Michel Le Anong

Creative and technical designer with vast experience in Buying, Merchandising, Design, Visual Merchandising and Management.  I recently just acquired international retail business experience working overseas in China. 

Experience

Kathryn Belle, A Division of Putnam Accessories Group,

June 2019 – Present                                                       

Los Angeles, California

Design Director – Apparel & Print/Graphics

·       Develop a womenswear collection of knit tops, dresses, and bottoms with prints

·       Collaborate with oversea factories to fulfill collection preparations

·       Communicate with different retail buyers on seasonal buys and assortments

·       Research current silhouettes, color, prints, and trends

·       Curate photo shoots for catalog and e-commerce publications

bebe, Inc. - Longgoal Holding LTD. Shanghai,

October 2017 – April 2019                                                           

Shanghai, China

Design Director/Merchandising Manager

·       Managed 1 Design Manager/Sample Room, 1 Senior Designer, 2 Designers, 1 Associate Designer, 1 Assistant Designer

·       Managed also 1 Sample/Fabric Buyer, Patternmakers, Sewers and Cutters

·       Collaborated in purchasing and merchandising seasonal buys with Planning and Allocations.

·       Directed Marketing Packets, Fashion Show, Look Book Shoots, Visual Merchandising, and Store Visual Operations

·       Created Trend Reports, Style Out Presentations, Catalog Styling, and Story/Color/Print development

·       Contributed in creating monthly themes/stories/deliveries for Main Line & Outlet Stores

·       Traveled to New York, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong & Korea for tradeshows, seasonal development and comparative shopping.

bebe, Inc.,

August 2013 – October 2017                                                                                                             

Los Angeles, California

Senior Design Manager – Knits Tops, Sweater Tops/Dresses, Seamless/Tubular, bebe Logo, bebe Sport and Outlet

·       Manage 1 Design Director, 1 Senior Designer, 5 Designers, 2 Junior Designers, 1 Associate Designer, & 1 Assistant Designer

·       Create Trend Reports, Style Out Presentations, Catalog Styling, and Story/Color/Print development

·       Contribute in creating monthly themes/stories/deliveries for Main Line

·       Approve all fit sessions and lab dips

·       Strategize department budgets and allocations

·       Travel to Asia, Europe and Canada for tradeshows, seasonal development and comparative shopping.

bebe, Inc., 

September 2009 – August 2012                                                                                                      

Los Angeles, California

Senior Designer – Accessories, Knits & Sweaters (Managed Woven Tops and Tubular)

·       Managed 2 Associate Designers & 1 Designer

·       Researched and designed all Accessories, Cut & Sew Knits and Sweaters

·       Comp’d +146% in Cut & Sew Knits within 6 months

·       Attended and approved all fit sessions

·       Approved all lab dips and production styles

·       Communicated and traveled to China (Hong Kong & Mainland) and Europe for all research, development and production

Costa Blanca, a division of Clothing for Modern Times (Canadian Retail),                                                                      

Los Angeles, California

March 2008 – September 2009

Head Designer

·       Directed trend, silhouette and color

·       Analyzed OTB in order to merchandise and buy for the store

·       Managed 2 Designer, 2 Technical Designer and 4 Fit Technicians

·       Communicated and traveled to Asian factories in regards to product development, pricing and production issues

·       Shopped domestic and international markets for research and development

·       Approved all lab dips, production and shipment samples

Arden B., a division of Wet Seal Inc.,

January 2007 – March 2008                                                                         

Irvine, California

Senior Designer – Knits and Sweaters

·       Categories include:  Cut & Sew Knits (Tops), Sweaters (Tops & Dresses), Handbags, Belts and Shoes

·       Designed for 60% to total company (Knit Tops 30%, Sweaters 20%, & Accessories 10%)

·       Traveled to Europe, Canada, Asia, and New York for research/shopping

·       Coordinated designs and measurements with Asian offices and sample rooms

·       Collaborated with Planners to determine how many styles to design per month

·       Worked with print houses to execute prints on Knit Tops and Accessories (Handbags and Scarves)

Andari Fashion,   

February 2003 – December 2006                                                                                                                            

El Monte, California

Designer to Senior Designer– Knits & Sweaters

·       Created and Supervised 4 lines (Les Coquettes, Sandrine, Si’en, and Em*El)

·       Handled private label business with brands such as Arden B., Guess, Marciano, Bebe, Urban Outfitters, and Nordstroms

·       Increased vendor base and revenue by 60% because of the recruitment of vendors and products

·       Managed 1 designer, 1 associate designer, 1 assistant designer, and 6 production coordinators

·       Communicated with our oversea factories regarding production with private labels and with our in house designs

Arden B., a division of Wet Seal Inc.,

June 2000 – February 2003                                                                          

Irvine, California

Asst. Buyer to Assoc. Designer – Apparel Sportswear (Specializing in Sweaters, and Cut & Sew Knits)

·       Designed and produced specifications of contemporary styles for domestic and overseas production

·       Coordinated fittings in order to produce correct measurements for production

·       Helped create and develop color and theme stories on different trends for different seasons

·       Aided in purchasing sportswear with concentration on Sweaters

·       Collaborate with Planners/Distributors on Open-to-Buys (Budgets), Assortment Planning, & Flows of Goods

Rampage, a division of Charlotte Russe Inc.,

March 1999 – June 2000                                                               

Los Angeles, California

Asst. Buyer - Knit Tops & Bottoms

· Shopped the fashion markets, including stores, shows, and periodicals, for current styles and trends

· Strategize with Divisional Merchandise Managers on forecasting and planning

· Worked with various vendors on Product Development and Promotional Programs

Education:

·       University of California, Los Angeles – Biology 1995

·       Fashion Institute of Design/Merchandising, Los Angeles – Design 1995

Computer Skills:

·        Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, & WebPDM

 Other Freelance Positions:

·        Designer:  Toast – Contemporary Cut & Sew Knit Tops and Dresses (Solids & Prints) 2006

·       Designer:  Kritik – Contemporary Active Sportswear 2006

Contract/Freelance Work, August 2012                                                                                                                                         

Los Angeles, California

Panfame Shanghai LTD/Ushop Worldwide – Designer/Sales/Production

·       Design full collection (apparel & accessories) to present to buyers and private label merchandisers

·       Sell/market the collection to potential buyer

·       Negotiate cost and delivery; and follow production from conception to delivery

Arden B., a division of Wet Seal Inc. – Trend Consultant

·       Advise trend for 3 seasons (Summer, Fall and Holiday 2013)

·       Created trend book of all categories:  knit/woven tops, sweaters, dresses, bottoms, denim, jackets/outerwear and all accessories

·       The trend book include color, print/pattern, and silhouette direction

·       Present to the top management, buyers, and marketing of the trends