I am a highly creative, motivated and detail-oriented fashion design professional with a passion for innovation and a track record of leadership and teamwork. I enjoy turning concepts into commercially viable products while maintaining integrity and a solution-focused mindset. Over the years I have led design for Deadly Ponies (Accessories, Apparel and Footwear) and built bespoke couture work for performers, while collaborating with international manufacturers and creative partners. I’m always eager to learn, adapt, and manage multiple projects from concept through to production and in-store presentation.…

Ian Bernhard

I am a highly creative, motivated and detail-oriented fashion design professional with a passion for innovation and a track record of leadership and teamwork. I enjoy turning concepts into commercially viable products while maintaining integrity and a solution-focused mindset. Over the years I have led design for Deadly Ponies (Accessories, Apparel and Footwear) and built bespoke couture work for performers, while collaborating with international manufacturers and creative partners. I’m always eager to learn, adapt, and manage multiple projects from concept through to production and in-store presentation.…

Available to hire

I am a highly creative, motivated and detail-oriented fashion design professional with a passion for innovation and a track record of leadership and teamwork. I enjoy turning concepts into commercially viable products while maintaining integrity and a solution-focused mindset.

Over the years I have led design for Deadly Ponies (Accessories, Apparel and Footwear) and built bespoke couture work for performers, while collaborating with international manufacturers and creative partners. I’m always eager to learn, adapt, and manage multiple projects from concept through to production and in-store presentation.

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Beginner
French
Beginner
Italian
Beginner

Work Experience

Design Lead - Accessories, Apparel and Footwear at Deadly Ponies
April 30, 2025 - September 10, 2025
Led the design department in developing seasonal collections from concept to store, aligning with brand direction and market trends. Managed on-site teams and liaised with international manufacturers, tanneries and suppliers to ensure quality, on-time delivery and KPI achievement. Directed product strategy, budgeting and cross-functional collaboration with marketing, while supporting the marketing team in campaigns in the absence of a Team Lead.
Bespoke Garment and Costume Designer at Freelance
April 1, 2025 - September 10, 2025
Bespoke garment and headpiece design and construction; corsetry; beading and embellishment; painting and dyeing; padding and garment sculpting; garment engineering for performance. Designed and constructed custom performance and appearance wear for burlesque and drag performers, incorporating a diverse range of niche skills to create unique client pieces.
Designer - Accessories, Apparel and Footwear at Deadly Ponies
May 1, 2023 - September 10, 2025
Created a new footwear category; pattern making, technical specifications and assembly/construction. Sourced components, materials, leather, suppliers and manufacturers. Directed campaign photography concepts and set design; visual merchandising and store window design. Collaborated with European tanneries and factories to launch signature styles and grow the footwear category as a revenue stream.
Junior Designer - Accessories, Apparel and Jewellery at Deadly Ponies
September 1, 2020 - September 10, 2025
Designer of DLYP (former international sister brand to Deadly Ponies). Offshore production shift; design and production assistance; tech pack creation; BOM management. Targeted European and American luxury markets and contributed to international accounts (Selfridges London, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a-Porter, Beams Tokyo). Jewellery capsule collections designed; a pair of earrings worn by Jacinda Ardern for Time Magazine cover (March 2020).
Sales Assistant - Apparel at Witchery, Country Road Group
September 1, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Sales and customer liaison; daily store and staff management; responsibilities in financial management and store operations.
Design and Sales Assistant - Bespoke Apparel at The Cupboard
September 1, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Bespoke pattern making, garment cutting and preparation to support bespoke clientele.
Lecture Assistant - Apparel Pattern Making at Auckland University of Technology
May 1, 2015 - September 10, 2025
Assisted in pattern making training for approximately 80 first-year students, covering fundamentals of pattern making for fashion apparel.
Design Intern - Bespoke Apparel at Liz Mitchell
August 1, 2014 - September 10, 2025
Sewing and construction; toiling and preparation of test prototypes for bespoke garments; assisting in fittings and finishing.
Design Lead - Accessories, Apparel and Footwear at Deadly Ponies
April 1, 2025 - September 10, 2025
Led the Design Department in developing seasonal collections from concept to store, aligning with the brand direction and trend-driven target market research. Managed on-site design teams and coordinated with international suppliers to ensure KPI and budget targets were met. Drove product strategy through data-driven analysis, presented seasons to stakeholders and direct-to-consumer channels, and supported Marketing leadership in the absence of a Team Lead.
Bespoke Garment and Costume Designer at Freelance
April 1, 2025 - September 10, 2025
Design and construction of bespoke performance garments, headpieces, corsetry, beading, painting and garment sculpting for Burlesque and Drag performers. Responsible for concept to fittings, tailoring, and engineering of appearance wear.
Designer - Accessories, Apparel and Footwear at Deadly Ponies
May 1, 2023 - September 10, 2025
Created a new footwear category; pattern making, technical specifications and assembly/construction. Sourced components, materials, leathers and suppliers; directed campaign photography and set design; contributed to visual merchandising and store window design. Helped expand footwear category into a significant revenue stream with European tanneries and factories.
Junior Designer - Accessories, Apparel and Jewellery at Deadly Ponies
September 1, 2020 - September 10, 2025
Designed DLYP line and assisted in production shifts offshore; provided tech pack creation and BOM management; contributed to targeting European and American luxury markets; developed capsule jewellery collections.
Sales Assistant - Apparel at Witchery, Country Road Group
September 1, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Sales liaison with daily store and staff management; customer service; opened/closed the store and managed financials; contributed to sales targets and store operations.
Design and Sales Assistant - Bespoke Apparel at The Cupboard
September 1, 2018 - September 10, 2025
Bespoke pattern making, garment cutting and preparation for bespoke clientele; supported tailored pattern making and production workflows.
Lecture Assistant - Apparel Pattern Making at Auckland University of Technology
May 1, 2015 - September 10, 2025
Assisted in pattern making teaching, supporting approximately 80 first-year students with fundamentals and practical demonstrations.
Design Intern - Bespoke Apparel at Liz Mitchell
August 1, 2014 - September 10, 2025
Sewing and construction for bespoke garments, toiling and test prototypes; assisted in cutting, fittings and finishing.

Education

Bachelor of Design Honours at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - November 1, 2016
Bachelor of Design at Auckland University of Technology
March 1, 2012 - November 1, 2014

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Consumer Goods