Creative and commercially driven Senior Fashion & Graphic Designer based in Cape Town with extensive experience across end-to-end fashion design, graphics, production planning, sourcing, merchandising, and garment development. Delivering trend-forward collections for leading South African retailers and performance brands, while balancing creativity with product performance. Known for strong leadership and structured workflow coordination—from concept and technical development to sampling, costing, QA, and shoot sample selection—across ladieswear, kidswear, swimwear, corporate wear, sleepwear, and performance apparel.…

Alma Ellis

Creative and commercially driven Senior Fashion & Graphic Designer based in Cape Town with extensive experience across end-to-end fashion design, graphics, production planning, sourcing, merchandising, and garment development. Delivering trend-forward collections for leading South African retailers and performance brands, while balancing creativity with product performance. Known for strong leadership and structured workflow coordination—from concept and technical development to sampling, costing, QA, and shoot sample selection—across ladieswear, kidswear, swimwear, corporate wear, sleepwear, and performance apparel.…

Available to hire

Creative and commercially driven Senior Fashion & Graphic Designer based in Cape Town with extensive experience across end-to-end fashion design, graphics, production planning, sourcing, merchandising, and garment development. Delivering trend-forward collections for leading South African retailers and performance brands, while balancing creativity with product performance.

Known for strong leadership and structured workflow coordination—from concept and technical development to sampling, costing, QA, and shoot sample selection—across ladieswear, kidswear, swimwear, corporate wear, sleepwear, and performance apparel.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Advanced
Afrikaans
Advanced

Work Experience

Senior Fashion Designer at Truworths
July 1, 2021 - Present
Senior designer with graphic design responsibilities across multiple fashion divisions. Designed kidswear ranges for Earthchild, Naartjie, Max & Mia, and developed ladies maternity dresses, basics, smart casual dresses, and shirts. Created corporate jackets and Zeta dress collections, and managed Ginger Mary full range development including intimate wear collections. Responsible for garment costing and sample coordination, and planned and coordinated all shoot samples from initial briefing through final selection. Coordinated design output with production workflow and ensured quality alignment for retail delivery.
Design Room Manager & Senior Designer at Beaches Clothing
July 1, 2019 - August 1, 2021
Managed the design room and coordinated workflow between the design and sample teams. Designed swimwear and casual beachwear for Foschini and TWS. Developed fashion sets including crop tops and racerback vests, and designed sublimated tights for Mr Price. Managed QA processes for local and imported garments, overseeing merchandising, production planning, and garment costing. Coordinated production planning for Mr Price merchandise 9 and 1 Designs – Paarl.
Senior Designer & Merchandiser at 9 & 1 Designs – Paarl
August 1, 2018 - July 1, 2019
Designed casual dresses for Truworths and casual garments for Pick n Pay Clothing. Managed garment QA for imported and local products. Worked in pattern making, merchandising, and fabric coordination. Conducted garment costing and supported store merchandising for retail delivery.
Senior Designer & Graphics Specialist at Influence Clothing
May 1, 2016 - August 1, 2018
Senior designer and graphic designer for merchandise, accessories, and corporate clients. Developed ladieswear, menswear, and kidswear ranges for OTG Performance Brands. Managed the sample room and supported production planning processes. Created merchandise for major events including the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Amashova, and supported online merchandise campaigns and branded collections.
Senior Garment & Range Designer at More Sports (Capestorm / First Ascent / OTG)
April 1, 2015 - May 1, 2016
Led design for Capestorm ladieswear, menswear, and kidswear ranges. Delivered selective collections for First Ascent and OTG. Developed all-over prints, placement graphics, and branding concepts. Produced commercial performance apparel aligned with brand identity and retail expectations.
Sourcing Specialist / International Sourcing Agent Designer at ISA International Sourcing Agency
November 1, 2014 - March 1, 2015
Designed trims and accessories for fashion collections. Managed sourcing of trims and accessories and introduced new concepts and product ideas to clients. Assisted with marketing initiatives and supported import costing.
Designer Level 2 at TFG Foschini Group
April 1, 2007 - September 1, 2014
Worked across multiple divisions within the Foschini Group, contributing to design, development, and production functions. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to help deliver commercial fashion ranges.
ISSA Clothing Designer & Head of Production at ISSA Clothing
December 1, 2006 - March 1, 2007
Managed production and design processes. Designed apparel for Maties Clothing and County Fair office staff. Oversaw garment development and production coordination to support delivery timelines.

Education

International Fashion & Graphic Design Qualification (City & Guilds London accredited) at Elizabeth Galloway Fashion Academy
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2006

Qualifications

International Fashion & Graphic Design Qualification (City & Guilds London accredited) - Average achievement 87%
January 1, 2006 - August 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Retail, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing

Skills

Experience Level