Shoe Boss: Global Fashion, Visual, UX & Interiors Design Consulting
A customized approach to business building, design and product development, based on your needs.
Creative Design and Illustration • Technical Product Development • Sourcing Management • Fashion and Trend Analysis • Product Launch • Product Innovation • Strategic Planning • Project Management • Marketing • User Experience Design • Visual Design • Interior Design • Trend Forecasting
About
I'm a Creative Director and Industry Advisor who currently runs a Global Fashion and Design Consulting Firm based in the Boston Seaport; as well as an urban and fashion-inspired accessories brand: Shoe York City, LLC. I specialize in balancing editorial and commercial opportunities for growing brands; as well as making tech, art and fashion education more accessible to everyone.
Introducing a new Footwear Design Program into Boston's School of Fashion Design and working as a lead instructor in Visual Design, UX Design, Marketing and Project Management at General Assembly Boston as well as an advisor for Northeastern’s Scout (Design) Program; I'm passionate about bridging gaps between design and tech in a modern world.
After earning a Master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco (2008), I returned to New York City to work as a commercial Footwear Designer on brands such as Via Spiga, Vince Camuto, Diane von Furstenberg and Alice + Olivia, later moving to New England to work on Clarks.
Professional Experience
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & INDUSTRY ADVISOR:
FASHION & DESIGN CONSULTANT
2019 - present
• Conceptualize all creative design and illustration
• Drive all technical product development and sourcing
• Curate and customize proprietary fashion/trend analysis
LEAD INSTRUCTOR/INDUSTRY EXPERT: GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BOSTON
2019 - present
• In-house Fashion, Footwear, Design, Accessories Expert
• Teach classes: Design, Adobe Programs, Marketing, UX
INSTRUCTOR/INDUSTRY EXPERT:
SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN, BOSTON
2019 - present
• Create and introduce Footwear Design Program
• Introduce CAD, technical, portfolio design and brand building
ADVISOR/INDUSTRY EXPERT:
NORTHEASTERN: SCOUT PROGRAM, BOSTON
2019 - present
• Lecturer and advisor for student co-op and job positioning
• Portfolio and resume advising and mentorship
INTERIOR DESIGNER: HAVENLY 2019 - present
• Create start-to-finish custom experience for client
• Source all furniture, accessories to suit client’s needs
• Fully render all spaces and create accompanying floor plans
FOUNDER/CREATOR: SHOE YORK CITY, LLC
2016 - present
• Create all product, media, advertisements
• Oversee all brand design and product development
SENIOR FOOTWEAR DESIGNER: CLARKS
2016 - 2019
• Infused fresh design/inspiration into the premium line
• Outperformed expecations in mass commercial sales
• Mentored and lead design and PD teams; travel
SENIOR FOOTWEAR DESIGNER: ALICE + OLIVIA /
2015 - 2016
• Directed design/development/trend/inspiration
• Executed creators’ (DVF and Stacey Bendet) vision
• Traveled frequently to Europe and Asia for PD/sourcing
SENIOR FOOTWEAR DESIGNER: VINCE CAMUTO
2014 - 2015
• Illustrated seasonal vision with hand drawing and CAD
• Shaped seasonal merchandising and color with Vince
DESIGNER/PD MANAGER: VIA SPIGA (CALERES)
2010 - 2014
• Streamlined processes for design and PD; much travel
• Collaborated with Creative director Paul Andrew
• Designed/presented seasonal line to customers/buyers
SENIOR BUYER/GM: BULO SHOES
2008 - 2010
• Managed all store operations/sales/staff/merchandise
ASSISTANT DESIGNER: TWENTY TWO SHOES
2005 - 2008
• Assisted design men’s/women’s shoes/handbags
Educational Experience
MASTER OF FINE ARTS: FASHION DESIGN 2005 - 2008
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
APPRENTICESHIP: FOOTWEAR CONSTRUCTION 2006 - 2008
Suzanne George Made-to-measure shoes, San Francisco, CA
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS: PHOTOGRAPHY/MEDIA 2001 - 2005
University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Vienna Film Festival Selection “My Closet” 2002
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PARIS; Paris, France 1999
Special Skills
MANAGEMENT:
• Creative direction
• Leadership
• Mentorship
• Collaboration
• Brand building
• Retail
• Buying
• Presenting
CREATIVE:
• Hand sketching
• Watercolor
• Fashion
• Trend forecasting
• Merchandising
• Photography
• Film
TECHNICAL:
• Footwear construction
• Fit
• Material sourcing and development
• Digital media
• Editing
• Drawing on last
SOFTWARE:
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Microsoft Office
• PLM
• Dreamweaver
• Basic Web Design
Contact
516.817.8808