Linda Snyder
Director Of Design and Product Development · Sól Activewear
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA
In My Own Words
Talented apparel design and manufacturing professional with over 25 years experience in every facet of product development. Expert in development of all classifications of women’s, men’s, children’s woven, knitted, and stretch apparel.
Work Experience
Director Of Design and Product Development
Sól Activewear2001 – Present
• Successfully combine strategy, vision, and mission planning to forward corporate goals. • Execute apparel merchandising strategy that delivers category objectives for sales growth, gross margin targets.• Write seasonal product briefs, based on market research of the competitive landscape, to ensure a cohesive apparel line that is innovative, on trend, and brand relevant. • Establish vision for product line.• Establish vision for printed and digital marketing collateral.• Conduct industry analysis, market research, consumer research, and competitive analysis.• Research hi-performance textile and trim markets.• Develop products, recommend materials, and construction techniques.• Review proofs of marketing collateral and sign off to go live or to print.• Work with patternmakers and sample makers to create prototypes.• Create and maintain style sheets.• Provide all aesthetic, material, and vendor information to cross functional teams.• Build collaborative cross function relationships.• Research, identify, and profile new suppliers and factories as potential sources for both new and existing product. • Conduct fittings in conjunction with Technical Designer(s) until production prototype approval.• Work with domestic A+ rated active sports sewing contractors as necessary.• Conduct trademark searches, supervise artwork creation, review licensing rules, and understand the general licensed apparel marketplace. • Travel through Europe researching design.• Travel to Far East to collaborate with agents, mills, and factories.• Research, design, develop, and re-color custom prints - approve strike-offs.• Develop custom color wovens and knits - approve lab dips.• Develop custom dye sublimation patterns – yard goods, garment printed and engineered.• Coordinate materials testing.
Design Director
STEPS1991 – 2001
• Conceptualized direction of line and marketing collateral for each season. • Signed off on color palettes, materials, silhouettes, patterns, fit.• Supervised design room of eight.• Traveled to Europe to conduct design research.
Product Manager
Van Heusen1988 – 1991
Women's product team leader for in-house sourcing division of the retail store division. Responsible for design direction and product development of women’s sportswear for 350+ stores. Worked closely with Corporate Retail Buyers to achieve financial goals. Developed custom woven/knit fabrics,and prints. Prepared technical design packages for offshore sourcing. Maintained tech pack documents. Worked closely with corporate Far East office following up all phases of product development through to production samples. Maintained communication logs. Approved lab dips. Approved fit. Approved final sample. Traveled throughout Europe researching design.
Lead Designer/Product Manager
J. Crew, Inc.1985 – 1988
Started in-house design department for women’s and men’s wear. Worked with Design Director to conceptualize line. Researched New York textile market and designed body styling. Gave visual and oral presentations to groups of colleagues up to thirty. Illustrated artwork for presentations. Supervised sample room of eight. Prepared design packages for production department. Conducted fittings. Approved final fit sample prior to production. Designed custom printed fabric for garments and accessories.
Designer
Sparrs - Retail Division of J.G. Hook, Inc.1981 – 1985
Responsible for overall design direction of multiple and diverse better ladies sportswear collections for the Sparr's stores (retail division of J.G. Hook). Researched the New York textile market and designed body styling. Led weekly design meetings. Gave visual and oral presentations for groups up to twelve. Illustrated artwork for presentations. Supervised sample room of six. Conducted fittings. Approved final sample prior to production. Designed custom printed fabric for garments and accessories.
Designer's Assistant
J. G. Hook, Inc. - Wholesale Division1980 – 1981
Made first samples, draped and flat from Designer's sketch. Cut first samples and supervised sample makers. Created presentation boards with flat and illustrative sketches.
