Fashion

Lifestyle

Skate

Streetwear

Surf

Outdoor

Swim

Yoga

Health & Fitness

Punk

Contemporary art

Hip-hop

Rock & roll

Soul

Midcentury art

Midcentury architecture & furniture.

Vintage clothing from 70's

80's

90's surf

R&b record collecting.

Design Director

Top Management

Creative director and design consultant with proven expertise developing contemporary menswear collections for emerging and established brands. Brings an unconventional approach to design heavily rooted in fine arts and craftsmanship. Excels at transforming a creative vision into cohesive collections across multiple categories, with a strong background working with luxury brands. 

Blends a strong eye for innovation with an appreciation for authentic vintage style, and an elevated taste level to drive a brand’s design forward. Well-versed in the apparel construction process, including fabric selection, washes, and fits.

Creative Consultant/Freelance Mens Designer

Provides creative and style direction to the design team in developing apparel concepts for four menswear lines per year, including licensed collections. Additionally, oversees the denim division with creative insight around fits, washes, and packaging. 

Communicates seasonal line direction to product developers and merchants to ensure new styles align with the brand vision and aesthetic. Develops mood boards to communicate trends, colors, trims, patterns, and prints. Sources fabrics with emphasis on quality and color. Supervises fittings from development through production. Styles seasonal collections in preparation for look book photo shoots, buyer consultations, and for presentation to fashion directors from luxury retailers.

Creative Director / Consultant – Menswear

Consulted as creative director and design lead for the men’s division following departure of the brand’s founder. Repositioned a mature vintage surf brand as a key player in the contemporary lifestyle marketplace by expanding the menswear collection to include new styles while maintaining its signature classic aesthetic. 

Directed all aspects of apparel design and development from concept through production. Provided direction to product development staff and production partners in Los Angeles. Guided efforts to move production overseas to enable greater cost savings and growth.

VP, Design – Menswear

Sole designer tasked with building out a menswear division as an extension of the highly successful women’s label. Gradually evolved the division from a complementary knitwear brand into a multi-million-dollar sportswear collection with a solid vision and foundation for growth. Directed a team of design assistants, technical designers, product developers, and patternmakers in producing four collections per year. 

Developed design concepts and sketches for all collections. Introduced a line of woven tops and expanded the category to also include outerwear, leather jackets, and bottoms. Traveled to the New York showroom to assist stylists and accompany the sales team during showings. 

VP, Men's Design

Developed the emerging contemporary men’s brand with backing from Lucky Brand founders. Led a team of technical and graphic designers, pattern makers, sewers, and product developers in producing and photographing four collections per year across all categories (cut and sew knits, wovens, denim). Supervised domestic production in downtown Los Angeles, and managed relationships with overseas partners in Italy, Japan, and China. 

Designed the walk short, pant, and jacket categories for a leader in the action sports apparel industry.

Menswear Designer

Michael Patterson is a Design Director at Birdwell in Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA.

Michael Patterson — Design Director at Birdwell

Michael Patterson — Design Director at Birdwell

Michael Patterson

Skills

Interests

Industries

Education history

California State University, Long Beach

Rhode Island School of Design