1. Category design leader for leading initiative and top selling men’s franchise: ZerøGrand
Establish and oversee new women’s concept of performance lifestyle product: StudiøGrand
Responsible for full design and execution of ZerøGrand product category
Collaborates to establish collection and seasonal design direction
Expanded franchise to include new, trend driven and market appropriate fashion silhouettes and styles
Designs contributed to net sales increase of 400% from Fall 2015 (as of 2Q15) over Fall 2014
Designs selected to be included in key marketing story for Fall 2015 & Spring 2016; global print, digital and
Cole Haan retail store campaigns
Mentors and guides junior and cad designers on shoe building process and color and material application
Point person to drive and implement technical and sport influenced features, applications and material development
Collaborates with product marketing/merchandising and development to create brand-relevant product line
Presents all final designs to VP of Merchandising and Creative Director
Lead decision maker on trips to production factories
Works with development to create cost and manufacturing effective product solutions
ADIDAS GROUP: REEBOK INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Global Footwear Designer II: Studio / Women’s Training
Canton, Massachusetts, January 2013 - June 2014
Collaborated with Design Director on overall design aesthetic and direction
Created ownable and marketable upper and bottom technologies for the Studio business unit
Researched and designed Reebok’s first Cardio footwear collection
Key collection products, Cardio Ultra & Cardio Pump, selected to be on Intersport.com home page
Collaborated with Biomechanics, lead Product Developer, and top Les Mills athletes to launch the
first product created for studio specific footwear
Designed and collaborated cross functionally with Reebok Advanced Concepts on the re-launch
of the Reebok Pump; Key brand initiative for 2015
Key decision maker during design and development trips
Developed and managed junior designers and summer interns
Pioneered Reebok Footwear Studio Project at the College for Creative Studies; Detroit Michigan
Coordinated semester long project for college students, teaching footwear design process
Created student project emphasizing Reebok brand position and design for an upcoming fitness movement
Mentored and led 25 students on: problem solving, story telling, sketching, and presentation skills
Global Footwear Designer I: Studio / Women’s Training
January 2012 - January 2013
Selected to design Reebok’s newly created Studio footwear line
Designed Reebok’s first athletic dance collection
New collection received 150+ online consumer reviews; average 4.5 out of 5 star rating
Received a United States Patent for category leading dance outsole technology
Awarded internal design award for Best Designed Product for Fall 2013
Associate Designer: Running
February 2011 - January 2012
Designed running concepts for Reebok RealFlex and ZigTech franchises
Created 2D and 3D concept drawings for product briefs and proactive projects
Developed clear and cohesive tech packs and corrected shell patterns and blue prints
Design Apprentice: Classics
July 2010 - February 2011
Chosen from over 300 applicants, as 1 of 2 hires, for a 1-year post graduate training program
Designed several sneaker collaborations under manager’s direction
COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES. Detroit, Michigan.
B.F.A. Major: Product Design. December 2009
GPA 3.6 Dean’s List six semesters
Specializes in trend, fashion and performance research, 2D and 3D sketching, Sketchbook Pro,
Adobe CC Illustrator & Photoshop, tech packs, blueprints, shell patterns
Design Skills:
Education:
Global Footwear Designer, Men’s and Women’s Sport Lifestyle
New York City, New York, June 2014 - Present.
COLE HAAN
347 W. 55th St. # 3D
New York, NY 10019
1.313.549.3564
chrisvella86@gmail.com
Experience: (Double click above link to view portfolio)
http://chrisvella.myportfolio.com/