourcing.
Managed lab dip and strike-off approvals, ensuring color accuracy and material consistency.
Oversaw fit sessions, collaborated on sample corrections, and ensured seamless execution from prototype to final production.
Presented seasonal collections to stakeholders, including sales and marketing teams.


Senior Designer

Design collections for diverse swimwear and activewear brands, managing project timelines and collaborating with clients to achieve on-brand designs and market resonance.
Managed tech packs, fit development, and trend application across collections.

Freelance Fashion Designer

Led the design and development of Xhilaration by Target swimwear collections, integrating trend forecasting, fabric selection, and product development strategies.
Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely execution and cost-effective production.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, ensuring that quality, fit, and construction standards aligned with mass-market production goals.
Worked directly with vendors and mills to source raw materials, oversee lab dips/strike-offs, and approve final color and trim selections.

Designer

Purchasing categories include: footwear, bags, jewelry, sunglasses, hats, 
bath/body and men's apparel & accessories for 20 store locations.
Successfully negotiated price, terms and shipments with over 45 vendors
Researched and introduced new brands that separate Diane's from our competitors.
Worked closely with in store merchandisers to ensure product placement and provide brand knowledge for stylist.


Buyer

Designed swimwear, cover ups and men's board shorts for multiple accounts including Macy's, Dillard's and William Rast
Research & forecast trends/color for each season
Created flat sketches, CADs & line sheets for each brand
Attend appointments with art studios, purchase artwork for textile prints & graphics
Work with the art department to rework prints for swimwear
Communicate with team to source new fabrications and trims, as well as passing comments and approvals
Tech pack creation
Attend fittings - analyze fit and correct fit issues with pattern maker
Presented sewn samples to sales, merchandising buying teams at major department stores and market weeks


senior designer

Senior swimwear and cover up designer for the juniors private label brand HeartSoul.
I worked directly with the licensee on launching a new swimwear line that compliments their junior's sportswear.
Established color stories, themes, fabrications, and styling.
Responsible for all presentation CADs, tech packs and communications with the factories.
Creating brand recognition and look book by way of photo shoots. Designed multiple looks at various locations thru creative styling as well as trade show booth design and accents.


Freelance Designer

Designed high end swimwear and cover ups for the contemporary market.

Designed and developed trend-right swimwear and knitwear collections, executing technical drawings and pattern specifications.
Created detailed BOMs, tech packs, and spec packages for seamless design-to-production execution.
Led material sourcing, vendor negotiations, and fit sessions, refining silhouettes and construction techniques.
Provided creative direction and concept storytelling, ensuring product differentiation in the competitive apparel market.
Increased company earnings by designing private label, girls 7-14 swim lines for Target and junior dresses for Charlotte Russe.


Designed innovative silhouettes for each season consistent with the Op brand identity
Established seasonal design direction including mood, key inspiration, color palettes, print, pattern, and graphic direction from market research
Prepared technical packages and BOM's for patter maker and production team
Supervision of in house sample production from start to finish having expertise in fit
Presented lines to top retailers Macy's, Victoria's Secret and Diane's Swimwear.


•	Prepared and styled wardrobe for film, video, commercials and print ads for clients including Seventeen Magazine, Samsung and Dwayne Johnson

Stylist

Abigail Smith is a Senior Fashion Designer-Creative Director at Nike Swim in Huntington Beach, CA.

Abigail Smith

Abigail Smith

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Art Institute