Melissa Lilley Malone

Develop and create designs for seasonal collections from concept to final product. Conduct market and consumer trend research to guide design direction, then translate ideas into mood boards, colour palettes, and detailed fashion illustration CADs for tech pack and presentation use. Produce in-depth tech packs including design notes, measurements, grading, and fabric and trim requirements, and define company standard size measurements for target demographics. Support cross-functional collaboration with production and sales/marketing teams to ensure commercial alignment, select suitable fabrics and materials, run fittings with garment adjustments for fit and finish, and incorporate sustainable design practices.

Led range planning and designing to support product diversification and revenue. Managed, led, and supported the design team to create cohesive ranges across silos. Owned range calendars, forecasting lead times, and critical-path coordination. Sourced new fashion trends and generated monthly visions, mood boards, color palettes, and fabrications. Produced detailed tech packs and managed product development from initial drawings through to final samples, liaising with factories for production progress checks. Sourced trims and fabrics, ordered raw materials, and communicated with vendors. Managed product budgets and ROI, ensuring products meet engineered-to-cost standards and negotiated costs aligned with margin expectations. Coordinated proto samples for fit, quality, and construction, oversaw quality control, and managed samples for buy meetings and photo shoots to meet calendar dates. Communicated updates to achieve final fit and brand construction requirements.

Assisted with garment production, quality assurance, and model fittings with supplier garment technicians. Worked to product critical paths to ensure items moved through development to delivery, including coordination until stock was photographed and made available online. Kept the buyer and planner informed early on intake and confirmed repeat dates to protect sales-critical delivery timing. Understood the supplier manufacturing structure to recognize cost opportunities. Prepared weekly BSLs overall and by category plus intake summaries, performed order form entry and upkeep, raised purchase orders for new and repeat styles, and resolved issues by updating NAV, credit notes, and revised invoices. Tracked and chased deliveries to ensure commercial invoices and packing lists were correct, and supported brand social media management on Instagram.