Vivienne Austin

Experience

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  Liz Claiborne

  Jan 1997 - Sept 1999

  Senior designer-freelance

  Designed active line from concept, colour and fabric selection through to specs, fitting samples through to pre-production. Communicated with and sourced fabric both overseas and domestically. Shopped European and domestic market for trends

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  A H Schreiber

  Jan 1999 - Sept 2004

  Design Director

  Redefined the brand, increasing sales from $3m to $6m within three years. Target audience 18-45 yr. old. The product catered for large size women. From design concept, colour and print selection through to fit sample and final production proto. Liaised with print houses to develop unique prints for this category. Sourced fabric and trims. Collection sold throughout the US in department stores and independent boutiques. Created private label programmes for J C Penney, May Co, and Lane Bryant. Collection exhibited at Miami and New York Swimwear Trade Shows. Show less

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  V Rising

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2009

  Freelance Consultant

  A design manager skilled in the development of product in the women’s market incl: swimwear, beachwear, active wear, as well as; casual wear and accessories (for men and women), from concept through to final fit pre production sealed samples. Ability to follow critical paths and adhere to budget constraints. Available for employment immediately and willing to travel.

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  Liberty's of London

  Jan 2004 - Dec 2006

  Freelance design consultant

  Luxury Swimwear Design consultant for Liberty department store own ‘designer’ brand swimwear collection. Target audience 18-35 yr. old. Sourced fabric and trim. Liase with European suppliers and factories. Responsible for developing product line from concept thru to specs and final pre production fit samples.

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  London Center for Fashion Studies

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Visiting lecturer

  Visiting lecture at LCFS affiliated with Middlesex University

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  Sea Sirens

  May 2005 - Dec 2011

  Director

  Vivienne Austin’s eponymous ready-to-wear brand has previously retailed worldwide for over a decade and garnered wide international public and press acclaim with features in Elle (UK and US), The Face, ID and W as well as numerous trade publications including WGSN, WWD and International Textiles. Next to running her own brand, Vivienne has also been head designer at several ready-to-wear and sportswear companies in the UK and in the USA. During the last ten years, Vivienne’s design talents and innate understanding of the female body have captured the attention of the swimwear market segment. Vivienne has created swimwear/Active wear collections for an array of established companies ranging from large distribution groups, such as Sara Lee and Liz Claiborne in the USA, to exclusive high-end labels including the currently re-branding British heritage brand Liberty. Show less

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  London Apparel

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Freelance Consultant/Lecturer

  Lecturer for pilot ‘Concept 2 Catwalk’ fast track industry course for fashion design graduates and new businesses.One on one mentoring programme set up, to advise fashion graduates on portfolio deportment, and C.V presentation to gain employment in the UK and US fashion industries.

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  Courtaulds for Marks and Spencer

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2007

  Design Manager- swimwear

  Design consultant responsible for developing swim and beach wear products for Marks and Spencer, women’s and children’s. Research market trends, source fabric and trim suppliers globally. Liaise with sampling team in UK and China. Responsibilities incl; managing design and support staff.

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  Pure Deep Expression

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  Creative Director

  Responsible for overall look and implementation of collection, including hiring, briefing and managing designers, web designers, sourcing factories and suppliers as well as involvement in branding i.e., look book and launch party as well as hiring of PR company.

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  Soboye

  Jan 2010 - Dec 2013

  Consultant

  Working in an advisory capacity in all aspects of development of women's scarves and home wares. From range planning, pricing structure, as well as sourcing materials and production facilities, and hiring international agents. I also develop all electronic media packs for agents and planned events.

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  Potassium

  Jan 2010 - Apr 2012

  Consultant/Design Manager

  Design collection, including sourcing suppliers and manufacturers and developing product line for this ethical, incl. Spec packs and all sourcing and presentation work. Freelance buying consultant for other product lines sold in the London store.

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  Biba

  Jul 2010 - Aug 2010

  Freelance Design Consultant

  Designed two collections for S/S 2011 for this iconic brand. Researched fabric and trims sources, developed colour and print direction as well as spec packages for the manufacturers.

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  University of the Arts, London College of Fashion

  Sept 2011 - Jan 2013

  MA in Fashion Futures

  This course has been enlightening and rewarding, and has opened up a new universe of knowledge and a different approach to thinking and working. This is the beginning of a new journey in fashion for me. Having been in the industry for 20 years it was an eye-opener to learn about the business practices and dirty secrets that are prevalent throughout manufacturing on a global scale. I now want to be part of the change.

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  People Tree

  Jan 2012 - Mar 2012

  QC Assistant

  Three-month internship with this ethical fair trade company. Liaising with the production manager and other team members, responsible for checking specification sheets against samples to red flag production issues.

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  Roksanda Illincic

  Jan 2013 - Mar 2013

  Production Assistant

  Two-month internship in the production department of this leading London fashion designer. Liaising with production manager and other team members as well as visiting factories within the London postcode to ensure the production expectation are adhered to.

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  Regents College London

  Apr 2013 - Jun 2013

  Visiting Lecturer

  Textiles for Fashion II (10 week introduction to textiles module)

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  Nicola Donati

  Sept 2014 - Dec 2015

  Studio Manager

  Handling the HNW client database for one of London's 'best kept secrets'. Responsibilities include booking appointments, managing the work flow for the master tailors and seamstresses in the atelier as well as assisting on fittings with Mr Donati. Involved in developing and broadening the business strategy by introducing new products and services to this well respected tailor. Instrumental in progressing all the social and printed media output.

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  London College for Design & Fashion

  Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

  Senior Design Lecturer

  Visiting lecturer delivering a variety of teaching modules from trend boards, sketch book, design development, business, costings, marketing and sales. Evaluating students learning abilities and customizing the teaching approach accordingly. Ensuring time is allocated for 1:1 tutorials during the course, to monitor and support each individual students needs.

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  Blaze Creative Consultancy

  Feb 2016 - Mar 2019

  Co-Founder

  BCC was founded as a direct response to the co-founders Vivienne Austin and Marie Loney and their collective experience to disrupt the clothing industry from an ethical standpoint. The DNA of Blaze brings together the characteristics of the co-founders that embodies a creative vision for the contemporary clothing market. Fusing their combined experience in ready to wear (Men’s and Women’s), knitwear, swimwear, athleisure, performance sport with the development in science, technology and sustainability. Show less

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  Fashion Angel

  Feb 2016 - Jul 2023

  Business Mentor

  Fashion Angel is a fashion industry support service offering business mentoring, events and access to funding, to fashion start-ups and established fashion business entrepreneurs.

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  Cherchez La Femme the brand

  Mar 2021 - Feb 2024

  Founder

  Cherchez La Femme is a make-on-demand accessory and clothing brand that addresses both social and environmental issues in unique ways. For example, we donate a portion of every purchase to the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, a non-profit organization working to end sex trafficking, while also using sustainable and certified organic materials in our apparel. Additionally, our on-demand production model eliminates surplus and waste, further reducing the environmental impact of traditional fashion production. Show less

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  Scarlet Destiny

  Oct 2022 - now

  Founder

  Reimagine accessories 🚀 Reconfigure future treasures to adorn your existing wardrobe 🤖 Recalibrate your future™ with evergreen non-binary accessories. To launch 2024.