Melissa Coffey
Product Development
Apparel Design • Pattern Drafting • Merchandising
Creative and decisive technical designer and product developer focused on fast-paced line development with a full understanding of retail merchandising and buyer behavior including sales and marketing experience. Efficient, productive patternmaker and marker maker fully versed in current industry software and machinery. A highly-skilled, visual communicator versed in a variety of media forms: software, illustration, photography, etc. Credible teacher and natural public speaker, able to talk to selling points of product lines and motivate sales force. Well rounded, energetic team performer with practical yet highly creative solutions.
Core Competencies
• Creative Direction • Technical Design • Pattern Drafting
• Product Design • Product Education • Merchandising
• Fashion Illustration • Styling • Marker Making
Professional Experience
OneUp Innovations, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia 9/2006-Present
Director of Apparel and Product Design
Create new apparel lines from concept through production in a factory setting. Develop marketing and merchandising for lines and provide all creative direction on photo shoots through to website.
Formed an apparel division from ground up, developing product from concept through production. Introduced apparel into an existing business, integrating marketing strategies and product into current ad concepts. Through a managed a team of 6 employees, created specs, sewing processes, pricing and copy for all creations. Developed and graded patterns by hand as well as using Lectra Formaris, Modaris and Fecken-Kirfel software. Developed Markers with Diamino and Fecken-Kirfel.
Key Insights
• Forged a path for a new division in an existing business, Built entire apparel manufacturing capacity
• Accountable for sales response to own designs and creative direction as interpreted by consumers.
• Fully trained on all aspects of Lectra and Fecken-Kirfel software and machinery
Neiman Marcus Group, Atlanta, Georgia 12/2004-9/2006
Personal Sales, Selling Specialist
Personal selling and wardrobe consultant across all divisions. Managed and displayed lines of products growing sales and teaching customers and sales force.
Established and maintained a high profile clientele through wardrobe consulting and personal selling. Represented a line of luxury apparel for the Atlanta store, growing sales over 30% each season via personal selling and leading the sales force in selling the brand.
Key Insights
• Exceed all sales goals by reaching $1,000,000 in sales one full year before goal deadline
• Chosen out of all other national specialists to travel to London to participate in the Neiman Marcus buy with buyers and designer.
• Grew the Eskandar line by 32% and 52% in back to back seasons respectively, singly exceeding all sales goals nationwide.
Melissa Coffey Clothing Co. Atlanta, GA 10/2001-2006
Owner, Designer
Built and managed a startup apparel manufacturing company of women’s contemporary dresses, skirts and tops for specialty boutiques.
Managed all aspects of business operation ranging from finances and sales to product design and QC. Developed all concepts through to patterns and specs with final outsourcing to production houses. Created all marketing materials, planned all promotional events, and presented line at tradeshows, fashion shows and trunk shows.
Key Insights
• Featured as a designer, business owner, and product line and several prominent publications
• Personally designed for an international clientele of performers and models.
• Generated a clientele of boutique and personal bespoke clients.
Other Experience
ZeeBra by Lynn Saussy: Freelance design and patterns; consulting; illustration
Van Michael Events: Stage costume design and manufacturer for multiple productions
L’Asia Boutique: Developed private label line including patterns and production
Education
Bachelors of Fine Art in Fashion Design and Marketing, American Intercontinental University, 1996-2000
Extracurricular
Aerial dancer and acrobat
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST