Vanessa Darden

Design and develop custom home product, textiles, and concepts from initial idea to production. Tech packs Trend and color research Manage assistant designer/interns Merchandise the line Photography stylist for catalog, website, and other marketing prints.

Women's Footwear Designer / November 2013- Present -Design and develop Women's & girls footwear line -Proto sketches, revisions to color up & materializing, to perfecting final product -Head of Trend and Color research and design -Women's SMU design -Create custom textiles & prints Textile Designer / November 2012- November 2013 -Develop and design innovative textiles and print/patterns that supply original design -Preparing and managing all prints and patterns for development & production -Research and develop seasonal color forecast and trends -Work with product development to create and design new and innovative materials for the marketplace including treatments, patterns, and textures. -Design and develop styles from creative brief; as well as design of all women’s SMUs. -Understanding pricing as it relates to particular materials and methods of manufacturing. -Attend trade shows to receive buyers feedback and review competitors

Designer & Illustrator -Design and development of Heidi Klum’s toddler & baby apparel, bedding, accessories, & decor from concept to production -Meeting with Heidi Klum in personal meetings to ensure loyalty to the image of her line. -Production artist by taking illustrations from paper to production

Success within the company led me from freelance work to head designer in nearly four years. Designer/ August 2010 - November 2012 Associate Designer/August 2010 - September 2011 Design Assistant/September 2009 - August 2010 Freelance/August 2009 – September 2009 -Design and development of soft & hard goods, accessories, and apparel from conceptual design to top of production samples. -Participating in design meetings to ensure brand image and stay insync with calender -Design of packaging of many hard and soft products. -Graphic design of catalogs, brochures, & flyers. -Illustrator of original graphics, prints, and patterns. -Specialize in trend and color forecasting, fabrications, and trims. -Work closely with technical designer to complete tech packs, artwork, design and fit changes. -Communication with domestic and oversea factories throughout sampling process, including lab dips, design changes, and perfection of product. -Work closely with sales team to merchandise product.

Pre-production & Design assistant/ November 2009 - August 2010 Internship/May 2008 - August 2008 -Assisting the design team with tech packs, flat sketching, and conceptual design. -Keeping track of samples & assisting with photoshoots. -Attending and assisting designers with garment fittings -Patternmaking through draping & fitting with Opitex digital program. - Assisting graphic team with catalog -Specing and measuring samples