•	Mentored by JC Penney to design a collection for their stores
•	Traveled to Europe for Trend Research and Development
•	Toured Factories in Hong Kong

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Senior Footwear Designer skilled at mastering the intersection between creativity, customer needs and project management

Creative & Design

Innovative and detail-oriented Footwear Design Director with 14 years of experience delivering trend-driven, commercially successful collections across fashion, lifestyle, and comfort categories. Known for blending forward-thinking design with deep technical knowledge and business strategy, I specialize in building distinctive brand identities and product lines for both branded and private label markets. My portfolio includes work for leading retailers such as Target, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Boot Barn, Kohl's, and Shoe Carnival. I bring a cross-disciplinary approach that integrates market research, storytelling, and process efficiency to design products that resonate. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, mentoring junior designers, and aligning design vision with consumer and financial goals, I excel at managing the complete product lifecycle—from initial concept and technical development to pricing, prototyping, and production. Whether designing molded constructions for mass markets, building brands from the ground up, or strengthening global supply chain relationships, I operate at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and execution. My leadership consistently delivers elevated design, measurable growth, and meaningful team collaboration. My career started at Seychelles Footwear, where I progressed from Assistant to Lead Designer, managing BC Footwear and private label programs. I then joined Dynasty Footwear as Senior Designer, leading women’s private label collections and mentoring design teams. Most recently, I served as Design Director at PV Footwear, defining brand DNA for Volatile, Very Volatile, and Sbicca—driving category expansion, trend strategy, and double-digit growth. I feel fortunate to do the work I love! For more information contact me at: leah.salimbene@sbcglobal.nethttps://leahsalimbene.wixsite.com/mysite

Design Director

•	Design and line build core women’s private label collection from trend research and initial concept design through final product for key customers such as Target, Kohls, Payless, and JC Penney.
•	Train and manage junior staff to be knowledgeable of the design calendar, development processes and procedures, customer relations, and sample tracking.
•	Increased the buying cycle with Target by 300% by providing proven designs
•	Significantly improved team communication, efficiencies and shortened product launch times by setting up and maintaining a daily line plan utilized to keep an effective line of communication between the product team and sales team
•	Reduced sampling costs by 38% due to recommending, creating and implementing a plan to track and review all designs before final samples are made. 

Senior Footwear Designer

•	Developed a trend report now used department wide to ensure a cohesive collection.  Due to success of the report, it is also used as a key sales tool by the company’s General Merchandise Managers. 
•	Create CAD presentations and trend reports for key sales tools used in line review meetings with buyers and GMMs to devise business strategies that ensure market appropriate product.
•	Communicate with overseas team on technical design by correcting prototypes and components to ensure proper fit and design.
•	Created mini capsule collection presentations which have been adopted by the sales team and now keep the line of communication open with key customers during historically low points in the selling season. This has provided new products for customers in between meetings and increased company sales.

Designer

•	Lead designer of BC footwear and private label designer for Stitchfix, DSW, and Urban Outfitters.
•	Maintained the brand identity and market relevance by keeping updated with customer demographics, store merchandising initiatives set by retailers, and competitor market knowledge.
•	Worked with overseas technical team on developing new constructions and components through prototype fittings and tech packs to ensure company standards and creative vision were met. Have fostered and developed a successful long-term virtual working relationship with this team which has created an efficient and cost-effective project workflow.

Designer for BC Footwear

•	Worked directly under Product Director designing under the BC line. 
•	Produced technical hand sketches and detailed tech packs for overseas sample room. 
•	Devised trend direction and provided CAD design line plans that lead to increased collaboration between the product team and sales team. 
•	Attended trade shows and customer meetings effectively opening a direct line of communication between our product team and buyers. 
•	Worked closely with overseas material team and developers to create exclusive materials and print designs providing us an innovative edge over competitors. 

Assistant Designer for BC Footwear

Leah Salimbene is a Design Director at PV footwear in Los Angeles, California. View their experience, skills and work history on Malakye — the professional…

Leah Salimbene — Design Director at PV footwear

Leah Salimbene

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