EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design Textile Design
Master of Fine Arts, 2010
Bard College Writing & Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts, 2002
Fashion Institute of Technology Material Design
Classes, 2006
EXPERIENCE
Annie Selke Companies Pittsfield, MA/ Hybrid Remote NYC
Textile Design Manager 2021 - 2023
Oversees the design and development for rugs, wallpaper, bedding and pillows from concept and initial design kickoff through internal design approval, delivery of production-ready files with clear and precise vendor spec packages, guides vendor questions during development process , comments upon and approves production samples. Researches current fashion, art, architecture and interior marketplace trends to create and present mood boards anddesign concepts to internal and external collaborators. Sources new techniques and materials alongside overseas office to achieve design goals and create innovative products. Manages and mentors junior designers overseeing artwork creation and color decisions. Key player in successful collaborations with designers Kit Kemp, Marie Flanigan and Frances Valentine. Other responsibilities include biweekly meetings with India office and Portugal agents and working with additional domestic vendors such as Stanton and Stark carpets. Uses Adobe Suite, NedGraphics and Microsoft Suite at an expert level and travels internationally to factories and trade shows on behalf of the company.
Revman International New York, NY
Textile Artist & Designer 2015 - 2021
Designs and develops artwork, color and fabrics for bedding and bath products of iconic brands from concept to finished product. Researches trend, color and lifestyle across fashion in both apparel and home to create successful, fresh, marketable products, creates and gives design presentations of design concepts both internally and externally, works cross functionally with sales, product development, merchandisers, buyers, licensees and brand managers. Meets with vendors to source and develop new techniques that align with price goals, executes artwork per brand aesthetic for multiple fabrications from creation to CAD file, collaborates on photography and packaging. Continued proven success working creatively across many aesthetics and consumer markets and has helped succeed sales expectations in multiple brands and products.
1888 Mills New York, NY
Senior Textile Designer 2013 - 2015
Lead designer and fabric developer for multiple product categories. Traveled extensively through China to develop and design diverse material fabrications across brands that aligned with business goals and cost targets. Oversaw purchasing and budget of artwork and freelancers. Worked alongside a textile engineer to develop performance driven fabrics. Built up existing and new accounts alongside sales team. Communicated daily with Pakistan and China office on development.
Belle Maison Textiles New York, NY
Textile Designer & Product Developer 2011 - 2013
Directed pattern, color and design direction for fabric sold to the interior design trade. Engaged in trend and market research and communicated design concepts through trend boards, swatches, tears and color palettes. Built in-house design studio from the ground up and instituted use of software systems to organize entire product development process. Oversaw the purchasing and budget of artwork and freelancers, while building and maintaining an artwork library from the ground up. Trained associate designers to aid in design studio functions and textile development. Created colorways, cleaned and scanned artwork, followed design through entire product development process. Communicated with overseas vendors in Spain, Turkey and China. Traveled to Highpoint and Heimtex for sourcing and mill collaboration. Customers included premium converters such as Fabricut, Robert Allen, Kravet, Stout and Springs Global.
Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI
Textile Design Adjunct Faculty 2010 & 2013
Taught introductory courses in machine knitting and hand weaving. Students learn fabric structure, yarn properties, material and color usage and pattern drafting. Organized museum research component to class that taught design inspiration.
MacKellar & Assoc., Lion Brand Yarn Co. & Internation Textile Mfg. New York, NY & Rochester, Mi
Textile Design Consultant 2009 - 2012
Textile design and product merchandising consultant for companies producing a range of products from floor coverings to hand knitting yarn. Presented trend and style in customer meetings and communicated new color ideas and design concepts though presentations. Designed yarns with domestic, Turkish and Italian yarn mills to create yarns used in rug applications and knitted apparel. Color design included wools, polypropylene, acrylic and marled yarns. Art directed product photography and web development to maintain brand identity and increase sales.
Freelance, New York, NY
Costume and Set Design Assistant 2005 - 2007
Designed and fabricated costumes and props for film, television and print. Sourced fabric, notions and trim. Created color and material palettes. Assisted in fit sessions and altered clothing/costume as necessary. Organized the purchase, pick-up and return of props and costumes Maintained and worked within budget allocations. Clients include Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Glamour Magazine.
Sol LeWitt & Jean Cluade and Christo New York, NY
Artist Assistant 2004 - 2005
Assisted with the installation of Sol LeWitt wall drawings for Guggenheim Museum, DIA Beacon and Pace Gallery. Installed, maintained and de-installed the Gates project in Central Park.
SKILLS
Color & Pattern
Intuitive and expertly trained eye for color and how it applies to yarns and fabrics in multiple materials. Expert level of artwork creation from hand to computer, across a wide array of aesthetics.
Product Development
Experience working with China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Mexico and U.S. manufacturers.
Excellent vision for sourcing and developing an entire line.
Utilization of various software programs to organize product development.
Oversees communication with overseas vendors and develops tech packs for all designs.
Textiles
Extensive technical knowledge of woven, knitted,and embroidered fabrics
Extensive knowledge of printing techniques including flatbed and rotary screen printing for
both pigment and fiber reactive printing, digital printing, heat transfer printing and resist.
Extensive knowledge of embroidery design and development as it directly applies to price point.
Styling
Professional photo styling experience.
Creative leader in brand identity from development to merchandising.
Styled showrooms for Home Textile Market Week and Highpoint Market.
Styled and art directed product catalogues.
Led creative direction of product photography
Computer
Adobe Suite CS6 expert level
Nedgraphics, Texcelle, Weave Point, Pointcarre, M1 Stoll Knit
Microsoft Office (outlook, Word, Excel)
Excellent trouble shooting skills
Highly proficient on Mac and PC platforms
Travel
China, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, Morocco, Egypt & Europe for sourcing and inspiration
Dual citizen European Union and United States