Ijeoma Okenwa

Apparel & Technical Design Consultant · Ijeoma O! Designs

Los Angeles, CA

In My Own Words

Work Experience

Apparel & Technical Design Consultant

Ijeoma O! Designs

2012 – Present

• 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.

Toy Designer

Petco

2019 – 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.

Material Researcher

Columbia Sportswear

2014 – 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.

Urban Apparel Designer

Columbia Sportswear

2018 – 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.

Backstage Manager | Apparel Designer

Youth Junk 2 Fashion Funk

2012 – 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.

Surface Design Intern

Spoogi

2011 – 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

Assistant Manager

Vitamin World

2006 – 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