More than 9 years’ experience in leather goods manufacture and design development. Currently co-director of the manufacturing outfit Cope & Vale; a studio-style factory offering one-on-one design development consultancy for start-ups and reputable fashion brands. Cope & Vale has an established and returning client list and works at all levels of design realisation. Duties include client liaison, accessories pattern cutting, sample-making and management of the production line and critical path. This also can include selection of materials according to brief, and sourcing and ordering.
Work history
Leather Craftworker
London, United KingdomFull Time
Experience of managing multiple critical paths at all stages of product development and manufacture. Delivering product to strict deadlines at a luxury standard. Depth of knowledge in the wholesale and retail markets, current trends and business strategies. Emphasis on product development, consultancy and pattern making. Highly skilled in manufacture of luxury leathergoods and knowledgeable in leather and similar materials.
• Clients include: Craig Green, Christopher Raeburn, Roksanda, Kate Sheridan,
M. Hulot, Cheshire and Wain, Phoebe English, and C.Nicol.
• Consultancy on initial designs, materials and market suitability
• Pattern Cutting and Sample Making including all stages of leathergoods manufacture
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes and factory settings
• Experience of working with British Factories within London and The North West.
• Costing new products
• Production management, including working to deadlines and working on multiple orders
• Studio Management, including accounting and communication.
• Leather/Materials sourcing and ordering
• Brokering new business via social media channels and outreach
Production Coordinator
- London, United KingdomFull Time
Bringing new business into a factory based in Manchester by reaching out to new clients, developing product and managing the production through the factory. Creating and managing the critical paths of various clients involved development, sampling, production and final delivery of product. Working under pressure and negotiating prices and terms were commonplace as well as problem solving, management of timelines and streamlining the production lines. The factory under supervision employed 10 persons, each with a particular skill/role.
• Supervision of mid-scale factory for the preparation of leathergoods.
• Management of production timelines and workload.
• Ordering of raw materials and tracking deliveries
• Control of QC systems
• Client liaison and brokering new business
• Product development and consultation with new clients prior to design being submitted to the factory for sampling.
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Skills
- Leather Work
- Design Patterns
- Manufacture
- Quality Assurance
- Account Management
- Critical Path
- Material Knowlege
- Leather Goods
- Accessories Design/construction
Education
MSc
- Sheffield, United Kingdom
1st class (Hons) Biological Chemistry