1. Design Lead, Product Devel. & Production Mngr. // HELM Boots // Austin, TX // 2014 – present
Design Lead while retaining duties as Production Manager. Development of seasonal concepts &
sketches for Mens, Womens and Accessories. Responsible for R&D, sourcing textiles, leather, trims,
outsoles, and developing custom soles. Oversees sampling process from first prototypes to final
salesman samples including fit comments and corrections. Creates purchase orders, assists wholesale
to fulfill orders (over 150k per year) and meet shipping deadlines, conducts fit testing, and makes edits
to initial designs and material edits to bring product in line with needed margins. Leads production for
over 4000 units/632k per year and over 60 unique SKUs per season. Factory liaison for 3 facilities to
produce main line goods and 5 facilities for lifestyle accessories. Heads product education, wholesale
outreach, design & marketing for advertising and outreach. Increased sales over 50% from LY in 2016.
Studio & Production Manager // HELM Boots // Austin, TX // 2012 – 2014
Design assistance, R&D, sampling and specification of patterns, correction of samples, creation of
technical drawings. Graphic design for ads, email blasts, seasonal look books, events and other print
collateral. Assisted in opening, design, and store management of flagship in Austin, TX. Supported
wholesale by opening 6 new accounts, organizing shipments, meeting shipping schedules, and
following up with buyers. Oversaw creative direction for all photo shoots, photography, and other
collateral.
Assistant to the Director // Austin Independent School District // Austin, TX // 2011- 2012
Personal assistant and office manager for the Director of Public Relations for AISD. Budget
management (500k), hired vendors and management of contracts valuing 100k, ensured payment of
contracted vendors, project tracking, synthesis of weekly reports, strategic plans and KPIs.
Studio Assistant // Zero + Maria Cornejo // New York, NY // 2010 – 2012
Full time studio assistant. Received and organized fabrics, assisted in pricing meetings, factory
errands, creation of documents for selling and pricing.
B.A. Linguistics:
University of Georgia, May 2010
B.A. Spanish:
University of Georgia, May 2010
Fluency in Spanish
Functional Italian
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
Proficiency in Excel, Powerpoint, Word
Experience with CAD software, Backbone PLM
Knowledge in creating tech packs & spec sheets
Experience Patternmaking & Yielding
EDUCATIONSKILLS
ETHAN BROWN4001 Maplewood Ave. Austin, TX 78722
703.9014038 || ethan@helmboots.com
Portfolio at ethanbrown.allyou.net
Featured in Garden & Gun (2014), Gear Patrol (2014),
Footwear News (2015), Tribeza (2016)
Selected for GQ's Boot Guide (2014)
ACCOLADES