Nicole Westra

Director of Design and Product Development @Live Comfortably, LLC

New York, NY, US

Identify white space opportunities within the market, develop brand and product solutions to fill these spaces -Analyze sales data and competitive shopping information to implement data-driven product assortments -Direct design and product development for licensed brand product: Fieldcrest, Waverly, Johnathan Adler, and Umbra, ensuring the aesthetics of the brands’ identity are maintained throughout the process-Forecast emerging trends and color palettes to creating seasonal design guidelines relevant to the market that inspires the design team-Launched FIELDCREST brand at JCPenney -Present product lines, merchandising plans, planograms and innovative design concepts to key retail partners and internal leadership-Lead a team of five designers and CAD artists in creating manufacturable print, woven, and embroidery artwork-Collaborate with graphic team to present new packaging and visual display concepts -Coordinate the sales, product development, and graphic teams to create cohesive customer presentations -Implemented a design work in progress (W.I.P) process and biweekly meeting to maintain deadlines and budgets-Collaborate with retailers\' internal product development teams to create private brand product at target price points -Work in conjunctions with international offices to maintain development and production time, as well as time-action calendar-Travel overseas multiple times a year to work directly with manufacturers in sourcing, developing and producing end-product-Placed yearly and biyearly programs with Costco USA and Mexico exceeding the retailer’s sale goals

Fashion Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Home Products Development and Marketing

Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York

Associate, Applied Science, Textile Development and Marketing