Katja Neumann CV

Personal Details
Katja Neumann, Voigtstrasse 1, 20257 Hamburg, Germany
+49 160 9099 6449 | [email protected]
Profile
Creative fashion designer and product developper with a distinct entrepreneurial
thinking. Providing a profound and international expertise in terms of product, project
and brand management. Versed in designing menswear and womenswear alike.
Hands-on person with strong communication and organisation skills.
Areas of Expertise
• 14 years of experience in design and product development for both brand and
retail-driven companies
• Product Management: Profound knowledge of strategy, coordination and
implementation of a textile product
• Project Management: Expertise in analysing, evaluating and optimising of
design-related processes and structures
• Brand Management: strong ability to define brand DNA, interpret brand requirements
and create designs that pinpoint the needs of the target market
• Excellent understanding of the garment design and manufacturing process: from the
garment conceptualization stage through the designing phase, to the allocation of the
final garment
• Strong trend, fashion and color sense combined with the ability to create and adapt
designs to changing market conditions
• Profound expertise in clothing engineering (pattern development, manufacturing
techniques, treatments, fitting)
• Creativity combined with entrepreneurial thinking
• Distinct organisational skills, flexible and hands-on
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Work Experience
07.2012 - present
Freelance Fashion Designer & Product Developer | KNcncpt. Hamburg, Germany
Fashion Design, Product Development, Consulting
08.2011 - 06.2012
Sabbatical
• Voluntary Service Franziskus Animal Shelter
• Stay of several months in London to deepen linguistic knowledge
08.2010 -07.2011
Design Manager / Product Developer | Jack & Jones Premium
Bestseller A/S, Brande, Denmark
• Responsible for global conception of 10 collections, 4 trend & colour themes per year
according to brand’s annual collection plan (collection size and price segmentation)
• Responsible for defining and implementing Brand DNA into product range and lifestyle
specifications
• Analysis and evaluation of sales quantities, markets, competitors and target groups
• Briefing and managing of design team
• Creative briefing of buyers and suppliers, external designers
• Monthly trend and product presentations
• Planning and developing of product assortments according to specific shop concepts
07.2006 - 06.2010
Head of Design | Dickies Europe
Williamson-Dickies Mfg. Co, Hamburg, Germany
• Responsible for development of collection strategy in terms of size, price
segmentation and direction of collection for entire europe
• Conception and implementation of 4 collections and colour themes per year
• Close collaboration with Brand Management and Marketing to syncronize Brand DNA
between product range and communication strategy
• Analysis and evaluation of sales quantities, markets, competitors and target groups
• Trend / Fabric Research Worldwide (store checks, fairs, magazines, wgsn.com etc.)
• Briefing and managing of design and graphic team
• Organisation und realisation of Collaborations ( i.a. with Stüssy, Rebel 8, Alife NYC)
• Monitoring of quality standards, target prices and deadlines during sampling process
• Production Trips to: Portugal, Turkey, HK, China, Korea, India, Indonesia
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04.2004 - 06.2006
Head of Design | Dickies Northern Europe
Williamson-Dickies Mfg. Co, Hamburg, Germany
06.2002 - 03.2004
Designer | Dickies Northern Europe
Scooter GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
01.2000 - 04.2002
Designer | Tom Tailor Girls
Tom Tailor Sportswear GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
03.1998 - 12.1999
Design Assistant | Tom Tailor Girls
Tom Tailor Sportswear GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
07.1990 - 02.1991
Sales Assistant
ESPRIT, Münster, Germany
Education
03.1991 - 05.1997
B.A. in Fashion Design
University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Germany
08.1987 - 06.1990
Master Craftsman Certificate in Tailoring
Werther International Mode GmbH / Lodenfrey, Bielefeld, Germany
08.1978 - 06.1987
High School Diploma (Abitur)
Mariengymnasium, Warendorf, Germany
Other Skills
• German (Native Speaker)
• English (Fluently)
• French & Danish (Basic Skills)
• Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop CS5, Bridge (Advanced Skills)
• Microsoft Office & iWork (Advanced Skills)
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