A dedicated and creative footwear buyer and developer who has over 13+ years experience in the industry, building highly successful ranges for brands such as Amazon, Topman and Burton, as well as 6+ years working comprehensively with factories in the Far East and India to streamline and improve production efficiency, QC, material sourcing, fit and finish to produce high quality collections with a primary focus on sustainability. Motivated by challenges and approaching all tasks and problems with enthusiasm and tenacity, believes in supporting and educating the whole supply chain to enable an ethical manufacturing practice, and a more efficient and cost-effective process.
Work history
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Design Development and Production ConsultantEmily Townsend Ltd
London, United KingdomFreelance
Designing and developing ranges for brands including H by Hudson for ASOS, and Far East based supplier TMC, working closely with factories on technical spec packs, fitting and quality from initial sample to sealing stage, and negotiating prices with manufacturers and material and component suppliers to ensure cost effective production across the supply chain.
Managing production and development for Bird Lime, specifically addressing the lack of diversity and inclusivity within the industry. Working with charities and brands to re-address the balance of representation, developing new talent from underrepresented and lower socio-economic backgrounds through comprehensive mentoring and skills workshops.
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Head of Wholesale and BrandsLloyd Shoe Company
- London, United KingdomFull Time
Pro-actively led a team to design and develop the mens footwear for new Amazon Private Label brand Find, growing the business from a 28,000 pair initial order to 152,000 pairs for SS20, negotiating with Manufacturers to achieve improved exit margins and sustainable pricing structures across the supply chain. Worked directly with Amazon teams, International Manufacturers and Distributors to efficiently plan and manage lead-times, producing year-round deliveries of product, ensuring high QC and ethical standards are upheld, alongside a rapidly growing repeat business totalling over 300,000 pairs across 5 seasons, not including US distribution.
Managed the Quality Control team, ensuring the ethical compliance of the supply chain, with particular emphasis on monitoring the performance of factories and identifying areas of risk, and conveying and implementing clear courses of action to Brand Directors and Manufacturers. Oversaw Supplier Assessments to ensure comprehensive testing requirements are met with independent testing labs (ITS, BV, SGS), alongside legislation compliance including REACH, Prop65 and brand specific RSL's.
Successfully launched in the US alongside EU distribution, broadening the range to include further Private Label brands Amazon Essentials (US), Goodthreads (US), and Hem and Seam (US and EU).
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Skills
- Footwear Development
- Factory Liaison
- Trend Forecasting
- Brand Collaboration
- Brand Management
Education
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BA (Hons) Fashion DesignDeMonfort university
- Leicester, United Kingdom
A comprehensive footwear course developing design and technical making skills, emphasising the crucial relationship between design and manufacture, and the needs of the footwear industry across mens and ladies shoes.
Over the 3 year course, focus was on bespoke biomechanics and model prototyping skills, drawing and CAD illustration, along with presenting and communicating ideas and concepts to a high professional standard, learning technical pattern cutting skills, and making a range of prototype shoes using specialist studio facilities including 3D design equipment.
Alongside industry set projects for brands such as Drapers, Pentland Group and Office, was awarded 2nd place at the International Lineapelle Young Designers award, and was shortlisted for the Mulberry Accessories Award at Graduate Fashion Week, both in 2008.