Grace Lee

FASHION DESIGNER/TECHNICAL DESIGNER with over 20 years of experiences in the fashion industry with extensive knowledge of taking product from design concept through production to create marketable innovative merchandise. Adept at reducing product cost and cutting production lead times through proactive fit approvals and reduce sample rounds. Improve company sales growth by ensuring superior garment quality and high customer satisfaction.

Technical Designer (Intimate Apparel) at Torrid LLC (2022-07 – 2026-05)

• Create and manage 50+ detailed tech packs per season in PLM.
• Responsible for ensuring the fit, quality, and construction of garments from initial concept through production.
• Lead weekly fit sessions on live models.
• Evaluate pre-production samples and recommend pattern corrections to vendors to seal production approvals.
• Provide graded nests to ensure consistency with brand fit blocks and construction guidelines.
• Maintain organize samples, records of tech specs, fit history, and sample approvals.
• Manage sample receivings and preparing for next day fittings.
• Work closely with PD team to track and maintain approval deadlines.
• Attend weekly meeting with teams to review work in progress best and worst sellers and discuss updates.

Technical Designer (Activewear and Dresses) at Avalon Apparel (2019-08 – 2022-07)

• Create tech pack and released to factory with sew-by sample.
• Lead weekly fittings and identify necessary fit corrections.
• Manage sample receivings and preparing for next day fittings.
• Released grading specs & fit comments to factories.
• Sending samples to buyer for review & following-up.
• Work closely with PD team to track and maintain approval deadlines.

Freelance Technical Designer (Sweater Knits & Dresses) at Teeberry & Weave (2017-09 – 2019-08)

• Create tech pack.
• Responsible for ensuring the fit, quality, and construction of garments from initial concept through production.
• Lead weekly fit sessions on live models and identify necessary fit corrections.
• Evaluate pre-production samples and recommend pattern corrections to vendors to seal production approvals.
• Provide graded nests to ensure consistency with brand fit blocks and construction guidelines.

Technical Designer (Kids Clothing) at Idol Inc. (2012 – 2017)

• Create and manage 50+ detailed tech packs per season.
• Work closely with Designers to develop the fit, measurements, and specifications for prototype samples.
• Review proto samples against tech packs to ensure accuracy in measurements, construction, and design intent.
• Conduct fit sessions on live models and evaluate garments fit to factory.
• Establish garment specifications and construction requirements that align with brand standards.
• Organize and manage workflow based on delivery timelines and calendars.

Product Developer (Legwear) at Soxnet (2008 – 2012)

• Create PO's, negotiate prices for new and existing styles.
• Monitoring production status and delivery dates.
• Update WIP report daily.
• Managed to solve production related problems and follow-up with vendors as needed.
• Review sample and lab dip submits with Designer.

Associate Designer (Contemporary Missy Dresses) at BCBG (2005 – 2007)

• Work closely with Head Designer on design developments.
• Follow-up samples with pattern maker and sewers.
• Design artwork & embroidery layout and send to oversea factory.
• Prepare samples for fit meetings.
• Create tech pack and released to factory.
• Review sample color and lab dip submits with Designer.

Associate Designer (Contemporary Dresses/Sportswear) at GALA inc (2001 – 2005)

• Work closely with the Head Designer on all design developments.
• Fully responsible for entire product design process including line-sheets, cost-sheets, and trend researching.
• Source fabric, trims, and embellishments.
• Send out sample testing on denim washes and other embellishment.
• Prepare design technical package to send to oversea vendors.
• Manage the sample development process and ensure seasonal deadlines are met.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE in FASHION DESIGN – FIDM (FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN & MERCHANDISING)