I’m a designer passionate about the art of making - from concept and color to the smallest finishing touch. My work blends creativity, a strong sense of texture and proportion, and an eye for storytelling to bring apparel and lifestyle collections to life. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), known globalIy for its excellence in art and design education, I approach every project with care and curiosity, creating designs that feel expressive, refined and true to each brand’s essence. Over the years, I’ve designed and developed collections across women’s, men’s, and lifestyle categories. My process is highly tactile and intuitive, combining a deep understanding of trend and craftsmanship with an enduring love of design. Whether collaborating with established brands or helping new ones find their visual voice, my intention is always to create work that feels both distinctive and authentic. I’m continually inspired by the intersection of art, design, and everyday life - and by the way thoughtful design can elevate the ordinary.…

Lesley Potter

I’m a designer passionate about the art of making - from concept and color to the smallest finishing touch. My work blends creativity, a strong sense of texture and proportion, and an eye for storytelling to bring apparel and lifestyle collections to life. A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), known globalIy for its excellence in art and design education, I approach every project with care and curiosity, creating designs that feel expressive, refined and true to each brand’s essence. Over the years, I’ve designed and developed collections across women’s, men’s, and lifestyle categories. My process is highly tactile and intuitive, combining a deep understanding of trend and craftsmanship with an enduring love of design. Whether collaborating with established brands or helping new ones find their visual voice, my intention is always to create work that feels both distinctive and authentic. I’m continually inspired by the intersection of art, design, and everyday life - and by the way thoughtful design can elevate the ordinary.…

Available to hire

I’m a designer passionate about the art of making - from concept and color to the smallest finishing touch. My work blends creativity, a strong sense of texture and proportion, and an eye for storytelling to bring apparel and lifestyle collections to life.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), known globalIy for its excellence in art and design education, I approach every project with care and curiosity, creating designs that feel expressive, refined and true to each brand’s essence.

Over the years, I’ve designed and developed collections across women’s, men’s, and lifestyle categories. My process is highly tactile and intuitive, combining a deep understanding of trend and craftsmanship with an enduring love of design. Whether collaborating with established brands or helping new ones find their visual voice, my intention is always to create work that feels both distinctive and authentic.

I’m continually inspired by the intersection of art, design, and everyday life - and by the way thoughtful design can elevate the ordinary.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Designer / Design Consultant at Self-Employed
February 1, 2025 - Present
Provide design and product development expertise to a variety of clients in the apparel and lifestyle sectors. Collaborate on seasonal collections, trend forecasting, and brand identity development, while offering strategic insights to optimize creative processes and enhance market impact.
Apparel Designer, Draper’s & Damon’s Division at Bluestem Brands
February 1, 2025 - October 23, 2025
Led seasonal concept execution, color direction, and product development for the Draper’s & Damon’s line during a major organizational restructure. Partnered with cross-functional teams across design, merchandising, technical design, and sourcing to deliver brand-right assortments within margin goals. Oversaw fabric, yarn, and trim R&D and drove alignment across a newly assembled team relocated from Irvine to Boston.
Apparel Designer, Private Label Division (the Lisa Bayne Label) at Artful Home
November 1, 2024 - October 23, 2025
Managed full-cycle seasonal design development for the Lisa Bayne label in close collaboration with the VP of design and product. Steered concept creation, silhouette development, and exclusive textile and print design aligned with brand vision and market trends. Headed all trend research, inspiration boards, and technical line drawings throughout the development calendar. Partnered with technical design on fit execution, sourced globally for unique fabrics, and worked cross-functionally with LA-based teams to deliver cohesive, elevated collections for both catalog and e-commerce. Guided a freelance designer for 1+ years.
Design Director at Habitat Clothing
November 1, 2021 - October 23, 2025
Directed the aesthetic and strategic design vision for the Habitat brand, resulting in elevated seasonal collections and sustained sales growth. Launched an effective handoff process for design and technical design across all brands. Championed trend forecasting, fabric innovation, and the development of exclusive prints, colors, and silhouettes aligned with brand identity. Revamped cross-functional collaboration by introducing streamlined processes between design and technical design teams. Curated and maintained comprehensive design libraries to enhance efficiency and ensure consistency across all divisions.
Design Director at The Life is Good Company
August 3, 2009 - October 18, 2019
Managed the seasonal design process from concept to final product, aligning with brand vision under the VP of design and product. Translated global trends into customer-focused designs that drove profitability across a wide range of categories, including apparel, accessories, home goods, and sleepwear. Mentored and developed a design team of 10, including interns, and 1-2 freelancers, fostering collaboration across cross-functional departments to ensure seamless execution. Directed seasonal color, fabric, and silhouette development, presenting design direction to internal and external teams. Led design libraries and cross-functional collaboration to support line integrity during leadership transitions.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Apparel Design at Rhode Island School of Design
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
Intensive BFA program grounded in creative exploration, design process, and craftsmanship - the foundation of my expressive, detail-driven approach to design.

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Professional Services, Other, Consumer Goods, Wholesale & Distribution
    paper Lesley Potter work examples
    This file represents a variety of work I have created for Women's Apparel featuring excerpts from my Creative Process, Bestsellers I have designed as well as Color, Print, Silo and Fabric mood board examples I have curated…