Resume

Rowena Abriham

Senior Technical Designer

Guttenberg, New Jersey 07093

Cell: (917) 754-5624

E-Mail: roabriham@msn.com

Summary: Highly effective technical design professional with 20+ years of experience providing expertise

in fit and garment development for diverse client bases across multiple major fashion distributors. Proven

track record of coordinating live fitting sessions with clients and merchandisers, managing design teams,

conducting product and line reviews, and promoting design improvement.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Freelance Work Assignment, New York, New York October/2013 - Present

Senior Technical Designer

Mesh Technical Design

Winston Staffing Technical Design

Suzie Jessilyn Technical Design

Redcats USA, New York, New York April/2007 - September/2013

Senior Technical Designer | Tall & Plus Sizes

Supervised quality and specs consistency for specialty sizes (14W to 38W) of clothing ranging from Casual Dresses to Outerwear for various brands within a major commercial fashion distributor

Developed garment specs and sketches, oversaw mannequin and live model fittings, and conducted line and product reviews

Increased speed of production and turnover by creating womens apparel pattern blocks for use by overseas factories

Advised patternmakers through 6-week residencies in Shanghai and New Delhi by providing expertise to factory and office workers in topics including construction and sizing

Recorded and maintained database of detailed garment fit assessments

Kellwood Company, New York, New York July/2006 - March/2007

Senior Technical Designer | David Dart, Prophecy, and Sag Harbor

Led successful specs and quality management of three major brands for a key fashion design, manufacturing, and marketing company

Created spec garments and sketches, conducted comprehensive fit evaluations, and recorded assessment data

Assured perfect fits for all garments through comprehensive live model and mannequin fittings

Directed fitting sessions and reviewed lines and products, ensuring brand consistency

London Fog, New York, New York June/2005 - July/2006

Technical Design Manager

Directed design quality of womens evening dresses, coats, suits, and woven separates, for leading outerwear manufacturer

Managed technical team in creation of garment specs and sketches, conducted line reviews and fittings, and coordinated spec development data in company database

Improved fit quality and delivery speed through development of fit blocks for factory production

Oversaw and evaluated team performance, ensuring superior product development and garment fit

Resume

Regatta USA, Pacific Alliance, New York, New York May/2002 - June/2005

Senior Technical Designer

Developed technical specifications of Missy, Petite & Womens Dresses, Casual Separates, Tailored Separates, Suits, Cut & Sew Knits, Denim Bottoms & Outerwear for a premiere apparel company

Organized fittings and coordinated with models, designers, and product managers

Improved quality of samples through detailed development of technical specs

Advised technical team on adjustments and fit improvements, ensuring exceptional quality

Huguenot Clothing LTD | Soda Blue, New York, New York June/1996 - April/2002 Senior Technical Designer

Coordinated specs and design management of Womens Sportswear & Casual Dresses, Tops & Woven Bottoms, Tailored Jackets, Shirts, and Outwear for fashion distribution company

Oversaw spec and sketch development, pattern correction, and grading, collaborating with and reporting to multiple departments

Conducted live fittings and assessed production samples

Enhanced fit quality by making key adjustments to patterns for grading and production

French Connection, New York, New York April/1992 - May/1996

Production Patternmaker | Private Label Accounts

Oversaw spec development of Sportswear and Dresses for a global retailer/wholesaler of apparel

Managed communication with overseas offices, providing detailed fit/construction reports

Ensured excellence in fit and quality by coordinating fittings with merchandising team and leading pattern correction and grading

Rowena Sample Service, New York, New York February/1978 - April/1992

Production Patternmaker

Operated full-scale patternmaking service, providing samples and patterns to chief Sportswear and Mens & Womens apparel manufacturers

Created mens clothing samples and patterns for production and led technical staff, overseeing patternmaking, cutting, and sewing while ensuring consistency and quality control

EDUCATION

Coursework in Microsoft Excel, Word, Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, The Career Center - New York, NY

Coursework in Patternmaking, Draping, Sketching, and Grading Mayer School of Fashion Design New York, NY

Degree in Legal/Secretarial/Office Studies

Persauds Business School Guyana, South America

Degree in Business Studies

St. Marys College Guyana, South America

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Technical Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, PLM, Web PDM

Core Competencies: Garment Specs & Sketches, Fit Assessment, Product Development, Technical Direction, Line & Product Review, Team Management & Performance Evaluation, Flat

Patternmaking, Garment Construction, Draping, Grading, and Database Management