Cat Wattrus

- Leading & developing a cohesive vision & range for the department, ensuring that product reflects Tesco DNA and strategy, the range is without gaps or duplication, and that the season is logically and commercially thought through. - Working collaboratively & effectively with the total design team to develop seasonal and consumer macro trends to ensure we are chasing customer demand correctly. - Collaborating across departments and functions of the business including Clothing, Food, Brand, Customer & Events to ensure the design vision is communicated clearly. - Identifying and executing new product opportunities as they emerge in the market - Using relevant sales data and insights to design commercially relevant, fashion forward ranges - Anticipating the needs of the Tesco customers, using sales data, customer profile analytics and trend research to deliver commercial product ranges - Working closely with in-house Buying teams – collaborating to create fresh product, each season and shape the product direction for the department, ensuring that it is aligned to the brand and divisional strategy Building relationships with suppliers and advising factories on direction, silhouette, construction, key details, fabrics, trimmings and artworks. - Managing, developing and motivating more junior team members, providing them with clear direction and regular feedback - Maintaining a clear understanding of brand purpose and product with Integrity by ensuring these principles are fully embedded within the team. Looking for opportunities to use sustainable materials wherever possible - Providing clear direction and development to the team, identifying individual training needs and encouraging collaborative ways of working. Motivating and engaging the team through recognition and regular feedback

As below Attending departmental fit sessions, making fit comments and recommendations for product development and improvement. Bureau Veritas training covering Risk Assessment process. Assisting with the management of trend and colour updates, both internally and externally. Managing and processing invoices. Identify key looks and trends, highlight any missed opportunities within the department. Seasonal trend presentations, to both internal teams and external suppliers. Inspirational shopping trips, both UK based and abroad to help develop trend and shape for the new season. Lead contact for Childrenswear dept. for Disney, attending Showcases , liasing between in house design team and Disney graphic designers and selecting style guides in order to create on-trend licensed character product. Attending both Effective Influencing and Presenting with Confidence training.

Working directly with Lead Designer on design and development of ranges, producing CADs that not only fit into our seasonal trend forecast but short lead reactive designs based on catwalk or high street developments. Developing extensive competitor and market understanding through both online and instore research, presenting back to design team and wider support teams. Colour and trend research, developing overall mood to be in line with the commercial F&F customer profile. Creating detailed buying briefs to send to factory base in; Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Turkey. Providing measurements, fabric references and block references to support the Technical Team. Fabric and trim research, collaborating with overseas hubs on sourcing. Attending trim supplier meetings and selecting appropriate trims for the season ahead, taking into account safety standards, suitability and cost. Managing the critical path from initial design pages to review meetings. Working closely with the Buying Team to assist managing approvals and, when required, taking the necessary action for improvement. Researching seasonal, and resort, catwalk shows to produce an intel package that can then be reported back to design team and wider support team. Using industry recognised forecasting websites (Fashion Snoops and WGSN) to complete trend research, whilst also using Pinterest to gather supporting imagery. Meeting preparation e.g ensuring colour palettes are available, scaling and amending graphics, creating A1 boards demonstrating key strategies or trends. Central Europe strategy trips to gain an understanding of the market in the countries where F&F is sold.

-supervision of junior staff -restocking from store -ordering -customer interaction -shop displays and merchandising -barista -taking payment -dealing with customer suggestions

-creating and maintaining a website -blog entries -publicity -market research -budgeting -presentations about products -networking -ordering from suppliers -using Illustrator and Photoshop to produce designs -helping out at photography shoots -attending craft fairs and talking to potential customers -drafting patterns and scaling to fit different sizes -making up garments

-completed homework -worked in school, home and community -provided support for family -community work with teenager with special needs -completed paperwork during sessions

-restocking from stockroom -pricing using sales stock sheets -assisting customers -stylist -housekeeping duties when required -tidying sales rails

-completed relevant post session paperwork -organised trips for young children and adults with special needs -visiting families in the home -providing support for families -transporting members to and from venues

-general housekeeping duties -using the till system -taking payments -re-stocking -barista trained -showing other members of staff how to run the cafe -serving customers -working in the cold food kitchen -ordering from suppliers -opening and closing the cafe -cashing up

-opening and closing the restaurant -answering the phone -inputting data into the computer system -taking credit card payments over the phone -liaising with clients about wedding set up -housekeeping duties when required -serving in the restaurant

Studies at Leeds University Include: -Design Development, -Marketing Creativity -Sportswear and Performance Clothing -Design Management -Intermediate French -Design Theory -Patterns and Culture Catherine is a passionate member of the School of Design society and the Enterprise society which has pushed her to do a Year in Enterprise year during her third year of study. She has done a great deal of research into sustainable and ethical fibres and the alternatives to fast fashion, something that Catherine has been passionate about for some time. She is also a 'parent' mentor for the year below on the Fashion course, this includes arranging meetings, providing support and helpful information.