A.A. in Apparel Manufacturing Management and Fashion Design

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Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant

Specialist & Consultant

I am a Creative Director and Head Designer with over 20 years of successful international experience in building and evolving brands, directing creative/design teams, and working on all categories in men's, women's, and kid's wear.  I have an entrepreneurial mind, yet a creative and scientific  approach to my work.  I am brand-lover and a product expert.  

I enjoy helping brands evolve, turnaround, start new divisions, and make big steps fast while being extremely resourceful to get there.   I have lots of experience as a real Creative Director as well with heavy focus on and years worth of successful experience working in the studio, on location, and directing creative photoshoot + creative marketing teams through the process to create content, make look-books, global ad campaigns, and etc..  

I also speak the digital language as I have a lot of well rounded EComm experience, this includes digital marketing as well.  I have built web-shops and the businesses associated with them, additionally digital brand direction inside the UX and social media channels also.  

I look forward to helping great creative teams move forward innovatively + successfully in this new digital economy we live in right now. Please feel free to email me or contact me directly here on this platform or in LinkedIn.

Christian :)

I have been consulting for years now for multiple organizations, I am focused on creative and design, brand evolution, creative marketing and all social media + digital marketing.  

Executive Consultant; Creative/Design, Brand/Marketing

• Direct & execute all aspects of creative, brand, design, merchandising, marketing for mens division.
• Strong 100% divisional growth in 1 season.
• Developed comprehensive vision for mens division; concept, product & marketing strategies.
• Hands on design & development, and photoshoot execution.
• Partner closely with commercial team & owners on all aspects of brand, product & business.
• Re-branding, photoshoots, labeling, marketing creative- Kinross womenswear.

Direct all aspects of creative, brand, design, creative marketing/VM for all divisions, accessories,
and footwear for men's, women's & kids; includes 21 By McGregor.
• Head of Design; 3 Design Director direct reports + teams.
• Developed a new brand strategy; heritage based, includes creation/launch of 21 By McGregor + new
retail store concepts for mens, womens & 21 By McGregor, includes trade show stands.
• Created thorough & detailed presentation of "Brand Filters"; applied to whole brand to keep vision
clear & consistent; includes new branding/labeling.
• Worked closely with digital team for new online experience, responsible for photography/video & creative content.
• Deliver frequent, international brand presentations.
• Introduced critical women's re-branding initiative; new design team + "brand filters".

Creative Director

Directed all women's creative for product, visual merchandising, and marketing, including online
brand experience & all brand photography.
• Worked closely with CEO & Executive Team as a turn-around executive to re-position the brand
strategically and restructure operations, resulting ultimately in a successful company sale.

Women's Creative Director

Responsible for full cycle introduction of a new better-contemporary brand from design to concept
to final presentation.
• Worked directly with Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Laura Dern, and Ben Harper.
•   Directed all product development functions, including manufacturing and sourcing, and built
partnerships/operations from scratch on an extremely aggressive timetable.
•   Delivered the collection successfully - sold to Barneys, Fred Segal, Intermix, Scoop, and other top-
tier target customers.

Propr, Head Designer

• Conceptualized, branded, and operationalized a new women's designer/luxury label.
• Developed all product, marketing, PR, website, sales, and pricing strategies.
• Led a cross-functional team of 8 FTE through the brand launch, including fashion shows with all
major retailers/press/celebs in attendance.
• Directed and coordinated all patternmaking, fabric/trim development, fittings, and sample/production development.
• Initiated and maintained strong relationships with all vendors and partners.
• Directed a full team including design, PR, sales, finance/legal & branding.
• Successfully launched product at premium retailers (eg. Harvey Nichols, Takashimaya, Bergdorf's)

Creative Director/President

• Managed the men's product teams.
• Responsible for all design, merchandising, product development, production, pricing, and sourcing.
• Led high-level product and marketing strategies/initiatives in Luxury Golf Market.
• Presented product vision to large cross-functional and executive audiences.

Men's Design Director

Head Design & Creative Director

Senior Designer

• Built the Original Penguin business from $0 - $80 million in revenue in less than 5 years.
• Functioned as company Creative Director plus Head of Design for all aspects of design for 5 labels,
plus national roll-out of Penguin's retail stores.
• Managed separate men's, women's, graphic design, and tech design teams.
• Work closely with Perry Ellis CEO on strategic planning for all aspects of Original Penguin brand.
• Drove all brand photography direction & execution, including online, lookbook, and campaign.
• Merchandised every collection side by side with company President.
• Introduced various new product lines and a licensee business that scaled revenue rapidly.
• Travel the world frequently for inspirational and manufacturing requirements.
• Began as a Designer in 2002 and promoted twice up to Design & Creative Director by 2005.
• Awarded 2004 Perry Ellis Designer of The Year, 2005/06 winners both members of my design team.

Designer

• Focused on knitwear, wovens, and denim.
• Moodboards, vintage shopping, seasonal concept (styles, color & artworks).
• Very technical/fitting, wash/development intensive.
• Presented to senior executives, including Ralph and Jerry Lauren.
• Was back at RRL after JCrew, & continued to help Ralph/RRL with side projects through 2004.

Freelance Designer

Performed market research and designed 2 collections for a full collection launch of a new
worldwide beach concept.
• Traveled globally (UK, Europe, Middle East, and East Asia) for R&D of concept.
• Presented regularly to Speedo International President and upper management teams.

Design/Marketing Consultant

Christian Arkins is a Creative Director + Head of Menswear Consultant at Multiple Organizations in BROOKLYN, NY.

Christian Arkins

Christian Arkins

Skills

Interests

Industries

Education history

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

Muhlenberg College