Ijeoma Okenwa
Ijeoma Okenwa
Apparel & Technical Design Consultant
Los Angeles | United States
Skills
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Interests
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Work experience
Ijeoma O! Designs
Apparel & Technical Design Consultant | 10/2012 - Current
• Partners with firms on diversity campaigns to further identify and engage underrepresented consumers in the apparel market.
• Composes vegan streetwear projects for clients using multiple resources including social + market research & trend analysis.
• Utilizes 2D technical sketches showcasing CAD illustrations, color ways, and concept boards following clients inspiration.
• Manages projects in Illustrator & Excel while working closely with Project Managers & Design.
• Creates, updates, and maintains tech packs, BOMs, product specifications and measures all production fit samples.
• Actively communicates design fit adjustments in fit sessions and revises production tech packs.
• Designed, constructed & patterned custom made-to-order pieces & repaired Gore-Tex® and Poly-Carbon garments.
• Clients: The S-Group, JLD-Studios, MSR-FSR, and Custom Design Partners for made-to-order pieces.
• Fun Fact: Designed for the NFL, Collegiate teams, and various Private Label brands.
Petco
Toy Designer | 07/2019 - 07/2019
• Assisted in product development at all stages under guidance of Senior Toy Designer/Design Manager for Marvel Comic categories.
• Provided support to Sr Toy Designer/Director during design driven meetings.
• Adhered to seasonal timeline calendar to meet deliverables.
Columbia Sportswear
Material Researcher | 11/2014 - 09/2018
• Oversaw 1000+ Print & Yarn-Dye developments for all Performance, Lifestyle Sportswear, and Accessories categories.
• Traveled abroad to learn, build relationships, and ensure delivery of materials with liaisons & factories.
• Inspired cross functional partners with season-less material visions.
• Fun Fact: Flown to Asia in October 2017 to source materials for all categories @ Intertextiles & gain factory knowledge.
Columbia Sportswear
Urban Apparel Designer | 01/2018 - 09/2018
• Developed & nurtured meaningful, long-lasting relationships with key opinion leaders to obtain feedback and development guidance.
• Designed & developed 1,760 garments shipped globally to 4 continents through the Apparel Product Development cycle.
• Urban Designer for Columbia Sportswear x Opening Ceremony Collaboration Projects & Men’s Outerwear Eco Projects.
• Managed projects in Adobe Illustrator while working closely with Merchandisers, Product Engineers, Fit Engineers, and Technical Designers.
• Created innovative concepts & collaborated with technical designers & fit engineers to ensure garments were executed correctly.
Youth Junk 2 Fashion Funk
Backstage Manager | Apparel Designer | 03/2012 - 04/2012
• http://youthjunkfashionfunk.wix.com/home#!featured-designers
• Managed, trained & choreographed 25 youth models, 15 youth dressers, and 22 designers for a fundraising event for homeless youth.
• Designed fabric manipulated vegan garments inspired by Nigerian Hip-Hop & one Roxy Athletix piece.
• Techniques used: heat-manipulated fabric graphics, screen prints, hand painting, and appliqués.
Spoogi
Surface Design Intern | 10/2011 - 12/2011
• Conceptualized a surf-wear project for Quiksilver/Roxy, SWELL, PacSun, Matix, Volcom & Billabong
• Executed & created various graphics, stencils, appliqués, dyes, and various textile printing styles
• Fun Fact: My uncanny eye for detail and heat-manipulated textiles design landed me this role
Vitamin World
Assistant Manager | 05/2006 - 11/2007
• Trained, motivated, and oversaw new employees
• Operated the register, outlined daily goals and filed and mailed paperwork
• Opened/closed store and recorded the previous day’s sales