Karen Christensen

Lead end-to-end product development for school uniform and sportswear ranges. Responsible for global sourcing, fabric development, supplier negotiation, and delivering commercially successful product that meets customer and brand requirements

Owned and operated a successful beauty salon, managing all aspects of the business, including client services, operations, and supplier management

Designed and managed fashion brands for boutique market customers, combining trend analysis, international buying trips, and global supplier management to deliver commercially successful ranges. Secured new customers through cold calling and building buying group partnerships, driving sales growth and profitability.

Developed technical apparel ranges and sourced innovative fabrics while managing end-to-end offshore suppliers to deliver high-performing, quality product for leading New Zealand Outdoor Adventure, Workwear, and Agriculture brands.

Managed a group of high-end NZ boutique stores, designing and developing fashion ranges from concept to in-store delivery. Drove product sourcing, international trend research, and production, presenting new styles and adapting trends specifically for the NZ market. Grew Buying Group membership by actively reaching out to and signing new boutique clients through targeted outreach and cold calling. Led merchandise teams, ensuring fit, quality, and on-time delivery across all product lines.

Managed production of all orders secured by the Merchandise Manager, ensuring on-time, in-full, and to-specification delivery. Coordinated with suppliers, internal teams, and quality control in Shanghai to oversee garment costing, fabric and accessories approvals, tech packs, and sample production. Raised purchase orders for China factories, negotiated credits and claims, and maintained product quality, pricing, and shipping schedules from prototype to final delivery.

Worked in the Pattern Room creating and grading men’s, women’s, and children’s patterns, both manually and using Lectra Pattern Making program. Developed garment specifications, tech packs, and fabric yield calculations for Chinese manufacturing. Checked quality, fit, and construction of prototypes and shipping samples, and collaborated with sample machinists and overseas factories to ensure accurate garment construction.

Managed all pattern making, grading, and specifications for leading NZ Brands T & Ski & Wildsouth using the P.A.D. system for men’s, women’s, and children’s wear. Oversaw sample cutting and worked closely with sample machinists to ensure accurate and timely construction of photo types. Compiled cost sheets and fabric yield calculations. Tested new fabrics for shrinkage and colorfastness, taking full ownership of the technical production process.