PROFESSIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
BLAIRTATE LLC
Design Consultant -- 2019 to present
Drawing on 25+ years of experience in the home textiles industry (see below), expertise with all aspects of towel design and development
WELSPUN USA Inc
VP Design & Product Development 2012 to 2019
Responsible for design direction for all terry products (detailed below) as well as newly added rug division with capabilities for machine tufted and printed bath, accent and area rug design. Work closely with factory in India to incorporate new technical and material innovations into new design developments as we build this new business.
Design Director – Bath 2004 to 2012
Responsible for design direction for all terry products, both Welspun brands and private label, for domestic US market – customers include: Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Target, Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Anna’s Linens, BonTon, Boscov’s, TJX, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, (Linens ‘n Things).
Direct all towel and beach developments for Nautica brand for all channels of distribution.
Responsible for direction for Home Textiles market introductions twice per year and develop Welspun beach Collection annually. Work directly with mills in India and engaged in product development and technical innovation. Train designers from India to assist with all aspects of design and gain understanding of US market concerns.
Since I began with the company as the first employee of Welspun USA in 2004, the company has grown to be the #1 supplier for towels in the US market (HTT annual report, 2010)
Westpoint Stevens
Design Manager 1998 to 2004
Directed design of all woven towels for all customers, including: WPS brands: Grand Patrician, Martex, Utica; private label for Federated, May Corporate, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, Kohl's, Target, K-Mart, Walmart, Sears, and JCPenney. Worked with sales force to make customer presentations to buyers. Specified designs to mills.
Responsible for solid color and jacquard development for all Home Textiles market.
Styling Manager 1993 to 1998
Stylist 1992 to 1993
Awards (selected)
Cotton Inc Award, 1998, WPS Bath Fashions recognized for Colorblock Collection
Cotton Inc Award, 1997, WPS Bath Fashions recognized for Heather Collection
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Product Design:
Handbags. 2013 to present Prototypes and custom developments in nylon with leather straps.
The Omni Bag manufactured with Cherry Tree Products, Providence RI 1992
Teaching: (selected)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1987
Visiting Artist/Instructor: Fiber Department.
Courses include: Woven Structures I and II, Introduction to Fiber, Graduate seminar
Rhode Island School of Design, 1983 to 1986
Adjunct, Textile Design. Courses include: Senior Weaving III, Senior Thesis, Fiber Seminar
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design, B.F.A., Textile Design