Yilei Qian

Junior Sweaters Assistant Designer at RDG GLOBAL (2022-12 – Present)

• Research into market trends to design and develop seasonal lines of off-price and major department stores under S/VP, contributing to doubling foreign and domestic sales across several accounts in the past year
• Design work including creating jacquard/intarsia layouts, sketching, tech packs, attending fittings, knitdown approvals, color approvals, and yarn/trim sourcing
• Organizational tasks including creating backup tech sheets and updating seasonal line sheets and communicating with factories to get samples to meet market deadlines
• Work closely with production, sales, and CAD teams in production process to deliver on successful orders and maintain brand quality

Part-Time Crochet Instructor at Lately Cafe (2025-10 – Present)

• Teaching workshops of various crochet techniques across several experience levels

Freelance Knitwear Designer at Oscar De La Renta/Monse (2024-11 – Present)

• Assist designer in designing and recreating knit fabrics
• Crochet garment for campaign shoot
• Work with lead designer and team to meet project deadlines

Freelance Design Assistant at Katherine Simone (2024-08 – 2024-09)

• Assist designer in draping and creating new silhouettes
• Redesign and alter traditional kimonos for a western market
• Spec new garments and create CADs/Tech Packs

Fashion Intern at Anna Sui (2024-01 – 2024-05)

• Assist sample room team with garment and pattern alterations
• Assist in sample-making and errands around the Garment District
• Assist with model fittings, creating CADS, and sourcing trims
• Research and assist in creating moodboards and fabric boards

Freelance Designer/Technical Designer at Alpha Industries (2022-11 – 2024-01)

Design, spec, patternmaking/grading of jackets. Repurposed from overstock jackets.

• Collaborate with brand owner/team on optimizing product look, functionality, and fit
• Lead team to produce 120 jackets for product launches
• Manage team and communicate with brand owner on deadlines and specifics to drive successful and efficient completion of 3 brand collaborations

Design/Patternmaking Assistant at Rotell (2023-02 – 2023-10)

• Assist designer in draping and creating new silhouettes
• Spec garments and create CADs/Tech Packs for production
• Draft patterns for new garments and alter based on customer measurements
• Cut and sew prototype samples for fittings/production

Fashion Designer at Bloomingdale's (2022-07 – 2022-08)

• Coordinated with Bloomingdales window design team to conceptualize display for their 150th anniversary
• Designed a modern look inspired by the Bloomingdales' vintage Calvin Klein Barbie in accordance with Bloomingdales' updated brand identity
• Draped/Patterned, fitted, and sewed garments for display

Bachelors of Fine Arts in Knitwear Fashion – Fashion Institute of Technology (2022 – 2024)

Associates of Applied Science in Fashion Design – Fashion Institute of Technology (2020 – 2022)