Benja Ellis

Experience

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  PHNX

  Jan 2000 - Sept 2013

  Artist, Blogger, Curator, Stylist, Designer

  Self-starting creative discipline that led to a variety of valuable experiences. Created, edited and provided content to an online zine (Bag Lunch) that covered local Alaskan and out-of-state cultural news. Self-published comics. Painter and muralist. Performer. Vocalist. Dancer in two Bay Area dance troupes. Published author.

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  Kalani

  Mar 2006 - Jul 2008

  Art Coordinator and Manager

  Developed and coordinated community art events, with participation in each of over 30 creators from a variety of fields. Marketing efforts covered the entire Big Island of Hawai'i and online via web, email and social media. Shows were attended by hundreds and covered by local press.As Manager of the House Keeping Department, there was a rotating staff of up to 25 to maintain workshop facilities and guest lodging. Guests numbered up to 300 and workshops required different services; being quick and adaptable was extremely important. . Show less

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  Academy of Art University

  Jan 2013 - Dec 2016

  Student

  2016 winner of the California Fashion Fund Scholarship. Selected to represent AAU at NYFW, showing an original, sustainably-minded collection on the official NYFW schedule. Press coverage included one of my looks being selected as representative of upcoming color trends.Development of personal aesthetic and brand. Fabric Rendering. Fashion Illustrations. Technical Illustrations. Tech Packs. Construction and Tailoring. Fabric sourcing, manipulation and treatments. Textile Design.

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  The North Face

  Jun 2015 - Sept 2015

  Outerwear Design Intern

  Assisted with the research and development of the S/S 2017 Outerwear design inspiration and direction. Researched and presented data on environmental issues and eco-friendly manufacturing options. Illustrated construction details. Created a capsule collection of Men's Outerwear garments. Researched construction techniques. Referenced iconic TNF styles. Sourced technical fabrications. Fashion illustrations. Generated tech pack and technical illustrations.

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  Nicopanda

  Oct 2016 - Feb 2017

  Fashion Design Intern

  Assisting with NICOPANDA's FW17 and SS18 collections with original designs, sample production, pattern making, technical illustrations and BOM's. I worked with materials such as faux fur, neoprene, lace, quilted and technical fabrics to create samples that were the outlines for a number of garments.I also reorganized NP's work and showroom spaces to create a more efficient work environment.

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  Gypsy Sport

  Jan 2017 - Feb 2017

  Design and P.R. Intern Assistant

  I came on to assist in the extensive street casting process for Gypsy Sport's FW17 NYFW show, which led to working on the collection itself. I used my skills in appliqué, hand-finishing and garment construction to work on several garments in the collection. On the day of the show I assisted in keeping models organised, with dressing and in the lineup of the show. I also performed last minute alterations and finishes.

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  ALIEN.ELEVEN

  Mar 2017 - now

  Creative Director and 3D Fashion Designer

  Creative Director and Founder of ALIEN.ELEVEN, a first-of-its-kind fiscally sponsored fashion label that is dedicated to beautiful, ethical clothing that celebrates the body, the spirit and our connections to each other. Ben has collaborated with a lengthy list of other Bay Area fashion labels, such as The Taylor Jay Collection, The Young Vets, Jeaja and Uniiiformed.Hit the link below to learn more!

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  Gypsy Sport NY

  May 2017 - Jul 2018

  Fashion Designer

  Working with creative director Rio Uribe and an international team on designing and producing the Gypsy Sport SS2018, FW2018 collections. The underlying ethos of Gypsy Sport are inclusivity, body positivity and empowerment.Through research and development I created unique and ethical textiles and effects. I hand-wove strips of repurposed materials to create one-of-a-kind sustainable textiles. These textiles were used in a number of garments featured on New York & Paris Fashion Week runways, and editorials in a host of magazines. I also specialized in hand-appliqueing found objects to different garments that became some of the most requested by stylists.The garments I created for Gypsy Sport were featured in magazines such as LOVE, I-D, Vogue, Cakeboy and Made in Brazil. My work also made the covers of Re-Edition and Dazed Korea magazines. Show less

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  Five and Diamond

  Mar 2018 - now

  As Haus Manager for SF Indie stalwart Five and Diamond, my duty umbrella begins with fostering an impactful, empathic boutique experience focusing on personal customer service, styling, merchandising. event coordination and engagement. Five and Diamond is a niche label with its corporate headquarters located out of state. As the California lead, I take on multiple overlapping responsibilities that require a positive state of mind and efficient multi-tasking of projects and management.I foster an inclusive and nourishing environment for all body expressions, types and racial backgrounds. I direct and coach my team on the industry at large and this brand’s exceptional place within it; always with an intention of fostering their talents and goals in tandem with the brand's growth and sustainability. My skills as a visual merchandiser are put to use in crafting an aesthetic that attracts new clients and sales daily; my ability to provide empathic service helps drive repeat sales and my creative thinking provides new footholds within the marketplace via fresh events, community collaborations, innovative editorials and profitable fashion designs.As a clothing designer, my collaborative line with 5&D has proven profitable and popular, heralding 2023's best selling design. Show less

  • Haus Manager

    Oct 2022 - now

  • Front of Haus Manager

    Mar 2018 - Jun 2023
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  Academy of Art University

  Jan 2019 - Jun 2021

  Instructor

  Instructor of Fashion Design for both Men's and Women's Fashion, both hand-on and via CAD: CLO3D, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. My focus lies in facilitating the professional skills needed in the fashion industry. From relevant vocabulary to helping students discover their own point of view and being confident in it.My specialty at AAU is currently in CAD; I have written curriculum for the CLO3D class and am proud to be involved in the growing 3D Fashion community. I am in regular contact with CLO representatives and was grateful to hear that 'AAU is producing some of the most talented 3D designers currently in the U.S.' I am proud of my students and what they are accomplishing. Show less

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  California College of the Arts

  Aug 2023 - now

  Adjunct Professor

  Recruited by the fashion department at the esteemed California College of the Arts; I have been brought on as an instructor of Fashion Construction, Design and Textile Design. I work with students at all levels of their educational paths, the overall intent the facilitation of individual points of view in tandem with teaching industry-level skills in construction, design and parlance.The position requires dissemination of, updating and collaborating curriculum that works within the larger degree program. I manage ongoing projects and work with an array of skill levels, backgrounds and languages to result in increased proficiency, confidence and readiness in my students. A number of students have told me that my classes are some of their favorites; I am always honored to hear this response, and take any critiques of my class seriously and use them constantly improve my own abilities and the course(s) itself.I hold students to a high standard that is particular to each of them, assessing their skills and adapting assignments in order to push each of them to find new levels of their best.As an instructor, I brought expertise in textile design and incorporated it into the curriculum. Creating custom textiles with the students that they used in their projects reinforced engagement and prompted many of them to continue exploring adapting their fabrics for assignments for the entire semester. I developed curriculum, acted as a design consult for senior collections and worked with other instructors on forwarding the fashion program on its professional and creative fronts. Show less