CASE STUDY #1: Totes Signature
Totes Signature Collection is a showcase for Totes quality and is sold at top tier department stores. The hard goods design (handle, frame, silhouette development) focused on creating a look that is upscale, did not compete with canopy coloration, and could stay relevant for approximately five years. developing the collection involved researching consumer insights, and accounts for $500K in sales.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Trend and color research
- Ideation
- Hard goods design
- Print development
CASE STUDY #2: Rain Apparel
Rain apparel was a brand new category of products for Totes. The goal was to have rainwear that coordinated with umbrellas, and could be merchandised together in an accessory department. Jackets and ponchos needed to be largely unstructured so that the items could remain as a "one size fits most" item. Additionally, fabric was to be water repellant, packable and breathable. The challenge was to create compelling designs that would coordinate with umbrella products, while also remaining profitable in a crowded market.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Manufacturer coordination/vetting, tariff code research
- Ideation and design CADs
- Pattern making
- Photoshoot styling
CASE STUDY #3: Isotoner Cabanas Slippers
This collection revitalized the Spring business for Isotoner. With its bold colors and fun silhouettes, Cabanas became a Springtime staple of the Isotoner footwear business model. Previous business consisted of basic replenishment styles only. Selling the Cabanas collection increased Spring sales by $2.6M.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Trend and color research
- Ideation, design sketching
- Line building
- Sales and Marketing presentations
CASE STUDY #4: Totes Inbrella
The innovative reverse closing umbrella became the most popular fashion style for Totes. Due to it's curated assortment of unique and salable prints, and exceptional quality, the umbrella style won significant fashion business for Totes, and became a replenishment style adding approximately $500K to the bottom line.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Innovation product development
- Print development
- Sales and marketing presentations
- Photoshoot styling
CASE STUDY #5: Private Label
Totes Private Label business strategically captured potential competition and created a showcase of premium umbrellas for a wide variety of customers from high fashion to automotive brands. My role was to design custom elements, develop workable canopy prints and interface directly with clients to develop workable timelines, pricing and merchandising.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Client communication
- Customized product design
- Product development
- Project management
CASE STUDY #6: Acorn Kids Slippers
Bubble project in which I was invited to take existing style silhouettes in the Acorn line and redesign with more appropriate applique and embroidery designs for the Acorn brand ID. I researched trends and created critters that reflected Acorn's outdoorsy, natural vibe. Acorn Kid's sales are a small portion of the overall business, but are an important selling tool as the sales accounts are often small individual organizations that want a variety of styles from each vendor.
PROJECT SKILLS
- Trend and color research
- Ideation, design sketching
- Design revision
- CAD creation