Kelli R. Williams
Arvada
Summary
23 years of progressively responsible experience in Product Development and as a Technical Designer working with major manufacturing companies in a variety of product categories.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Developer
The North Face
Denver
08.2017 - Current
- Leading partner in the development of Youth - Teen – Outerwear/Sportwear/Performance/Logo
- Leading partner in the development of Mountain Essentials Men’s Outerwear and key franchise styles.
- Recommended materials and construction techniques to align with design expectations and support gross margin targets for Mountain Essentials and Sportswear (Men’s/Women’s/Plus): Outerwear, Fleece, Woven Bottoms.
- Ensure execution of fit intent and fit consistency.
- Work in V-stitcher 3D software to create prototype patterns
- Contributed to Plus Size Task Force Team for Mountain Essentials Outerwear/Sportswear and coordinated Fit Model activities to enhance fit and inclusivity.
- Partnered with Product and Material Sourcing and manufacturers to develop innovative materials, construction techniques, and processes for new samples.
- TNF Cultural Inclusion Product Subcommittee Member
- Chair and Founder - ACE Diversity – VF Employee Resource Group
- Providing resources for ethnically diverse people throughout the organization by encouraging an inclusive culture, providing opportunities for connection and development of all VF employees
Freelance Product Developer-Fit Specialist
The North Face
Alameda
04.2017 - 08.2017
- Supported Sr. Fit Specialist during live model fittings to ensure accurate fit adjustments.
- Developed detailed fit comments to guide pattern corrections and construction.
- Oversaw outerwear product categories, including men's and women's snowsports and Olympic collections, to align with market trends.
Associate Product Development Manager – Boys
Old Navy
San Francisco
02.2016 - 04.2017
- Developed products meeting aesthetic, quality, and cost requirements across woven, outerwear, bottoms, denim, and lounge categories.
- Built and delivered a line with Design, meeting Merchandising & Production requirements in line with class and departmental financial goals.
- Collaborated in seasonal fabric meetings to provide input and recommendations, enhancing product performance and addressing challenges.
- Updated bill of materials to ensure production accuracy, facilitating timely costing and placement.
- Knowledge of Manufacturing (trade regulations, testing protocol, product integrity) Fabric construction (mill timelines, fabric properties) Garment production (production cycle timeline, garment construction and garment costing)
Women’s Technical Designer: Woven Bottoms, Fleece and Intimates
Old Navy
San Francisco
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Created fit and pattern blocks for Old Navy Woven Women Bottoms, contributing to successful development of the 'Pixie Pant'.
- Actively managed an average of 70 styles, including: Woven Bottoms-woven and knit pants, shorts and skirts. Fleece-pants/joggers, shorts, skirts, tops and tech jackets. Intimates-woven and knit sleep/lounge pants, shorts, tops and underwear.
- Led fittings to oversee fit, garment details, and construction on live models, ensuring alignment with design standards.
- Executed detailed fit comments to overseas vendors, clarifying pattern corrections and construction standards to enhance quality and strengthen vendor relationships during overseas travel.
Girls Technical Designer- Performance Activewear, Fleece and Graphics
Old Navy
San Francisco
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Developed compression specs and established block to base fit parameters for quality assurance and product integrity.
- Analyzed fit, construction, and fabric to ensure product quality standards.
- Conducted competitive shopping to evaluate product fit and construction against market trends.
Associate Technical Designer - Plus Size: Activewear, Fleece, Intimates, Graphics and Woven Skirts
Old Navy
San Francisco
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Conducted fittings on live model to refine fit and garment construction details.
- Prepared pattern correction fit comments to ensure accurate representation of plus size blocks and sizing.
- Assisted in the launch of the Old Navy Online Customer reviews as a Fit Expert and reviewed plus size products online to give feedback from a fit perspective.
Assistant Garment Development-Technical Designer
Archetype Solutions Inc.
Emeryville
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Conducted fit clinics to develop base patterns for different body shapes for Men and Women.
- Assisted senior staff in all aspects of company product programming development for mass customization productions.
- Customer service representative to address client customer issues.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design
California College of Arts
San Francisco, CA01-2003
Print Making and Textile Design
Kokrobitey Institute
Accra, Ghana01-2001
Fashion Theory and Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RIVisual Arts - Painting and Sculpture
School of the Arts(SOTA) High School
San Francisco, CASkills
- Pattern making
- Fit evaluation
- Garment construction
- Pattern making software (Gerber/Browzwear)
- Design collaboration
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Illustrator
- Database management
Certificates - Awards
- Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, 01/01/10, 12/31/10, Extended Education-Computerized Patternmaking (Gerber) and Computers for Textiles
- Gap Inc., Leadership, Training and Personal Development Courses, Situational Self Leadership, Presentation Skills, Political Savvy, Merchant 'Youniversity': Fabric Construction & Costing: Denim, Woven and Sweaters
- Cotton Inc. Workshops, San Francisco, CA, Knitting Fundamentals, Fabric Finishing
- Browzwear / VStitcher, Training in 3D Fashion Design Software
Timeline
Technical Developer
The North Face
08.2017 - Current
Freelance Product Developer-Fit Specialist
The North Face
04.2017 - 08.2017
Associate Product Development Manager – Boys
Old Navy
02.2016 - 04.2017
Women’s Technical Designer: Woven Bottoms, Fleece and Intimates
Old Navy
01.2012 - 01.2016
Girls Technical Designer- Performance Activewear, Fleece and Graphics
Old Navy
01.2010 - 01.2012
Associate Technical Designer - Plus Size: Activewear, Fleece, Intimates, Graphics and Woven Skirts
Old Navy
01.2007 - 01.2010
Assistant Garment Development-Technical Designer
Archetype Solutions Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Fashion Design
California College of Arts
Print Making and Textile Design
Kokrobitey Institute
Fashion Theory and Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Visual Arts - Painting and Sculpture
School of the Arts(SOTA) High School