Emma LevineCurriculum Vitae

Employment:

Personal Details:108 Palm Views East, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE emma_levine@hotmail.comtel: + 971 (0) 507 363 053d.o.b: 13th July 1976

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-levine-1542776a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Skills:Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, Microsoft Word, Microsoft ExcelFull Drivers License,Life Drawing, Painting, Illustration, Pen & Ink,Pattern cutting, Hand embroidery, Dressmaking,Hand knitting, Hand beading, Hand printing

Overview:I am a highly experienced Design Manager having worked for over 15 years in the Industry, predominantly inChildrenswear, but more recently also covering Menswear, Ladieswear and Teen categories. 5 years ago, I launched aChildrenswear Brand, Emma Levine Kids & Baby, which I ran alongside my full time position at Boden. I have a stronghandwriting, with a high taste level. Adaptable, highly motivated, with a passion for detail, I work well to a brief and have the ability to design for both the lower and higher end of the market. Capable of designing multi product for boys and girls, embellishments, prints, graphics and hand drawn illustrations with sound knowledge and understanding of children and babywear safety guidelines and restrictions. Having worked with brands including Disney, Warner Brothersand Hasbro, I also have a good understanding of the processes and limitations involved in Licensing. I am a good communicator, confident and comfortable presenting at Director Level.

Education: 2004-2005: OCN Award graphics for publishing: MeritThe Digital Academy, Reading University

1994: 3 x A Levels: Art, Classical History & Art History1991: 9 x G.C.S.E’s St Georges School, Ascot

1995-1999: BA (hons) Fashion Degree: 2:1, 3 commendations1996-1999: BTEC Diploma in Art Foundation Studies: MeritKingston University

August 2015-Present: Head of Design, Trucare, UAEI Manage and Direct a team of 10 Designers, creating Character ranges across infant, kids, teen and adult covering multi product areas:* Report to the Head of Textiles* Plan ranges for customers, including Max, Harvey Nichols, Red Tag, Tati, Mothercare India and Toys R Us* Present Trends and Design boards to Customers and Company Directors* Frequent Travel to India for Factory and Sales trips

August 2010-July 2015: Designer/ Owner, Emma Levine Kids & Baby, London, UKHaving discovered excellent manufacturing sources in Indonesia, with low minimum order quantities, I set up my ownbrand, called ‘Emma Levine Kids & Baby’. The look was pretty, fun and unique. It covered Baby 0-24 months andChildren 2-12 years. Inspiration came from vintage sources and Indonesian influences. Lace trims, signature prints andquirky detailing, along with easy separates in soft, comfortable fabrics were inherent. The brand targeted the Boutique market. This experience gave an insight into all aspects of running a business and sole creative direction over a brand:* Designed and developed the collections working closely with the factories in Indonesia, India and China * Managed sales, gaining accounts in the UK, US and Europe, including John Lewis, Selfridges and Alex & Alexa* Managed Trade Shows, i.e Playtime Paris and Bubble London, Private sales and Public events i.e Spirit of Christmas

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cont...* Directed photo shoots on live models and still shots for the web* Managed all approvals and sent factory sample fit comments* Managed Instagram and Facebook accounts* Ran day to day admin, invoiced customers and wrote orders* Created Business plans and took meetings with banks and investors

March 2012-March 2015: Baby wear Designer, Boden, UK* Reported to the Buying Director of Childrenswear, operating at Senior Level* Designed 180 options per season, multi product for Baby Boy, Baby Girl & Layette across an age range of 0-3 years* Created Seasonal Mood Boards, Themes and Colour Palettes, presenting to the Chairman and Heads of Departments* Worked with the Print Team selecting prints for products, and on page planning with the Catalogue Team* Fit all styles, and worked closely with the Garment Tech on Development and Production Packs* Regular travel to Hong Kong and India for Development * Regular travel to Europe for Research, also attending Trade Shows: Playtime Paris and Bubble London

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March 2012-March 2014: Girlswear Designer, Boden, UK* Reported to the Head of Design* Designed 165 options per season, multi product including Occasionwear, for 2-13 year girls* Attended customer wardrobe visits in Boston and focus Groups in London* Created Seasonal Mood Boards, Themes and Colour Palettes, presenting to the Chairman and Heads of Departments* Worked with the Print Team selecting prints for products, and on page planning with the Catalogue Team* Fit all styles, and worked closely with the Garment Tech on Development and Production Tech Packs* Regular travel to Hong Kong and India for Development * Regular travel to Europe for Research, also attending Trade Shows, PV, Playtime Paris and Bubble London

May 2008-August 2010, Girls & Boyswear Designer, French Connection Ltd, UK* Reported to the Head of Design, and Managed the Childrenswear Design Assistant* Designed 200 options per season, multi product including outerwear, true knit, CMT & accessories for 2-14 years kids* Worked alongside the Ladieswear and Menswear Design teams* Created Mood Boards and Colour Palettes loosely based around the adult themes* Took appointments with print, knit and textile studios, and fabric mills selecting fabrics and swatches * Briefed the Pattern Cutter on 25 new patterns per season, fitting toiles and first fit samples* Briefed the graphic designers on t-shirt placement prints/embellishments, labelling and packaging* Created Development and Production Tech Packs* Regular travel to Hong Kong and India for Development * Regular travel to Europe for Research, also attending Trade Shows, PV and Bubble London* Presented the Range to Stephen Marks, the owner of the company, the Buyers, Merchandisers and Sales Team* Styled both live and still photo shoots for seasonal look books and press shots etc

February 2009-November 2009, In-Store Childrenswear Specialist, French Connection Ltd, UKIn addition to my role as Childrenswear Designer I spent weekends working in the Oxford Street FC Flagship Store:* Reported to the Store Manager* Offered a specialized personal shopping service for parents and customers buying for children* Worked on the Shop floor performing typical Sales Assistant Duties

June 2006-May 2008, Girls & Boyswear Designer, EMA Textiles Ltd, UK* Reported to the Business Manager* Designed 90 options per season multi product, including accessories, layette & giting for premium brand, Molly’n‘ Jackfor Boots, across Girls and Boys 0-6 years, as well as 30 options per season for boutique brand, TU for Sainsburys 0-2 years, and also assisting with baby ranges for Banana Mama and kidswear for Crew. * Created Seasonal Mood Boards, Themes and Colour Palettes* Developed and Approved Trims and Fabrics* Briefed the Print Designer with clear design direction for the All-Over Prints and graphics for the range* Presented Range Boards to the Buyers, Merchandisers and the Laura Ashley Licensees* Fit all styles with the Garment Tech* Produced Development and Production Tech Packs ur and print * Regular Travel to Hong Kong for Development and Paris and Amsterdam for Research, attending Bubble and PV* Designed packaging, including Swing Tags, Stickers and Woven Labels

December 2007-May 2008, Freelance Childrenswear Designer, The Woolshed, UK * Reported and Presented to the Business Owner* Designed 20 options for girls and boys aged 2-8 years, using Liberty prints for this online childrens wear company, on weekends and in my spare time* Developed paper patterns, and Cut and Made the initial samples

August 2007-May 2008, Freelance Graphic Designer, Blackstone Design, UK* Reported and Presented to the Business Owner* Designed unusual, quirky graphics for placement prints for jersey styles for Top Shop, Evans and River Island on weekends and in my spare time* Created Artwork Packs in Illustrator and Photoshop format including Colour Separations

August 2007-May 2008, Freelance Graphic Designer, Blackstone Design, UK2005-2006, Freelance Textile Designer, Gilbey and Cheyne, UK* Designed a number of beautiful Hand Embellishments in the form of innovative, detailed garment fronts, using handembroidery, appliqué and intricate sequin and beadwork

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2000-2004, Self Employed T-shirt Designer, Emma Levine, UK* Managed a full time assistant and occasional part time students* Designed & produced t-shirts, dresses, tops & skirts, using appliqué, embroidery, print & different hand dye methods,selling 100-150 units per month at the markets and via my own website and 800 units a year to shops * Bought a permanent pitch at Portobello Market and rented a stall at Spitalfields selling my products 3-4 days a week* Developed a wide customer database across the UK and the US as well as celebrities, buyers and stylists including, Charlotte Hatherley (Ash), Lisa Armstrong, Darryl Hannah, Margarita Taylor, Gerri Halliwell, Rachel Hunter, June Sarpang and Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)* Gained Press and TV coverage in several publications, websites and programmes including, Vogue, Drapers Magazine,The Face, Sunday Express Magazine, Ascot Express, As seen on screen, MTV, The Big Breakfast, Channel 4, This Morning, ITV, T4, Channel 4, Robot Wars, BBC2* Sourced additional manufacturing in London and Brazil* Managed accounts and maintained stock lists* Exhibited at the following trade shows and festivals, Margin London, New Designers Show, East London Design Show,Glastonbury Festival and V Festival * Directed photo shoots on live models and still shots for the web, flyers and look book

Ladieswear Designer, Cutt-Inc, New York* Designed and Sampled three collections for this company * Created Mood Boards and Colour Palettes* Produced Development and Production Tech Packs * Produced Specs, Made Paper Patterns and Sampled all first designs* Sourced Trims and Fabrics * Produced Illustrations for Look Books* Created Artworks for Print and Embroidery Designs

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During this time various opportunities arose and I also worked for the following two companies:

2004-2006, Full Time Senior Sales Assistant, Jigsaw Covent Garden/The Shop at Bluebird, London* Worked on the fitting rooms styling customers and helping them to put outfits together* Worked in the stock room, checking in deliveries and sending out stock transfers* Assisted with visual merchandising on the shop floor* Arranged customer alteration requirements with the tailor* Developed a customer database for the store* Processed customer orders and arranged shipping for overseas orders* Supervised the store in the managers’ absence, closing the tills, relaying end-of day figures to head office and banking

September 1999, Freelance Lingerie Designer, Banana Republic, New York* Designed a range of Lingerie, Sleepwear and Gifting* Created Mood Boards and assisted on Range Plans* Produced Development Tech Packs* Attended fit sessions with the QA team

2004-2006, Full Time Senior Sales Assistant, Jigsaw Covent Garden/The Shop at Bluebird, LondonSeptember 1999, Internship in the Design Studio, Betsey Johnson, New York* Assisted with work related and personal errands for Betsey* Sourced Art Books for design inspiration* Met with Print Studios and Fabric Agents, choosing Prints and Selecting Fabrics* Assisted in the Pattern Room helping to make basic blocks* Attended Design meetings* Hand worked Fashion Show samples using hand embroidery and beading

January-March 2004, Part Time Bar Person & Waitress, Slug and Lettuce, RichmondJanuary-April 2000, General Administrator, GMAC RFC. Bracknell January-August 1999, Kids wear Supervisor & Sales Assistant, Monsoon, Kingston-Upon-ThamesSeptember 1997-Septemer 1998, Part Time Sales Assistant, Warehouse, Kingston-Upon-Thames

Other Interests:* Travelling, Life Drawing, Sketching and Painting, Customising my own clothes, Watching Live Music, Surfing,Swimming and Jogging, Cinema, Reading, Visiting Antiques Fairs and Art & Craft Markets

PA to the Shopping Coordinator, The Face Magazine, London* Called in products from various shops, designers and suppliers* Researched up and coming designers* Sourced new exciting products to feature on the Shopping pages* Wrote small pieces of editorial to accompany new product shots