Hi, I’m Michaela Lassen, an apparel and accessories designer with a strong focus on menswear and a track record of translating trends into high-quality, market-ready products. I hold a Fashion Design Diploma (NQF6) from Cape Town College of Fashion Design and have built experience across brand development, editorial styling, and production coordination. I’m proficient with CAD workflows and design software, and I thrive in cross-functional teams that bring concepts from idea to finished product. I’m passionate about delivering innovative, on-brand designs on time while nurturing strong relationships with production, marketing, and wholesale partners. I enjoy staying ahead of fashion trends, leading with creative concepts, and refining processes to shorten lead times and improve sample-to-production efficiency. My aim is to contribute to brand growth by delivering compelling designs that resonate with customers and align with strategic goals.…

Michaela Lassen

Hi, I’m Michaela Lassen, an apparel and accessories designer with a strong focus on menswear and a track record of translating trends into high-quality, market-ready products. I hold a Fashion Design Diploma (NQF6) from Cape Town College of Fashion Design and have built experience across brand development, editorial styling, and production coordination. I’m proficient with CAD workflows and design software, and I thrive in cross-functional teams that bring concepts from idea to finished product. I’m passionate about delivering innovative, on-brand designs on time while nurturing strong relationships with production, marketing, and wholesale partners. I enjoy staying ahead of fashion trends, leading with creative concepts, and refining processes to shorten lead times and improve sample-to-production efficiency. My aim is to contribute to brand growth by delivering compelling designs that resonate with customers and align with strategic goals.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Michaela Lassen, an apparel and accessories designer with a strong focus on menswear and a track record of translating trends into high-quality, market-ready products. I hold a Fashion Design Diploma (NQF6) from Cape Town College of Fashion Design and have built experience across brand development, editorial styling, and production coordination. I’m proficient with CAD workflows and design software, and I thrive in cross-functional teams that bring concepts from idea to finished product. I’m passionate about delivering innovative, on-brand designs on time while nurturing strong relationships with production, marketing, and wholesale partners.

I enjoy staying ahead of fashion trends, leading with creative concepts, and refining processes to shorten lead times and improve sample-to-production efficiency. My aim is to contribute to brand growth by delivering compelling designs that resonate with customers and align with strategic goals.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Menswear Designer at Pepkor Speciality (SPCC)
September 1, 2021 - Present
Promoted from junior designer to designer in October 2022 for exceptional design quality and project execution. Conduct extensive market research to forecast trends, fabrics and design techniques, aligning with brand identity. Implement innovative design techniques and fabrication to create unique, high-quality menswear items. Conceptualisation and development of seasonal collections, creating full technical packs and linebooks to support seamless production and sales presentations. Update technical specifications, including grading, construction details and garment measurements for production team. Enhancing production quality by reviewing and approving sample garments for quality, fit and aesthetic, achieving 100% on-time delivery for each collection. Analyzing sales data and customer insights to inform future design decisions and improve product offering. Contribute to cross-functional team efforts by maintaining clear communication with production, planning, marketing and wholesale
Apparel and Accessories Designer at Michaela Lassen (Self-Brand / Studio)
January 1, 2024 - October 16, 2025
Conducted comprehensive market research to identify new trends, fabrics, and techniques. Conceptualised and developed apparel from inception to final product, aligning with brand profile. Designed ranges for upcoming seasons, selected colorways and fabrics, utilising Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Designed CADs for collections, prepared technical packs, range plans and trend/mood boards. Oversaw the production of garments - this included pattern adjustments and grading, sourcing of fabric and trims and garment labeling. Managed administrative duties, including website and social media product shots and on-site assistance during production of apparel. Resolved customer complaints, maintained strong customer relationships, contributing to brand loyalty and repeat business.
Designer at Philosophy by Jenni Button
July 1, 2021 - October 16, 2025
Page conceptualisation for various magazines. Product imagery for Food and Home, Woman and Home and TFG magazines. This included creating brand briefs; source and manage high-res assets from brands, ensuring they align to specifications; create mood boards to guide editors on page design and layout.
Intern Stylist at Highbury Media
September 1, 2021 - October 16, 2025
Page conceptualisation for various magazines. Product imagery for Food and Home, Woman and Home and TFG magazines. This included creating brand briefs; source and manage high-res assets from brands, ensuring they align to specifications; create mood boards to guide editors on page design and layout. Wardrobe organisation and inventory management. Sample management - coordinated the sourcing and returns of fashion samples from brands and the shoot props. Scheduled photoshoots and coordinated with models and photographers. Responsible for building and maintaining our designer brands portfolio.

Education

Fashion Design Diploma NQF6 (Graduated with Distinction) at Cape Town College Of Fashion Design
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment
    paper Design Portfolio
    This is my portfolio showcasing my design work over the years. pdf…