I'm a seasoned product designer and creative director with 20+ years of experience in product development and manufacturing. I’ve led design efforts for multiple companies, spanning womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, and hard goods. I have experience building brands from the ground up. I excel at turning consumer insights into cohesive design language and marketable product lines, coordinating development calendars, and mentoring cross-functional teams to deliver results. I thrive on collaborating with merchandising, product development, and production partners to align design with business goals. My background ranges from high-level brand direction to hands-on design and technical fabrication, and I’m skilled at PLM systems, overseas sourcing, and regulatory compliance, always aiming for products that perform in the field and resonate with customers.

Rachel Asimakopoulos

I'm a seasoned product designer and creative director with 20+ years of experience in product development and manufacturing. I’ve led design efforts for multiple companies, spanning womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, and hard goods. I have experience building brands from the ground up. I excel at turning consumer insights into cohesive design language and marketable product lines, coordinating development calendars, and mentoring cross-functional teams to deliver results. I thrive on collaborating with merchandising, product development, and production partners to align design with business goals. My background ranges from high-level brand direction to hands-on design and technical fabrication, and I’m skilled at PLM systems, overseas sourcing, and regulatory compliance, always aiming for products that perform in the field and resonate with customers.

Available to hire

I’m a seasoned product designer and creative director with 20+ years of experience in product development and manufacturing. I’ve led design efforts for multiple companies, spanning womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, accessories, and hard goods. I have experience building brands from the ground up. I excel at turning consumer insights into cohesive design language and marketable product lines, coordinating development calendars, and mentoring cross-functional teams to deliver results.

I thrive on collaborating with merchandising, product development, and production partners to align design with business goals. My background ranges from high-level brand direction to hands-on design and technical fabrication, and I’m skilled at PLM systems, overseas sourcing, and regulatory compliance, always aiming for products that perform in the field and resonate with customers.

See more

Work Experience

Lead Designer – REI Travel Product Line at Recreational Equipment Inc., Kent, WA
August 1, 2014 - July 1, 2016
Led direction for the REI private label travel line, including Women’s Wear, Men’s Wear, Children’s Wear and Gear products. Responsible for $35M+ in product. Part of a small team to build 5 new brands redefining the REI Private Label business. Collaborated with Consumer Insights to establish the REI travel design platform and design language. Directed travel design team, overseeing development calendar, process creation/implementation, and personnel management. Researched travel-specific technology drivers for materials and product features.
Design Manager/Senior Designer/Designer – Women’s and Young Men’s Sportswear, Women’s Yoga, & Children’s Wear at REI
October 1, 2007 - June 15, 2016
Led and set direction for REI private label Women’s Sportswear, Young Men’s Sportswear, Women’s Yoga, and Children’s Wear lines. Responsible for $80M+ in product. Managed hiring, training, and direction of Assistant Designers, Designers, and Senior Designers. Crafted seasonal brand initiatives, fabric and color direction, and managed Print/Pattern/Graphic artwork. Conducted overseas travel for competitive shopping, trade shows, and vendor visits. Researched new fabric and trim technologies; served as Subject Matter Expert for Enovia PLM; helped establish SOPs, roles, and seasonal timelines. Created trend-driven color palettes, season/size class collections, and style specs; partnered with Developers for fit approvals; led seasonal buy meetings; ensured CPSIA compliance for children’s wear; contributed to Alvanon fit standards adoption.
Freelance Designer at The Julie Worthington Group, Seattle, WA
January 1, 2004 - September 1, 2007
Provided color stories, mood boards, basic line sketches, call-out sketches, artwork, measurement and construction details for multiple licensed lines including Mr. Mouth (Boy’s/Young Men’s fashion), Ocean Pacific (Girls/Junior’s licensing for Wal-Mart), and Lee Jeans (Men’s product for JC Penney).
Designer/Ass. Designer/Colorist – Boys/Girls/Layette/Baby at Nordstrom Product Group, Seattle, WA
June 1, 2002 - July 1, 2007
Led Boys/Girls/Layette product lines from concept to final product; managed product teams including Assistant Designer, CAD Artist, and Technical Designer; supported Baby product lines from concept to final product; assisted Girls Knit Designer; oversaw lab dip and bulk fabric approvals for Nordstrom Baby and Girls.
Owner/Designer at RAW Designz/Feeling Ophelia, Seattle, WA
December 31, 1998 - December 31, 2001
Owner/Designer of Women’s Contemporary/Bridal line, responsible for concept development, design direction, and collection execution.

Education

Professional Certification – Fashion Design at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - Los Angeles, CA
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 1998
Bachelor of Arts – English Literature/History at Western Washington University - Bellingham, WA
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1996

Qualifications

REI Leadership Award Nominee/Recipient
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013
Fashion Design Program Advisory Board Member
January 1, 2010 - January 20, 2026

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services