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I am an experienced fashion designer with over 10 years working in high-end and commercial fashion brands, as well as leading my own label. I specialize in womenswear design and creative direction, combining trend research with advanced technical skills to deliver innovative, performance-driven collections that connect with consumers. My passion lies in creating standout fashion experiences that align with brand aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries. Throughout my career, I have collaborated cross-functionally with product development, materials, and merchandising teams, ensuring quality and fit standards are met. I am continually inspired by current and future trends, and I enjoy translating conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed sketching and digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Centric PLM. I am motivated by empowering women through functional and stylish apparel that speaks to their everyday lives and athletic pursuits.…I am an experienced fashion designer with over 10 years working in high-end and commercial fashion brands, as well as leading my own label. I specialize in womenswear design and creative direction, combining trend research with advanced technical skills to deliver innovative, performance-driven collections that connect with consumers. My passion lies in creating standout fashion experiences that align with brand aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries. Throughout my career, I have collaborated cross-functionally with product development, materials, and merchandising teams, ensuring quality and fit standards are met. I am continually inspired by current and future trends, and I enjoy translating conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed sketching and digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Centric PLM. I am motivated by empowering women through functional and stylish apparel that speaks to their everyday lives and athletic pursuits.

Essie Buckman

Designer, Creative Director, Illustrator, +1

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I am an experienced fashion designer with over 10 years working in high-end and commercial fashion brands, as well as leading my own label. I specialize in womenswear design and creative direction, combining trend research with advanced technical skills to deliver innovative, performance-driven collections that connect with consumers. My passion lies in creating standout fashion experiences that align with brand aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries. Throughout my career, I have collaborated cross-functionally with product development, materials, and merchandising teams, ensuring quality and fit standards are met. I am continually inspired by current and future trends, and I enjoy translating conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed sketching and digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Centric PLM. I am motivated by empowering women through functional and stylish apparel that speaks to their everyday lives and athletic pursuits.…I am an experienced fashion designer with over 10 years working in high-end and commercial fashion brands, as well as leading my own label. I specialize in womenswear design and creative direction, combining trend research with advanced technical skills to deliver innovative, performance-driven collections that connect with consumers. My passion lies in creating standout fashion experiences that align with brand aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries. Throughout my career, I have collaborated cross-functionally with product development, materials, and merchandising teams, ensuring quality and fit standards are met. I am continually inspired by current and future trends, and I enjoy translating conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed sketching and digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Centric PLM. I am motivated by empowering women through functional and stylish apparel that speaks to their everyday lives and athletic pursuits.

Available to hire

I am an experienced fashion designer with over 10 years working in high-end and commercial fashion brands, as well as leading my own label. I specialize in womenswear design and creative direction, combining trend research with advanced technical skills to deliver innovative, performance-driven collections that connect with consumers. My passion lies in creating standout fashion experiences that align with brand aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries.

Throughout my career, I have collaborated cross-functionally with product development, materials, and merchandising teams, ensuring quality and fit standards are met. I am continually inspired by current and future trends, and I enjoy translating conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed sketching and digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Centric PLM. I am motivated by empowering women through functional and stylish apparel that speaks to their everyday lives and athletic pursuits.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Work Experience

Senior Designer Womens (F) at Under Armour

May 1, 2025 - August 27, 2025

Led womenswear design efforts focused on innovative performance apparel, collaborating with the concepts, product development, and materials teams to integrate new fabric technologies like moisture-wicking, breathable, and winterized materials. Produced technical flats and detailed tech packs using Centric PLM systems, ensuring design feasibility and quality. Designed exclusive womenswear, lingerie, loungewear, and denim collections through partnerships with high-profile brands, contributing to limited edition and co-branded products. Consulted on trend analysis and womenswear-specific collaborations, conducted extensive fittings to meet fit intent and aesthetic standards, and provided fashion illustrations to cross-functional teams.

Senior Designer / Illustrator (F) at Willy Chavarria

May 1, 2025 - Present

Contributed to the Spring/Summer 2026 womenswear collection with both design concepts and detailed illustrations. Developed key garment ideas from initial sketches through production-ready designs, collaborating closely with the creative team to ensure alignment with brand vision and storytelling. Translated conceptual ideas into tangible fashion designs.

Senior Designer New Product Ventures at Calvin Klein

December 31, 2024 - August 27, 2025

Designed womenswear collections focusing on new product innovation and ventures. Developed detailed technical sketches and tech packs utilizing PLM systems to facilitate seamless communication between design, product development, materials, and merchandising teams. Participated in consumer and trend analysis, collaborating with global concepts teams to pitch womenswear-specific collaborators and innovations. Managed extensive garment fittings to align fit intent, fabric quality, and aesthetic.

Founder / Creative Director at Fortie Label

January 1, 2016 - Present

Founded and directed the creative vision for Fortie Label, managing collections across London and New York. Specialize in womenswear featuring intimate apparel and loungewear. Oversee all aspects of brand development, trend analysis, and collaboration with external designers and brands for limited edition and co-branded collections.

Designer II at Nike

December 31, 2022 - August 27, 2025

Conducted in-depth trend research and consumer insights analysis to translate data into relevant new womenswear design concepts that met athletes' performance needs and geographic specifications. Re-set and developed the women's Phoenix Fleece mid-weight program in partnership with the materials team. Created trend relevant staple items resonating with athletes and consumers, introduced a womens trend-based sportswear-focused line balancing fashion and athletic aesthetics. Oversaw technical production details including tech packs, bills of materials, and extensive fittings to ensure fit and execution quality towards Nike’s brand vision of empowering women through function and style.