Today we are featuring Global Design Specialist Joanne Swift. Why the title of "Global Design Specialist"? Read on to learn about her amazing background and expertise...and why we are so excited!!
Joanne has joined Inside Fashion Design Connect as a workshop leader to share her knowledge and provide insights into the design process for our community- Join us to meet her and learn from her wealth of knowledge!
Joanne is highly educated and experienced. With a BA & MA in Fine Arts and Textiles Design & over 20 years of experience in the Fashion industry in Europe, Asia, and the US markets. Her work experience includes DKNY, Lee Jeans VF, Seven for Mankind, Bongo, as well as many others. AND she teaches Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Merchanding at different schools throughout Asia and Europe.
If that isn't enough, Joanne also runs her own Design Agency, Cicero Design, with offices in both Shanghai and LA. Joanne speaks 4 languages including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Italian & English! WHEW!!! How does she do it all??
So what specific industry skills qualify her as a Design Specialist?
Executive Leadership skills & time management coordination
A Cross-Functional collaborator, team ordinated mindset, creative thinker
Extensive experience with third-party manufacturers and suppliers
Finds solutions to keep within the client's budget without compromising quality
Develops and creates trend concepts, creative ideas, textile art, branding materials, logos, labeling, packaging, and arranging photo shoots
Building and organizing creative departments, establishing Design teams, R&D units, and Product management groups
Creates and delivers sales presentations to buying offices in Asia US and Europe
Guest speaker for international trade shows/ Fashion Institutions, and brands
Experienced in CLO 3D, Ai, PS, ID, Microsoft word/excel/Teams/Google G-suits
Works in the product categories of Denim /Athleisure/Sports/Swim Wear/Casual wear/ Soft Goods/Accessories both Men’s and Women’s/kids/Unisex
Check out some of Joanne's work:
What will Joanne be sharing with us??
The 360-Degree Design Process: A 4-Part Workshop Series
In this series, attendees will get an overview of the environment in the fashion industry from a social and sustainable point of view, gaining an understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic values of the product process, from a full 360-point process. Take a look at how each process has an impact on the other from creation/fiber creation/production placing/pricing negotiations/ QC to delivery
Workshop Topics:
Fashion Production & Product Creation: Overview of the production team's journey from design to production.
Fabrics Fibres, Yarns, and Textiles: Gain insight into the origin & properties of fibers characteristics of manmade and natural fibers brief transition from fibers to yarns.
Product Development, Planning, and Marketing: Gain an understanding of various stages of the product lifecycle
Manufacturing Processes: Artisanal vs Industrial/ Global vs Local. Consider collection plans and technical files; pattern making; spec sheet + prototypes + samples + final collection production pack
Achieving Sustainable quality: – Productions Standards, pertinent importance of quality, and commercial balance procedures
Supply Base and Supply Chain Management what is a supply chain what does supply chain management entail challenges to be tackled, and what strategies for understanding various distribution networks
What are the Key Takeaways you will gain from this series?
Adopt the correct mindset for effective leadership.
Demonstrate an awareness of connections between social theories in the new market context and the opportunities of sustainable fashion in future brand development;
Understand the basic elements of textiles and materials necessary to craft a fashion product and analyze production processes;
Analyze marketing communication strategies applied within the fashion business context
Understand the role of the buyers and their importance within the fashion industry
Adopt key business principles and understand the development of business strategies
"I have spent more than half my life studying and working in Asia as an Innovative, creative, and accomplished entrepreneur, with over 20 years of experience in the full design and production process. I am highly knowledgeable in the design requirements for various markets, having acquired extensive experience in fabrication, design conception, and full design process, working for both the brands and the manufacturing side. I have excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to evaluate customers' needs and provide total individualized service. Experienced and capable of handling the complete product creation process, technical specs, patterns,
sampling, and price negations to production, and logistics. Working closely with OEM and ODM suppliers and factories in China and Southeast Asia. Now residing in Los Angeles full time to further learn and develop within the creative community". Joanne Swift
To reach Joanne directly for inquiries, reach out to her at:
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