Nicole Linnell

Setting up the Off Shore Production for the Umbrella Label 'STORY' which is changing to STORY BY REPERTOIRE' in both China and India.

Designing activewear / athelesuire wear for women of New Zealand right from XS-5XL Focusing on creating a movement where women all feel empowered.

Shortly after starting my employment at Annah Stretton I was offered a promotion to Off Shore Production Manager through to my dedication to the brand, organisational skills and my drive for producing better quality garments. This role offered the opportunity to extend my capabilities as a designer and broaden my skill set by giving me extra challenges whilst continuing to design. Through these experiences I was able to gain an insight into and valued overview of the industry. My role included: • Managing all aspects of working with both Chinese and Indian factories to produce and deliver quality garments. • Visiting factories in China to check on production whilst fabric sourcing for the seasons ahead.. • Creating and negotiating terms and managing agreements with factories when looking to employ. • Negotiating delivery time frames, prices and creating and putting up purchase orders. • Navigating and managing secure exit plans from factories when required. • Coordinating production schedules to ensure on time delivery whilst minimizing transportation costs. • Accurately create and execute tech packs communicating clear and concise information on what was required. Including technical drawings, construction specifications, fabric/trim swatch information, measurements and arranging digital patterns when required. • Managing and working alongside New Zealand staff - pattern maker, sample machinists, fittings, quality control, warehouse and distribution staff. • Guest Speaker at Wintec University, talking about processes of Off Shore Production.

During my time with the company we re-branded and created an entirely new sister label to sit alongside the existing label. Our original label Annah S became ‘PINK’ and the new label became ‘BLACK’ This separated the customer from everyday wear to occasion wear and from clean designs, to intricate details. Re-branding was mammoth for the company and I am honored to have been a part of it. The garments we designed were not styles I, would not always wear, however I knew the customer, had the ability to forecast, design top sellers through choice of style lines, prints, fabrication and all over garment quality whilst sticking within a budget. My role included: • Designing original garments whilst still relating back to current trends • Fabric sourcing, both in New Zealand and in China. • Creating fashion show run order, model fittings, fit corrections and instructing dressers for New Zealand Fashion Week (2014 and 2015) • Guest judge on behalf of Annah at local fashion and Art Competitions.