EDUCATION

Fashion Graphics June 2004

The New School at Parsons, New York, NY 

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising December 2003

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, Alexandria, VA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Fashion

Assistant Professor • August 2017 - present

The Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising, VCUarts, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Production Manager/Consultant • September 2000 - present

esses, Brooklyn, NY

·       Co-founded, designs, and directs product for jewelry, hard goods company

·       Directed collaboration with Helmut Lang and Grey Area, and fab.com

·       Sold and negotiated purchase orders for retail accounts

·       Created logos, linesheets, and branding

·       Created e-commerce site for company

·       Stockists: Grey Area, Helmut Lang, American Rag, Need Supply Co., The New Museum

Consultant • September 2015

Utmost, Richmond, VA

·       Consults on product and line development

Stylist / Lifestyle Consultant • July 2010 - July 2012

High Prospect, Alexandria, VA

·       Created lifestyle and fashion consulting company for young adults ranging from middle school to college post graduates and their parents

·       Assisted clients to enhance the client’s aesthetics to their internal self through probing, communication, and personal savvy

·       Services included personal styling, knowledge of importance of grooming and etiquette, cultural inspiration, and closet consultations

Store Manager • August 2009 - August 2011

Need Supply Co., Richmond, VA

·       Managed mens & womens clothing store, employees and inventory

·       Worked closely with web business team, including product and model shoots

·       Executed buying and assortment planning

·       Concepted, directed and executed branding and marketing events

·       Met daily with owners and stakeholders regarding store and web goals

·       Voted “Top 100 Places in the World to Buy Denim” by Nylon Magazine & named “One of the Best 25 Stores for Men” by GQ Magazine

Co-Owner • May 2007 - May 2010

Henry, Richmond, VA

·       Planned, designed, and opened mens & womens streetwear/sneaker store

·       Executed buying and assortment planning

·       Attended MAGIC, Project, Pool, Agenda trade shows

·       Concepted, directed, and executed branding and marketing events

·       Designed graphics for logos, flyers, and shop apparel

·       Collaborated with hip-hop artists Wale, Raekwon, and others

·       Led project with the Valentine Richmond History Center to develop a limited clothing line with launch party

·       Featured on Complex Magazine website and in Richmond-Times Dispatch, Style Weekly

Designer • September 2007 - September 2008

Sons of Washington, Richmond, VA

·       Co-founded and designed a Washington Redskins themed apparel company

·       Developed creative direction, lines, linesheets, logos, artwork, graphics

·       Executed marketing plans and sales strategies

Assistant Designer / Marketing • September 2004 - September 2006

Triple 5 Soul, Brooklyn, NY

·       Created and designed graphics for logos, clothing, techpacks, linesheets, and CADs

·       Developed product with internal and external designers, merchandisers, and coordinators

·       Executed product placement for (limited): Vogue Magazine, Vibe Magazine, The Source Magazine, The Fader Magazine, Paramount Studios, MTV,   and VH1

·       Organized and assisted marketing event, Rocksteady Reunion

·       Planned, executed, and launched “Define Your Soul” campaign

·       Gathered marketing research through focus groups

Contributing Artist • December 2003

Sneakerpimps, International

·       Contributing artist for traveling, worldwide, custom sneaker exhibit

Backstage Production Manager • September 2003

WOW!Works, Richmond, VA

·       Managed backstage for the grand opening fashion show for Short Pump Town Center

·       Setup dressing room, coordinated with models, dressers, designers, caterers and other partners to ensure a flawlessly executed production

Co-Founder/Designer • August 1999 - December 2003

Standard Issue Clothing, Richmond, VA

·       Co-founded and designed for urban clothing company

·       Developed creative direction, logos, graphics, linesheets, concepts

·       Executed marketing events and branding

Assistant Production Manager • February 2000

O.R.F.I. (Organization for Returning Fashion Interest), New York, NY

·       Created model sheets for dresses

·       Selected garments

·       Prepared and sent invitations to guests

·       Dressed models for show

Technology

Assistant Store Manager/Buyer • July 2014 - present

RamTech, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

·       Oversees daily operations, strategic planning, outreach, buying, and team development

·       Facilitates classes and workshops for students, faculty and staff

·       Leads marketing events and planning

·       Manages inventory, develops open-to-buy and strategic assortment plans

·       Utilizes eVA, Banner, and Works for receiving, reconciliation, and procurement purposes

Business Specialist/Trainer • July 2012 - July 2014

Apple, Inc. Philadelphia, PA & McLean, VA

·       Provided complex, innovative business-to-business solutions for business customers

·       Led store team of 130 people to generate new leads and build relationships via phone, e-mail and face-to-face briefings and events

·       Led workshops and one-to-one classes for customers

·       Served as a mentor and facilitated core classes for new hires

·       Effectively communicated with internal and external customers to find the best solutions

Promotion and Events

DJ/Music Supervisor • September 2000 - present

DJ Rudy Lopez/Rudeboi, Richmond, VA

·       Hired to deejay and organize different events, parties, and residencies

·       Promoted and executed events with press releases, press packages, designed posters and flyers, selected music, DJs and other talent, venues and themes

·       Provided music, music coordination and supervision for (limted): Red Bull, VCU Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, RVA Magazine, International Hospital for Children and various venues/events

Organizer •  2016 - present

Heroes Run Motorcycle Ride and Gathering

·       Organizes annual motorcycle ride and gathering to benefit children’s pediatric cancer organization, Connor’s Heroes

·       Promoted and executed event with press releases, press packages, posters and flyers,

brand apparel, selected bands and other performers

·       Manages social media presence through Facebook and Instagram

·       Organizes marketing events and community presence

·       Raised over $25K towards pediatric cancer and cancer research

Associate Score Producer •  2016

Small Crimes (movie, completed) 2017

·       Talent scout and producer for recording of movie score

Organizer •  April 2016

Go-Go Rules the Night – A Go-Go Globe Poster Exhibit, Richmond, VA

·       Organized and executed art show from concept to opening night

·       Curated and selected pieces for the show

·       Installed show including pieces and additional visuals

·       Selected talent to compliment show experience

·       Created press releases and marketing materials

Event Coordinator •  March 2016

Sneakfrique, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

·       Co-organizer of one day conference showcasing streetwear fashion and culture

·       Outreach and booking of keynote speakers and lecturers

·       Created press releases and marketing materials

·       Created social media marketing collateral

·       Co-managed social media presence

Keyboardist/Promoter • August 1998 - August 2001

Infectious Organisms, Richmond, VA

·       Keyboardist for live hip-hop band, Infectious Organisms

·       Composed and arranged music for live and studio work

·       Distributed press and promotional packages

·       Planned road tours, bookings, product placement, and public relations

·       Performed with (limited): Black Eyed Peas, Outkast, The Roots, Run-DMC, Mos Def, and Hieroglyphics

TEACHING & MENTORING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor • August 2017 - present

The Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising, VCUarts, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Juror, Fashion Branding • Spring 2016

The Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Reviewed and critiqued rebranding of existing fashion entities including oral presentations, visuals, designs, and linesheets

·       Offered feedback and direction of successes and opportunities

Trainer/Facilitator, Appy Hour • Fall/Spring 2014, 2015, 2016

RamTech, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Led monthly workshops for tech related topics for students, faculty and staff

·       Topics included Smartphone Photography, Google Drive, iOS, Windows, and various app overviews

·       Attendance up to 40 people

Juror, Line Development • Fall 2014

The Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Reviewed and critiqued fashion tech line incorporating VCU’s new tartan design including oral presentations, visuals, designs, and linesheets

·       Offered feedback and direction of successes and opportunities

·       Conferred with fellow jurors on top group and line

Contributor, Fashion Marketing Curriculum Revision Project / Fall 2014

Virginia Department of Education

·       Selected to review and revise the current Virginia high school fashion marketing curriculum with other fashion and industry experts

·       Offered direction and consulting for the upcoming curriculum

Trainer/Mentor, Fall/Winter 2012, 2013, 2014

Apple Retail, Apple, Inc., Ardmore, PA, Tysons Corner, VA

·       Selected to lead and mentor team of 10 within a store team of 160 members

·       Coached and supported their development through touch base conversations and meetings

·       Led and facilitated business workshops within the store to business-to-business customers

·       Led and facilitated tech workshops within the store to customers

·       Served as a One-to-One trainer for customers within the program and educate on topics such as Getting Started On Your Mac, Getting Started On Your iPad, iCloud, and apps such as iPhoto, Garage Band, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and professional apps Final Cut Pro and Aperture.

Music Advisor, Advanced Show Production / Spring 2009, 2010

The Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Consulted and advised Advanced Show Production class with music supervision and coordination for VCU Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising Fashion Show.

·       Discussed importance of music and its appropriate relationship with the theme of each segment.

·       Edited and produced each track for each segment

·       Managed execution of music for each segment for the fashion show

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

“Finding Success as an Apple Campus Store,” Campus Market Expo (CAMEX), Houston, TX, March 2015.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Trainer/Facilitator • Fall and Spring 2014, 2015, 2016

Appy Hour by RamTech, Virginia Commonwealth University

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Council Member, Campus Computer Resellers Alliance (CCRA) 2016

TECHNICAL SKILLS

·       Adobe Creative Suite

·       Apple iOS Certified Technician and Trainer

·       Windows OS, Mac OS