Footwear Design and Development

With over two decades of experience, I have worked extensively with heritage women’s and men’s casual, tailored, and athletic footwear brands. As an international product director, I spearheaded the design and development of footwear manufactured in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Taiwan, and China. My expertise spans across the entire product lifecycle, from trend research to designing and preparing technical packages for factory production, material sourcing, and obtaining production approvals. I have a hands-on approach and a perfectionist aesthetic, ensuring meticulous attention to detail at every stage. In addition to overseeing design and development teams, I have managed cross-functional teams, presenting trends to sales, marketing, and ready-to-wear teams. My role has also involved international travel to foster relationships with factories, oversee production, conduct trend research, source materials, and develop original branded hardware. Beyond my in-house roles with brands, I have leveraged my footwear experience as an external strategy consultant. For instance, I have assisted in building teams to launch new private-label footwear brands manufactured in Spain. Additionally, I have facilitated relationships with Spanish factories on behalf of clients for footwear production. Brand shortlist: Calvin Klein | Delman | Richard Tyler | Aerin by Aerin Lauder | BCBG Max Azria | Herve Leger | Aerin by Aerin Lauder | Nordstrom | Macy’s | Nine West | Lands’ End | Botticelli | Tabitha Simmons | Roberto Ley | Patricia Green.

I consulted a multi-generational tailored men's footwear brand/ factory to transition its specialty of Goodyear welt stitching production in a modern direction by applying the technique to sneakers. Made in Spain.

2019-2020

About my process, I begin each season by making hundreds of small brainstorming sketches to plan groups and construction ideas. The process helps to map out a direct and effective merchandising plan to align with the sales goals.

BCBG Max Azria Design Director Footwear, I was responsible for designing and developing six collections a year including runway, ready-to-wear wholesale, and vertical retail shoe collections. With production in Spain, Brazil, and China. 2010-201

As the Design Director for the oldest American women's footwear brand Delman, I was introduced to footwear production in Spain. Working in-house team in NY, and on the factory floor in Spain to perfect a clear vision each quarter to present for the wholesale market. 2008-2010

I have been working the global clients on private label women's and men's footwear lines. I had the pleasure of continuing to work with small Artisan factories in Elda, Spain, for several years. Working cross-functionally with Merchandising, Sales, and Supply Chain. 2010-2020

Web design is a critical component of an omnichannel strategy and branding. E-commerce websites enable fashion companies to launch direct-to-consumer models efficiently. Through web design, brands can establish an inspired and emotional connection with their customers. I have designed, directed, and developed each website for both the jewelry brands I founded and my global clients' brands. The design and content were meticulously crafted to reflect the values of the respective brands and to resonate with and attract their core customers.

I have a meditative night painting practice. I have consistently been painting large-scale abstract impressionistic paintings since 2000. Some years I paint more than others. I have been fortunate to have collectors who commission and decorate their homes with my work.

My experience in apparel design includes design and development for sustainable boutique clothing lines made in the USA. I co-created a private label clothing line, Montague, with a production agent in India. I begian my journey in apparel as a ready-to-wear sketcher for Marc by Marc Jacobs.

My admiration for artisan jewelers has been a constant throughout my career. Starting in the initial phases, I worked my way up to the position of design director for major fashion brands in both NYC and LA, specializing in women's footwear. A passion for crafting hardware and molding logos into designs that instantly communicated a brand's identity took root. Collaborating on each component with teams in sample rooms across Italy, Spain, and China marked the inception of my fascination with the creative possibilities that emerged from combining a diverse array of gemstones, metals, and synthetics. This exploration propelled me into mastering various techniques, including metalsmithing, wax carving, mold making, and most recently, stone carving. Entering the realm of jewelry entrepreneurship, I introduced two distinct lines: Alexis Laurel and a sister astrological line named Month Day Year Jewelry. Inspired by my background as an abstract impressionistic painter and fueled by my unwavering dedication to fashion design and culture, these ventures represent a synthesis of my creative pursuits.

I believe in a human-centered approach to innovative ideas toward practical possibilities for exciting new technology and products. Therefore, I am working with design thinking methodologies to integrate people's views and needs to explore the intersection of desirability, viability, and feasibility to deliver exceptional product experiences. For the IDEO design thinking certificate program, I chose a project challenge to ideate ways to assist the elderly in navigating common IT issues. Interviews with people allowed me to understand and pinpoint a real need for problem-solving IT issues enjoyably with the community's support. The name says it all; my goal was to innovate an app service that offers some fun AI features to make people smile.

For both of my jewelry brands (Alexis Laurel and Month Day Year) and my Footwear consulting clients, I created and launched omnichannel branding, distribution, and marketing strategies. I carefully researched each potential market and customer. Then, I merchandised a thoughtful product assortment that varied by season. I also selected a brand name and designed each logo. I initiated sales and marketing to wholesalers, retailers, and private label clients in brick-and-mortar and e-com distribution. I added both drop-ship and easy restocking to my client's business to drive sales during the changing times. In the area of e-commerce, I designed and developed websites, created marketing plans, and managed paid digital and social media teams/budgets. Despite the pandemic, my jewelry brands showed significant growth in sales and customer base.

My passion for interior design and architecture led me to design and manage the initial phases of a prominent rooftop bar and events space remodel in NYC in September 2018. Regrettably, project execution was halted due to the onset of the pandemic. Additionally, I have collaborated with architect Claudia Frieb on multiple residential and commercial projects.

I envisioned, crafted, and co-produced an enchanting vintage-inspired children's film pilot titled "Feather Dear." This eleven-minute stop-motion narrative was inspired by vintage aesthetics. I oversaw the recruitment, leadership, and management of a diverse array of talents, including animators, artists, chefs, writers, and composers based in New York. Together, we embarked on a collaborative journey, creating individual show segments and weaving them into a compelling storyline. We aimed to portray an inspirational world—a handmade, interactive community for children—emphasizing sustainability, a wholesome lifestyle, inclusivity, culinary arts, and performing arts.

Below are a few of the brands where I held roles as a Designer and Creative Director in fashion footwear and apparel and software with headquarters in NYC. In addition, I have also worked as a consultant creating mindful creative solutions and demonstrating decision-making across a variety of categories within organizations' branding, packaging, retail, strategy, guiding execution, ads, and collaboration with cross-functional partners. Client Shortlist: Wheelmind SOF | No 6. Store | Marc by Marc Jacobs | Aerin by Aerin Lauder | Nordstrom | Macy’s Nine West | Lands’ End | Feather Dear | Diana Broussard | Madeline Weinrib | Botticelli Lori Goldstein | Tabitha Simmons | Rubin & Chapelle | Roberto Ley | Patricia Green Collective Design Fair 2004 - 2024

↑Back to Top