kristin bruce

* Produces fresh, informed editorial content for fashion business coaching blog (topics include design tips for start-up designers, sustainability, business mindset, and entrepreneurial wellness). * Creates, edits, and promotes weekly SEO-optimized blogs via Wordpress * Increased company’s website traffic by 500% in less than a year-- establishing our online presence + thought leadership * Cultivates expansive editorial/ social media calendars * Performs SEO keyword research that lands blogposts at the top page of Google * Develops content and blogposts for consultant’s designer clients * Writes copy for bi-weekly newsletters with consistent brand voice * Develops marketing and educational materials for online course worksheets and newsletter downloads * Assists with events and speaking engagements (guiding fashion districts tours and engaging new prospects at trade shows) * Trains new blog assistants to maintain brand consistency * Archives back-up files of written and promotional content

* Served as design assistant to Design Directors from realization to production stages * Created CAD’s and artwork via Photoshop and Illustrator to utilize during staff/design meetings * Conducted inspiration research and helped to curate vision boards and color palettes * Sketched ideas with Design Director for High Summer 17 * Hand-drew flats and technical spec call-outs to send to factories * Measured sample garments for spec sheets and assisted during fittings * Performed pre-production alterations on sample garments * Assisted designer during meetings and fabric vendor consultations * Worked alongside the founder, sales, marketing, and management teams as well; contributed and received design feedback during meetings

* Assisted Sr. Designer from concept through product execution for Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, and Tommy Hilfiger lines * Developed artwork, sketches, trims, stitch layouts, and tech packs to facilitate overseas development * Manage linesheets, proto, and SMS tech packs for each brand (tech packs include callouts, specs, fit comments, and BOMs) * Measured spec of incoming samples and examined for quality assurance * Execute lab dip comments to meet color standards * Research new techniques, took shopping trips and create moodboards for ongoing design inspiration

* Sketched and developed new silhouettes based on target customer needs and lifestyle * Developed new color stories and print colorways for lab dips * Drafted a new dress pattern that was produced and sold on e-commerce site,- helping to negate external patternmaking costs * Oversaw all product development and production processes to ensure that quality control standards * and shipment deadlines were met by factories

* Liased closely with Head of Collection * Traced and altered patterns as designs transitioned from sampling to production stages * Calculated costing for garments and calculated leather usage for accessories * Confirmed lay planning for repeat and engineered prints * Created CADs of engineered placements for line-sheets (Photoshop) * Reworked and prototyped handbag sizes to better facilitate niche markets * Performed quality control on artwork, fitting, and construction during product development * Stitched muslins/toiles for production fittings

* Used Photoshop and Illustrator to develop intricate print, lace, and embroidery layouts; created color ways for prints * Organized digital and tactile embroidery and textile libraries * Created ideas for fabric manipulations and trims for SS 15 and Pre-Fall 15 * Helped patternmaker adjust flat patterns and cut/prepare muslins * Helped team with finishes for the AW 15 show * Assisted production with embroidery and artwork placement on flat patterns * Swatched fabrics for product development team * Performed quality control for jewelry/accessories

* Embellished swatch ideas and curated embroidery layouts for SS 15 * Compiled competitive shopping reports for price evaluation within the designer fur market * Swatched fabric and trims during product development stages * Helped patternmaker with flat pattern adjustments * Assisted designers with inventory and showroom upkeep

* Assisted designer, tasks included: trueing and * developing patterns; handling production and shipment tasks * Set up showroom for SS15 previewing and styled models for photo-shoot * Swatched fabrics, organized trim inventory, and handled deliveries * Prepared cutter’s musts and created hangtags * Dressed models for Fashion Week A/W 14 and A/W 15

* Production Intern * Prepared samples for fittings (updated tech packs, took detail shots during fittings, prepared fit notes, helped translate Italian fit notes from the Italian factories * Implemented problem solving skills for resolving intricate QC issues with shipments * Assisted technical designer with specing pre-shipment samples * Helped place intricate artwork onto digital flat patterns via Illustrator * Communicated and delivered to factories and vendors * Developed tech packs for upcoming seasons and updating tech packs for current seasons * Assisted with data entry using Excel and PLM * Cross checked packaging against POs, updated line sheets and BOM’s, created expense reports, maintained package log and storage facilities

Coach was founded in 1941 as a family-run workshop. In a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Discerning consumers soon began to seek out the quality and unique nature of Coach craftsmanship.Now greatly expanded, Coach is a modern American luxury brand with a rich heritage of craftsmanship and New York style. We continue to maintain the highest standards for materials and workmanship. Coach's exceptional workforce remains committed to carefully upholding the principles of quality and integrity that define the company. We attribute the prominence of the Coach brand to the unique combination of our original American attitude and design, our heritage of fine leather goods and custom fabrics, our superior product quality and durability, and our commitment to customer service.

Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree- Fashion Design w/ additonal emphasis in Textile Design