Julie Besso
Vice President of Design
Los Angeles
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Summary
I am a VP of Design specializing in Men's and Women’s denim and sportswear. My skills include being an expert in fit and wash development, specialist in trend and marketplace research, innovator of ideas and processes, and a collaborative team player. During my 25 years of experience in the industry, I have gained a reputation among my peers as being an inspirational and trustworthy team leader. I am passionate about nurturing a creative environment that produces quality and good design. I am a true Denimhead obsessed with all parts of the development process of each season from initial concept and color all the way through to production.
Experience
2019
Sep
-
Present
VP OF DESIGN
DENIM AND WOVENSCalvin Klein / Los Angeles, CA
- Responsible for initial concept and color palette, to final production of the line each season
- Managed the denim rebranding and new design aesthetic launched in Fall 2020
- Updated all fits and added key trend blocks to be more competitive with the market
- Developed fabrics exclusively for JAG with multiple premium mills like Cone denim for fabric exclusives
- Partnered with Artistic Mills for fully vertical production
- Developed departmental objectives, budgets, calendar, procedures, and strategies
- Collaborate with the leadership team to establish organizational goals, strategic plans and objectives
- Travel to major denim shows, factories, mills, and vintage markets around the world
- Revamped team structure, streamlined the design process and improved the calendar.
2016
Jan
-
2019
Aug
DESIGN DIRECTOR
DENIM AND WOVENS / Montreal, QC
- Managed the denim rebranding and new design aesthetic launched for Fall 2018
- Updated all fits and added key trend blocks to be more competitive with the market
- Worked directly with BPD washhouse in NJ developing all wash standards and formulas
- Traveled to major denim fabric shows and shopped vintage markets around the world
- Collaborated with marketing teams to develop engaging campaigns that effectively communicated company messaging
- Managed 8 designers across Men's and Women's design teams for retail, wholesale and plus.
2013
Feb
-
2015
Sep
DESIGN DIRECTOR
DENIM / Los Angeles, CA
- Managed a team of 6 designers across Men's, Women's, Wholesale, Retail, and Outlet
- Introduced Premium Italian, Japanese, and USA fabrics to the denim assortment
- Responsible each season for the concept, color, fabric and branding
- Worked with all leading Premium denim mills and local LA laundries as well as in Asia and Mexico
- Under my leadership, the denim department saw huge growth and doubled in department depth
- Traveled extensively to major global cities for research and key fabric shows
2010
Jan
-
2013
Jan
SENIOR DESIGNER
DENIM AND WOVENS / New York, NY
- Under my leadership, the denim department saw huge growth and tripled in department depth
- Worked directly with BPD washhouse in New Jersey, developing all wash standards and formulas for the factories to follow
- Managed a team of 3 designers
- Traveled to fabric shows twice a year in Amsterdam and London for research and key fabric shows
- Traveled 4 times a year to Asia, working directly with our factories
- Worked with premium fabric mills, selecting key qualities for the season
- Sketching, creating theme boards and attending fittings
2004
Mar
-
2009
Jan
DESIGNER MEN'S WOVEN
Calvin Klein / New York, NY
- Designed all outerwear, woven shirts, bottoms and tailored suiting for Men's White Label Outlet
- Launched Men's White Label wholesale line for all woven and tailoring
- Traveled 4 times a year to Asia, working directly with our factories
- Worked with premium fabric mills, selecting key qualities for the season
- Sketching, creating theme boards and attending fittings
- Traveled to key fabric fairs in New York, Milan, and Paris for Denim and Woven.
2000
Jan
-
2004
Jan
ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
DENIM / New York, NY
- Helped develop, design and sketch Men's denim reporting into the Senior Designer of Denim.
- worked directly with the Giorgio Armani in Milan for all fit, fabric and sketch development
- traveled to key fabric shows in Paris and Milan for inspiration and shopping.
Education
Parsons School of Design
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN FASHION, DESIGN
COMPLETED COURSEWORK TOWARDS BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN FASHION
DESIGN, New York
Parsons School of Design,
May 2000
WEBSITE, PORTFOLIO AND PROFILES
Skills
