MAKING IDEAS INTO REALITY


SINCE 1999

–

 

I am a designer, head of product development & production and chief of operations. I work with US manufacturers in New York and Los Angeles, as well factory partners overseas in China, India, Portugal, Peru, Brazil, and Turkey.

I am a specialist in raw materials sourcing and am connected with dozens of fabric, trim and material suppliers. Materials sourcing is one of my favorite aspects of the job, so I can really nerd out over fibers and materials; and pride myself in sourcing the right materials for the design and price point.

I am expert in product development, with a strong understanding of fit and construction, helping take designs to a factory with well thought out details that are realistic and constructed correctly for the target price point. I have experience developing and producing every apparel category, as well as accessories, soft goods and hard goods. Building a strong foundation with well-organized product development is the key to ensuring production runs smoothly, so ideally I participate in both the development and production process.

I’ve been working as a product development and production manager for over two decades. Most of the people I work with have known me for most of my career, so I can help you answer the questions you don’t know to ask and connect you to the people who can help make it happen.

I genuinely love what I do and am happy to admit that I continue to learn daily, even after decades in the industry.

 

ABOUT COURTNEY

I began my career in fashion as a teenager in1999, selling handmade surf trunks by seamstress Sato Hughes, who had been making bespoke shorts for Southern California surf shop, Kanvas by Katin, since 1961. From Sato I learned how to take measurements (sometimes even over the phone), work from blocks, spread and cut fabric, and organize patterns. A few years later, I worked as a vintage buyer and store manager for Japanese distribution company Ragtime Cowboy and its Los Angeles-based sister retail store, Imonni Vintage. Working alongside owner, head buyer, and designer Eiko Wise gave me the foundational education for the work I do today. Eiko was ahead of the curve in terms of vintage reconstruction, ‘up-cycling’ caftans and damaged maxi dresses to create renewed clothing, often using dead stock vintage fabric for her designs that she sold alongside impeccable 1950s–1970s vintage clothing, home goods and accessories. From these two women, I learned details of fashion construction and handmade clothing production, as well as how to run a business and make product.

In 2004, I started freelancing and working in-house with several brands, providing development and production management to emergent and established lines; manufacturing heavily in the US, as well as globally.

As a result of my experience working closely with fabric mills, pattern makers, sample makers, tech designers, graders, cutters, sewers, printers and finishers—all in a factory setting—I gained a diverse skill-set over the course of more than two decades in the industry. Given this tenure and my background in design, I am an expert with regards to construction and production.

I studied at the University of Southern California, earning two bachelor’s of arts degrees in Visual Anthropology and Philosophy.

I currently live in NYC, working between New York and Los Angeles.