Karen Paris
Sr. Apparel Design Manager & Denim Expert
Brooklyn,NY
Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Summary
Innovative Design Manager offering over 20 years of experience in leveraging trend, innovation and data to manage broad selection of merchandise. Successful in managing a team to provide successful product collections that follow overall brand vision. Proficient in using technology and working in multiple time zones with dedication and drive. Passionate about sustainable, recyclable, and eco friendly design practices and materials.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Designer, DG2 Denim and Bottoms
Sunrise Brands Inc.
New York, NY
11.2018 - Current
- Managed direct reports (objective setting, assessments, training, and development) to facilitate their professional growth.
- Developed design deliverables that elevated, differentiated and functioned on-brand and on-strategy for DG2 Diane Gilman, including fit technology and fabric solutions.
- Planned project concepts by researching and studying the market trends and fabric innovations, including introducing "DG Downtime" and Recycled/Eco certified fabrics.
- Prepared and presented virtual and in-parson presentations for leadership and our client.
- Collaborated with manufacturers and production team to align styles with our pricing strategy.
- Developed designs in tough COVID climate, bringing in over $80M in sales of 2020. Launched special daily deals on HSN, that achieved and exceeded weekly projections.
- Traveled to Asia for sourcing and proto development that drove design innovation and new ideas while maintaining pricing matrix.
Senior Designer, Epic Threads
Goldentouch Inc.
New York, NY
10.2017 - 10.2018
- Managed direct reports, setting objectives and ensuring calendar goals were achieved.
- Developed graphic imagery for Tees with Graphics department, and delivered production ready graphics.
- Maintained denim design knowledge by attending Kingpins, Texworld, and Premiere Vision.
- Created over 100 design CADS and tech packs with PLM and Illustrator in 4 divisions, achieving monthly goals.
- Consulted with Macy's merchants to identify design SKU plans for each project, and design within needed categories.
- Incorporated design changes based on feedback from Macy's merchants and Management.
- Helped company advance industry standing by launching Boys 8-20 division and developing new basic jean wash assortments.
- Led production pricing meetings and passed all comments to ensure color, wash, and quality standards were met.
Design Director, Reunion Sourcing
IBrands Inc.
New York, NY
02.2016 - 06.2017
- Collaborated with design teams to produce sample lines in new product categories: Hydraulic Knit tops, Hydraulic Active, and celebrity pitches.
- Designed environmentally-friendly collection, Blue Desire, using sustainable and recycled denim and materials.
- Learned use of new technologies and products to stay current in 21st-century design specifics. Organized 3-D computer design presentation to company president and owner.
- Planned and oversaw photography shoots and retouching for Blue Desire and Private Label collection, consistently completing tasks within budget.
- Met with clients to present ideas and open new department store and catalog business.
- Planned Coterie booth arrangement and signage, optimizing efficient use of space while showcasing designs.
Freelance Senior Designer/ Denim Tech Designer
Sunrise Brands Inc.
New York, NY
08.2013 - 02.2016
- Sourced and researched denim and trends needed to successfully complete projects, including American Rag sketch review and line review at Macy's.
- Created over 50 visual concepts with Illustrator per monthly delivery, and initiated samples through tech packs.
- Maintained Denim fabric newness and innovation through regular mill appointments and trade shows.
- Applied understanding of washing principals and deep technical knowledge to translate design ideas into completed samples.
- Attended fittings and applied technical knowledge to correct fit issues for American Rag and Diane Gilman DG2.
- Entered and updated specs into PLM, creating new fits such as the high rise skinny, that evolved into a reorder business.
- Entered and set up design libraries still in use today for new PLM system, Centric.
Senior Designer, Partnered Brands
Jones NY
New York, NY
10.2012 - 05.2013
- Managed, assessed, and fostered creativity and growth for one associate and one assistant designer.
- Collaborated with VP of design to develop marketing materials and inner beauty items for partnered brands.
- Consulted with Design Management of Jones Apparel and Anne Klein to identify design requirements for each project.
- Planned project concepts by researching and studying trend themes and color stories. Met with print studios to establish print story. Shopped NYC for inspiration.
- Helped company professionally display wash assortment "denim bars" for showroom presentations.
- Developed schematics showcasing design layouts in catalogs for the merchant team.
- Used product and fabric knowledge, to collaborate on a cross-division task force in order to leverage fabrics for production.
- Regularly attended fittings, established fit solutions and tummy control technology.
Senior Designer, Special Markets, Wovens and Denim
Liz Claiborne Inc.
New York, NY
07.2008 - 06.2011
- Managed and associate and assistant designer in assigning tasks and staying on calendar deadlines. Encouraged creative growth and development through mentoring.
- Worked alongside production team to increase margins through revising and editing designs, and attending negotiations on Asia trips.
- Traveled to overseas offices in Taiwan, China, Indonesia, and Egypt working on perfecting the salesman sample line for the merchants.
- Traveled to Europe with the Design Director on trend shopping trips, to present to the SVP of design and build trend, color and print stories.
- Worked alongside merchants, collaborating on new product ideas based on previous season's sales reports; identifying reorders and designing into best selling style categories through chases and tests.
- Partnered with Head of Fabric to select and source each season's new qualities.
Head Designer, Junior's and Girls
Goody's Family Clothing
New York, NY
06.2006 - 06.2008
- Conferred with CEO to determine building NY office team roster and develop recruitment plans. Managed and trained associate design report.
- Forged cooperative relationships with Knoxville, TN merchants and production teams, and established work flow between the two locations.
- Collaborated with merchants in Knoxville, TN to identify design requirements for each project and review samples.
- Traveled to Asia and Europe on sourcing and shopping trips with the VP or Product Development, culminating in company wide power point presentations on emerging trends across Men's Women's Junior's and Children's divisions.
- Sourced all fabrics and developed all washes with production across Cambodia, Viet Nam and China.
- Led the initiative to re-brand Duck Head Jeans Co. an DHJC, collaborating with senior management and marketing agency.
- Developed first fit pattern blocks with the senior tech designer to streamline production fits.
Senior Designer, NoBo and Faded Glory
Jordache Inc.
New York, NY
10.2005 - 06.2006
Designer, Glo Jeans
Jones Apparel Group
New York, NY
09.2000 - 10.2005
Assistant Designer, Women's Wovens
CK Jeans, Calvin Klein
New York, NY
06.1998 - 09.2000
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Skills
Fashion Design
Denim Wash Development
Project Management & Teamwork
Garment Construction & Manufacturing Process
PLM Systems and Adobe Suite
Meeting Facilitation & Presentations (including remote)
Schedule Coordination & Calendar Management
Seasonal Color & Trend Direction
Timeline
Senior Designer, DG2 Denim and Bottoms - Sunrise Brands Inc.
11.2018 - Current
Senior Designer, Epic Threads - Goldentouch Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2018
Design Director, Reunion Sourcing - IBrands Inc.
02.2016 - 06.2017
Freelance Senior Designer/ Denim Tech Designer - Sunrise Brands Inc.
08.2013 - 02.2016
Senior Designer, Partnered Brands - Jones NY
10.2012 - 05.2013
Senior Designer, Special Markets, Wovens and Denim - Liz Claiborne Inc.
07.2008 - 06.2011
Head Designer, Junior's and Girls - Goody's Family Clothing
06.2006 - 06.2008
Senior Designer, NoBo and Faded Glory - Jordache Inc.
10.2005 - 06.2006
Designer, Glo Jeans - Jones Apparel Group
09.2000 - 10.2005
Assistant Designer, Women's Wovens - CK Jeans, Calvin Klein
06.1998 - 09.2000
Kent State University - Bachelor of Arts, Fashion Design