Sara Davison
Technical Apparel Development · SARA Technical Apparel
Oxnard, CA
In My Own Words
I have over 15 years of experience in creating innovative, functional, and quality-driven products for the outdoor industry, specializing in niche categories like fly-fishing, workwear, and technical surf categories. As the product development team lead at Patagonia, I managed all aspects of the product creation life-cycle, from concept to market launch - complex R&D projects & beyond collaborating with internal teams, domestic & overseas factories, field testers, ambassadors & repair teams to delivery industry disrupting products.
I am passionate about closing the loop on gear and apparel product life-cycle, keeping products out of landfills, consuming less but higher quality, and raising industry standards. I have received multiple honors and awards for my product development and design, including the best new wader and wading boot products and the best sun-protection pieces in the world multiple times over. I have skills in new category/business development launching Patagonia Workwear with a shoestring team. In 2023, I began freelancing my product management & technical apparel development skills. I provide full development services for technical outdoor gear and apparel, leveraging my expertise and vision to co-create new products & to extend the life and value of outdoor products with all of my clients.
Work Experience
Freelance Technical Development | Product Manager | Sourcing Specialist
SARA Technical Apparel2023 – Present
Curious Creatures - Bozeman, MT 2023 - Present
Product Development Team Lead | Fly-Fishing, Workwear & Technical Surf
Patagonia2014 – 2020
Technical product development manager & team leader
Product Development Manager | Fly-Fishing
Patagonia2012 – 2014
Technical Outerwear, Waders, Sportswear & Global Accessories Categories
Product Development Manager Fly-Fishing | Sage, Redington & RIO Fly-lines
Far Bank Enterprises2010 – 2012
Managed all parts of the design/development & sourcing process for multiple Fly-fishing technical apparel brands Redington, Sage, Rio fly-lines apparel. Men's & women's waders, outerwear, technical sportswear, accessories, packs, luggage, base-layer, footwear.
Product Developer Softgoods Fly-Fishing | Sage, Redington & RIO Fly-lines
Far Bank Enterprises2010 – 2011
Men's & women's technical fly-fishing sportswear & accessories categories
Hardware Developer
Spyder Active Sports2007 – 2009
Managed development of custom hardware projects & trim (zippers, pullers, snaps, labels etc.) - across teams/categories & separate brands
Hardware Developer
Cloudveil2008 – 2009
While based in Boulder with travel to Jackson HQ, managed coordination & development of all trim & hardware projects after Spyder Active Sports acquisition.
Product Development Assistant
Spyder Active Sports2005 – 2005
Assisted all developers in their prototyping & factory processes. Responsible for carry-in product changes for fabric, color & trim, updating documentation, working with multiple overseas factories.
