I am a passionate and versatile designer, with a proven track-record for adaptability when designing across multiple product categories. This is in addition to my first-love, which is designing timeless women’s handbags for an elevated market-level.
This is the basis on which I formed my own accessory brand. The objective of my brand is to make and sell luxury accessories that are handmade here in the UK, but also have accessible price-points. I use traditional handcrafting techniques that are all part of my 'low-impact' philosophy to fashion production. I believe very strongly that things should be made to last, and with as little negative impact to the environment as possible.
I define my uniqueness as a designer, as having the ability to balance creativity, innovation and commercial reality to make products with a wide-reaching appeal. This is whilst maintaining the unique essence of each brand I design for.
DESIGN CATEGORIES
- Leather Handbags - Active Bags - Novelty evening bags
- Small Leather Goods - Luggage - Tech Accessories
- Jewellery + Keyrings - Bag Hardware - Eyewear sun + optical (vision express)
- Umbrellas - Stationary - Packaging + Branding
I have experience of working across a mixed range of materials, predominantly leather and leather alternatives. I strive to undertake innovative practices within bag making, and look towards the future with regards to improving sustainability.
I take a multi-faceted approach to my design practice, by developing additional competencies in areas that sit more broadly from bag design. These include print and graphic design for packaging and branding.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
- Accessory Design Project Management
- Targeted Trend Research
- CAD Drawing
- Adobe Illustrator - high competency
- Adobe InDesign - high competency
- Handbag Construction
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- Winner of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainer's award for excellence in leather-craft - 2012
- Six month internship at Fleet Ilya as leather production assistant - 2012
- Six Month internship at Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy studio - 2009
Work history
Accessories Designer
London, United KingdomFull Time
-Designing seasonal mainline handbag ranges for men and women.
-Working with TKMAXX and ASOS to develop exclusive accessories.
-Designing and developing LFW runway handbag collection.
Key Responsibilities:Creating mood, colour and trend boards, presenting ideas to Paul Costelloe, TKMAXX and
ASOS, generating factory specs and developing metal hardware.
P
P
Accessories DesignerPaul Costelloe
- London, United KingdomFull Time
-Designing and developing mainline and LFW catwalk handbag ranges, consisting of approximately 100 styles of a £150 - £400 price range.
-Travel to India to assist factory in production of samples.
-Creating handbag/accessory shapes and constructions based around current and future trends.
-Managing design and production from initial ideas, through to final samples.
Key Responsibilities:Sourcing materials, trend Research, creating mood boards, presenting ideas to Amanda
Wakeley, creating factory specs, developing metal hardware.
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Skills
- Accessories
- Pattern Making
- Product Development
- Technical Design
- Adobe Indesign/illustrator/photoshop
- Adobe Premiere/photoshop/indesign
- Excel Skills
- Graphic Art
Education
BA(Hons) Cordwainers Footwear Accessories DesignLondon College of Fashion, UAL
- London, United Kingdom
Achieved a first in accessory design, and was the recipient of the Cordwainers' Award for Excellence in Leather craft.
Awards
Cordwainers' Award for Excellence in Leathercraft London College of Fashion, UAL