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Fashion Apparel Product Development
Claire Hughes
,
London, United Kingdom
Experience
Other titles
Skills
I'm offering
I have 25 years experience in the Fashion Textile industry having started my career in buying, product development & sourcing working my way up to senior manager levels in UK and Internationally.
I have developed extensive technical and creative skills in woven and knit fabric development across many categories of women's men's and children's clothing. I can translate forward fashion trends in to commercial fabric innovations and garment collections working collaboratively with designers. fabric mills & manufacturers. I am passionate about the creative process and the excitement of creating new concepts.
My current project initiatives include the sustainable potential of hemp textiles and hemp bio plastics for applications in fashion, beauty, healthcare & beyond. I am an advocate of high quality UK textile manufacturing and I love to work with eco minded brands and dynamic personalities that share my passions. Contact me with your ideas, development & sourcing requirements.
I have developed extensive technical and creative skills in woven and knit fabric development across many categories of women's men's and children's clothing. I can translate forward fashion trends in to commercial fabric innovations and garment collections working collaboratively with designers. fabric mills & manufacturers. I am passionate about the creative process and the excitement of creating new concepts.
My current project initiatives include the sustainable potential of hemp textiles and hemp bio plastics for applications in fashion, beauty, healthcare & beyond. I am an advocate of high quality UK textile manufacturing and I love to work with eco minded brands and dynamic personalities that share my passions. Contact me with your ideas, development & sourcing requirements.
Markets
United Kingdom
Links for more
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Industries
Language
English
Fluently
Ready for
Larger project
Ongoing relation / part-time
Available
My experience
2017 - ?
freelance
Founder
Cirkiit Athleisure Ltd.
Freelance fixed term contract work undertaken on behalf of independent clothing brands.
Analysis of commercial business needs followed up with a bespoke, Sustainable, Product
Development & Sourcing Strategy.
Sustainable fibre & textile development (Hemp)
Analysis of commercial business needs followed up with a bespoke, Sustainable, Product
Development & Sourcing Strategy.
Sustainable fibre & textile development (Hemp)
Sourcing, Development, UP, Founder
2014 - 2017
job
Head of Buying, Product Development & Sourcing
Salt Rock Surf Wear.
A Surf Heritage Lifestyle Brand of Ladies Men's & Kids apparel, hardware & accessories.
The company established in the late 80's supported by a loyal surf community and has grown rapidly throughout the past decade in to a multi channel portfolio of 42 retail stores, e-commerce & wholesale
business with revenue around GDP 40 million.
Reporting to the CEO & board of Directors,
Managing a Buying, Design, Fabric/ Product Development Souring & Supplier management team.
Working cross functionally with Head of Merchandising, E commerce & Marketing.
The company established in the late 80's supported by a loyal surf community and has grown rapidly throughout the past decade in to a multi channel portfolio of 42 retail stores, e-commerce & wholesale
business with revenue around GDP 40 million.
Reporting to the CEO & board of Directors,
Managing a Buying, Design, Fabric/ Product Development Souring & Supplier management team.
Working cross functionally with Head of Merchandising, E commerce & Marketing.
Marketing, Design, Product development, Retail, E-commerce, Management, Sourcing, Hardware, Ceo, Community, Development, Loyal, Apparel, Accessories, Wholesale
2010 - 2013
job
Head of Product Development & Sourcing
George Sourcing.
Sri Lanka
Reporting to the Global Sourcing Director this role has responsibility for the Commercial development of Ladies wovens, denim & knits in casual and formal product categories.
Formulating sourcing strategies for Ladies, Men's & Children's wear.
The function of this role is primarily to represent the buyers in UK and work directly with the vendor
base briefing, executing & delivering on trend, value driven, commercial product ranges focusing on
innovative, creative strategies to maximise sales, margin and trading performance.
Leading and managing a team of product developers and suppliers and overseeing the critical path from design brief, to fabric sourcing through the entire sample development, costing, fitting, pre
production process coordinating with Head of Technical, Head of Production and George Central
Sourcing team in UK.
George office sales reached approx $US 130 million sales turnover within 3 years 45% driven by
ladies formal and casual dresses, soft separates and trousers.
Reporting to the Global Sourcing Director this role has responsibility for the Commercial development of Ladies wovens, denim & knits in casual and formal product categories.
Formulating sourcing strategies for Ladies, Men's & Children's wear.
The function of this role is primarily to represent the buyers in UK and work directly with the vendor
base briefing, executing & delivering on trend, value driven, commercial product ranges focusing on
innovative, creative strategies to maximise sales, margin and trading performance.
Leading and managing a team of product developers and suppliers and overseeing the critical path from design brief, to fabric sourcing through the entire sample development, costing, fitting, pre
production process coordinating with Head of Technical, Head of Production and George Central
Sourcing team in UK.
George office sales reached approx $US 130 million sales turnover within 3 years 45% driven by
ladies formal and casual dresses, soft separates and trousers.
Design, Product development, Sales, Sourcing, Costing, Development, Office, Production
2006 - 2010
job
Product Manager (Development & Sourcing)
Next Sourcing Ltd.
Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka
Reporting to the Regional Sourcing Director with responsibility for leading & implementing Product
development & Direct Sourcing strategies of multi product woven's, denim & knit categories within Sri
Lanka, India & Bangladesh that aligns with Next global commercial strategy.
Partnering and supporting Next UK commercial & design teams to identify supply chain solutions on
trending yarn, fabrics and product categories to feed in to seasonal range building & design briefs.
Collaboration with Next Sourcing Designers to source and develop value added, innovative product ahead of the season & competition ensuring the product offer meets price and lead time expectations
to drive sales and margin for Next Group.
Be the expert on international fashion trend and market influences, manufacturing capability in region and work proactively on development projects such as jersey, denim/woven yarn & fabric printing,
garment dyeing, washes & finishes.
Managing a local team of development merchandisers
Reporting to the Regional Sourcing Director with responsibility for leading & implementing Product
development & Direct Sourcing strategies of multi product woven's, denim & knit categories within Sri
Lanka, India & Bangladesh that aligns with Next global commercial strategy.
Partnering and supporting Next UK commercial & design teams to identify supply chain solutions on
trending yarn, fabrics and product categories to feed in to seasonal range building & design briefs.
Collaboration with Next Sourcing Designers to source and develop value added, innovative product ahead of the season & competition ensuring the product offer meets price and lead time expectations
to drive sales and margin for Next Group.
Be the expert on international fashion trend and market influences, manufacturing capability in region and work proactively on development projects such as jersey, denim/woven yarn & fabric printing,
garment dyeing, washes & finishes.
Managing a local team of development merchandisers
Design, Product Manager, Fashion, Sales, Sourcing, Development, International, Manager
2004 - 2005
job
Senior Buyer
Matalan.
Matalan Plc Skelmersdale, Lancashire Reporting to the Buying Manager
& Sourcing Director with responsibility for overall development, sales growth & profitability of value
driven, private label, on trend ranges of Men's jersey from price starter basics through to fashion
statement sweats, graphic t shirts, & lounge wear for the Matalan target customer.
Brands included 'Urban Sportswear' 'Lee Cooper' 'US athletic' and 'Easy Jeans'.
Re positioned the branded offer in store with greater segmentation to appeal to wider customer
profile.
Managed short and long lead time suppliers in Europe, South & East Asia & Delivered a product mix of value, branded fashion ranges with a sales turnover of approx GBP 30 million.
Mentored a team of 4 trainee, assistant buyer's & designer in critical path management, product
development, sourcing, supply chain management, fabric approvals, lab dips, deliveries & range sign off & presentations to Senior Managers.
& Sourcing Director with responsibility for overall development, sales growth & profitability of value
driven, private label, on trend ranges of Men's jersey from price starter basics through to fashion
statement sweats, graphic t shirts, & lounge wear for the Matalan target customer.
Brands included 'Urban Sportswear' 'Lee Cooper' 'US athletic' and 'Easy Jeans'.
Re positioned the branded offer in store with greater segmentation to appeal to wider customer
profile.
Managed short and long lead time suppliers in Europe, South & East Asia & Delivered a product mix of value, branded fashion ranges with a sales turnover of approx GBP 30 million.
Mentored a team of 4 trainee, assistant buyer's & designer in critical path management, product
development, sourcing, supply chain management, fabric approvals, lab dips, deliveries & range sign off & presentations to Senior Managers.
Fashion, Supply chain management, Management, Sales, Sourcing, PLC, Supply Chain Management, Growth, Development, Sportswear, Asia, Manager
2003 - 2004
job
Product Development Manager
Associated Independent Stores Ltd.
West Midlands
Reporting to the Trading Director, Responsible for the product development, Product Assortment,
branding, marketing, sales & delivery of AIS private label contemporary fashion aimed to sell in to mid
- high end specialist independent retail stores in UK & Ireland.
Development of coordinated product ranges including Knits, Jersey, Outerwear, Denim, Tailored & casual trousers and accessories.
Managing key customer accounts, sales & marketing to buyers and brand managers.
Sales turnover GBP 20 million.
Reporting to the Trading Director, Responsible for the product development, Product Assortment,
branding, marketing, sales & delivery of AIS private label contemporary fashion aimed to sell in to mid
- high end specialist independent retail stores in UK & Ireland.
Development of coordinated product ranges including Knits, Jersey, Outerwear, Denim, Tailored & casual trousers and accessories.
Managing key customer accounts, sales & marketing to buyers and brand managers.
Sales turnover GBP 20 million.
Marketing, Branding, Product development, Retail, Fashion, Sales, Development, Accessories, Manager
2000 - 2002
job
Senior Buyer
Ciro Citterio Menswear Plc.
West Midlands
Reporting to the Buying Director of a Menswear specialist retail brand of apparel, footwear & accessories
Responsibility for the Product Development, Sourcing, Sales, Profitability, stock control management and planning of men's casual and formal knit tops, shirts and accessories product categories.
Managing and developing a successful men's wear department with sales turnover of GBP 55m.
Accountability for product design, fabric and range development of formal & casual departments.
Collaboration with key stakeholders in design, technical and merchandise planning departments.
Managing direct sourcing with suppliers across Europe and Asia.
Managing Junior Buyer & assistant.
Reporting to the Buying Director of a Menswear specialist retail brand of apparel, footwear & accessories
Responsibility for the Product Development, Sourcing, Sales, Profitability, stock control management and planning of men's casual and formal knit tops, shirts and accessories product categories.
Managing and developing a successful men's wear department with sales turnover of GBP 55m.
Accountability for product design, fabric and range development of formal & casual departments.
Collaboration with key stakeholders in design, technical and merchandise planning departments.
Managing direct sourcing with suppliers across Europe and Asia.
Managing Junior Buyer & assistant.
Design, Product development, Product Design, Retail, Management, Sales, Sourcing, Development, Apparel, Accessories, Asia
1997 - 2000
job
Senior Buyer
Littlewoods Retail Stores Plc.
Cheshire
Reporting to the Buying Manager with responsibility for product development, sourcing & buying of Men's Jersey tops, lounge wear, shirts, ties, tailored trousers & accessories. Direct fabric and vendor
sourcing via Littlewoods sourcing offices and indirect through UK based importers.
Reporting to the Buying Manager with responsibility for product development, sourcing & buying of Men's Jersey tops, lounge wear, shirts, ties, tailored trousers & accessories. Direct fabric and vendor
sourcing via Littlewoods sourcing offices and indirect through UK based importers.
Product development, Sourcing, Development, Accessories, Manager
My education
1992
-
1993
University of Textile Engineering in Barcelona
BSc, Textile Technology, N/a
BSc, Textile Technology, N/a
1990
-
1994
De Montfort University Leicester
BSc, Textile Technology & Design
BSc, Textile Technology & Design
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