Aakriti Jain

Dynamic Fashion Design Manager with 12+ years of experience leading design, product development, merchandising, sourcing, and production operations for leading international and domestic apparel brands. Proven expertise in developing commercially successful collections across women's wear and kids wear in woven and knit categories. Strong background in trend forecasting, buyer management, costing, vendor development, sourcing, range planning, sample development, production coordination, and factory operations.

Experienced in managing cross-functional teams, optimizing product development timelines, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring on-time delivery while maintaining quality standards. Key strengths include strategic design leadership, buyer relationship management, product commercialization, factory coordination, sourcing management, and business development.

DESIGN MANAGER - Urban Kala Enterprises

(2025-08)

• Lead end-to-end design and product development for women's wear and kidswear across woven and knit categories.
• Drive seasonal collection planning, trend research, range development, and commercial product strategies.
• Manage merchandising activities from product development through bulk production and final shipment.
• Lead sourcing of fabrics, trims, embellishments, and vendor negotiations to achieve target costing.
• Coordinate with buyers, suppliers, production, quality, and sourcing teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Oversee sampling, fit approvals, PP approvals, fabric approvals, and bulk production readiness.
• Monitor factory operations, production capacity, workflow efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international buyers.
• Lead showroom presentations and buyer meetings.
• Brands Handled: Truworth, Ange, Bewakoof, Nykaa Fashion, Myntra, 2Tall

SENIOR DESIGNER - Richa Global Pvt. Ltd.

(2017-05 - 2020-07)

• Led product development and design execution for major US and European brands.
• Collaborated directly with buyers on seasonal collections and trend direction.
• Managed fabric sourcing, costing, sampling, and design commercialization.
• Represented the organization during buyer meetings in USA and UK.
• Brands Handled: Ann Taylor, Loft, Tory Burch, Talbots, Marks & Spencer, American Eagle, J.Jill, Chicos, Superdry, J.Crew, Target, Zara and others.

SENIOR DESIGNER - Daks India

(2016-03 - 2017-05)

• Managed design development, trend research, sourcing, and buyer presentations.
• Executed product ranges for international women's wear and kidswear brands.

DESIGNER - Sunlord Apparels Pvt. Ltd.

(2015-01 - 2016-02)

• Developed seasonal collections and coordinated product development activities.
• Worked closely with buyers and production teams to ensure successful execution.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER - Orient Craft Ltd.

(2013-06 - 2015-01)

• Supported design development, sampling, sourcing, and buyer presentations for international accounts.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Fashion Design - Pearl Academy (2009 - 2013)