Available to hire
Hi, I’m Jennifer Vaupel, a Creative Director and Garment Technician based in Tampa Bay. I partner with clients to develop custom garments, conduct fittings, and bring designs from concept to construction, traveling locally for fittings and consults. I work across production, product development, and branding to create unique garments and accessories, managing projects from concept through final production while collaborating with vendors and clients to keep brands on-trend and market-ready.
With experience in custom design, tailoring, packaging, and visual merchandising, I excel at translating client needs into wearable, production-ready pieces. I’m hands-on with pattern drafting, garment construction, and fit, and I thrive in fast-paced environments where collaboration and attention to detail drive successful outcomes.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Creative Director/Garment Technician at Jennifer Vaupel Custom Designs
March 1, 2022 - PresentTravels locally to clients within the Tampa Bay area for fittings and custom design services; conducts fit sessions; creates custom designs and patterns (hand and CAD); researches trends and fabrics; specializes in conceptualizing and constructing custom garments; maintains client relationships; manages appointment scheduling from consultation to final fitting.
Director / Production Manager at Faceplant Dreams Design
May 1, 2021 - PresentCreates and maintains products from development through buy/commits; analyzes product specs and aesthetics; uses Illustrator and Photoshop to develop designs; conducts in-house fit sessions; manages fabric and component samples; maintains sourcing libraries; collaborates with leadership, marketing, and vendors; manages technical design for apparel, accessories, and bedding; ensures fit consistency and packaging design.
Alterations Specialist at David’s Bridal
March 1, 2023 - October 20, 2025Performs client fittings per company standards; carries out alterations on bridal and formal wear; presses and cleans garments; ensures quality control before delivery; manages alteration tickets and pricing; resolves customer service issues; assists stylists to validate fit and educate customers about fit, construction, and trends; maintains equipment and supplies; conducts fittings and takes measurements.
Senior Product Development/Assistant Manager at Cousin Corporation of America
March 1, 2021 - October 20, 2025Manages multiple projects on tight timelines; tracks fashion and retail trends; assists Creative Manager in product design; updates product lines with buyers; creates and maintains tech packs; presents planograms and trend boards; develops finished accessories and jewelry components for mass retailers; travels for sourcing and trend research; collaborates with licensed brands; leads domestic and international communications to ensure brand alignment.
On-Call Costume Specialist at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
March 1, 2016 - October 20, 2025Supported holiday events (Howl-O-Scream, Christmas Town); maintained and altered costumes; assisted with test fittings; organized fabric and sewing supplies; fit entertainers and determine alterations; repaired garment components; developed and adapted designs for garments; sewed using various machines; assisted in wardrobe and makeup tasks as needed.
Director of Marketing/Design at Diane Dal Lago (Collegiate Fashionista)
April 1, 2014 - October 20, 2025Developed advertising materials (flyers, web pages, media kits); managed trade shows; developed collegiate licensing products; tracked fashion trends; managed design process for new accessories; updated samples with buyers; created CAD/tech sheets for vendors; developed measurements for design placements.
On-Call Production - Production Manager at Diane Dal Lago
April 1, 2012 - October 20, 2025On-call production management for Tampa-based operations; oversaw production processes across lines; coordinated with designers and vendors; ensured on-time delivery and quality controls; handled miscellaneous production tasks.
Visual Merchandiser - Visual Merch Manager at Bealls Department Store (Tampa/Brandon, FL)
September 1, 2012 - October 20, 2025Managed visual merchandising across store locations; planned layouts and displays; supported seasonal campaigns; supervised staff and inventory flow; ensured brand presentation.
Assistant Manager at Spencer Gifts (Tampa/Fort Myers, FL)
August 1, 2004 - October 20, 2025Assisted store management; supervised staff; contributed to sales planning and customer service; supported merchandising initiatives.
Assistant Manager at Forever21 (Jacksonville, FL)
February 1, 2002 - October 20, 2025Assisted in store operations; supported sales, merchandising, and customer service initiatives.
Assembly Line / Production Worker at ACS (Tampa, FL)
July 1, 2015 - October 20, 2025Assembly line work; supported production processes; participated in manufacturing.
Creative Director / Garment Technician at Jennifer Vaupel Custom Designs
March 1, 2022 - PresentTravels locally to clients for fittings and custom design services; conducts fit sessions; creates custom designs, patterns (hand and CAD); researches trends, fabrics, garment construction techniques; specializes in conceptualizing, drawing, and constructing custom garments for customers or brands; builds and maintains strong client relationships; manages scheduling of consultations from initial concept to final fitting.
Director / Production Manager at Faceplant Dreams Design
May 1, 2021 - PresentCreates and maintains all products from development through buy/commits; analyzes products for specification, construction, fit intent, and aesthetic; utilizes Illustrator and Photoshop to convey body, styling, fit intent, fabric, trim, and color; conducts in-house fit sessions; manages tech packs and sends changes to vendors; maintains sourcing libraries and communicates with Creative Director, Marketing/Sales, and vendors to ensure alignment; oversees technical design across women’s, men’s, gift items, and bedding; coordinates packaging and labeling with overseas vendors to uphold brand standards.
Alterations Specialist at David’s Bridal
March 1, 2023 - October 21, 2025Performs customer garment fittings to David’s Bridal standards; executes alterations on bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, and special occasion garments using industrial and hand sewing techniques; presses, steams, and spot cleans; conducts quality control and delivers altered garments by agreed fittings; documents alterations on tickets and addresses customer service issues; assists in closing sales with stylists; communicates supply needs and maintains equipment.
Senior Product Development / Assistant Manager at Cousin Corporation of America
March 1, 2021 - October 21, 2025Managed multiple projects on tight timelines; tracked fashion/retail trends to inform customer needs; assisted Creative Manager with new product line design; updated product lines with buyers; developed tech packs from concept to buy/commit with daily communications; created planograms, trend boards, and product submissions; developed accessories and jewelry components for mass retailers; traveled for sourcing and trend research; collaborated with licensors and international factories to meet commercialization requirements.
On-Call Costume Specialist at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
March 1, 2016 - October 21, 2025Worked during peak holiday seasons on Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town; maintained costume inventory; constructed and altered costumes and accessories for events; assisted with fittings; organized fabric and sewing notions; assessed and altered garments for performance, including fit and balance; performed minor repairs and pattern adaptations for shows.
Director of Marketing/Design at Diane Dal Lago (Collegiate Fashionista)
April 1, 2014 - October 21, 2025Developed advertising materials (flyers, web pages, media kits) for sales reps, customers, and vendors; managed trade shows; developed collegiate licensing products; tracked fashion trends to guide design; updated samples with buyers on a seasonal basis; created specifications and CAD sheets for vendors; developed measurements for design placements; collaborated on accessory lines and branding.
On-Call Production - Production Manager at Diane Dal Lago
April 1, 2012 - October 21, 2025Production management duties supporting on-call production workflows; coordinated production timelines and supplier communications to meet delivery targets.
Visual Merchandiser - Visual Merch Manager at Bealls Department Store
September 1, 2012 - October 21, 2025Managed visual merchandising and planogram execution; coordinated seasonal displays and merchandise layouts to align with brand standards; supported in-store marketing initiatives.
Assembly Line at ACS
July 1, 2015 - October 21, 2025Worked on assembly line roles supporting production processes; contributed to workflow efficiency and quality control.
Lead Visual/Sales at Burlington Coat Factory
July 1, 2010 - October 21, 2025Led visual merchandising and sales initiatives; oversaw storefront presentation and customer engagement during tenure.
Assistant Manager at Spencer Gifts
August 1, 2004 - October 21, 2025Assisted in management, merchandising, and customer service; supported store operations and staff development.
Assistant Manager at Forever 21
February 1, 2002 - October 21, 2025Opened and managed store operations, sales, and staff; supported visual merchandising and customer service.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing at International Academy of Design & Technology (Tampa, FL)
January 11, 2030 - October 20, 2025Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing at International Academy of Design & Technology (Tampa, FL)
January 11, 2030 - October 21, 2025Qualifications
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing
January 11, 2030 - October 20, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Education, Other
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