C    A    R    R    I    E         R    O    S    S    M    A    N

SUMMARY

Highly creative design professional, ranging from European designer runway to Asian contemporary vertical retail.
Organized manager who takes full responsibility for entire design process from concept to product.  Leader and team
player who identifies opportunity and implements improvement and growth through innovative, analytical, and
resourceful thinking.  Entrepreneurial self-starter with strong work ethic and high taste level who thrives on challenge.
Strong interest in business development for the emerging Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern markets.   

EXPERIENCE

Concept and Design Development: Women's Apparel - Consultant
Sarah Lord Concept, New York, NY, 2007 - 2009
Partner with owner to develop design concept and brand identity for start up vertical and internet retailer.

• Worked with a team of 3 to develop and refine product concept, market strategy, and retail store concept
• Market research, design and sketching, graphic design
• Fashion illustration and concept presentation design

Senior Designer: Women's Apparel - Fulltime
Vivienne Tam, New York, NY, 2008
Design and development for women's designer collection.

• Lead a design team of 4 and sample room of 8 in design, patterning, and sampling of Spring and Summer 2009 deliveries
• Created color palettes, selected fabrics, created design and mood boards for Fall 2009
• Partnered with sales to refine line plans and assortments for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2009 deliveries

Brand Positioning, Design Direction, Product Development, Styling: Women's and Men's Apparel - Consultant
Mainland Chinese Domestic Market Companies, Mainland China and New York, 2006 - 2008
Zuoan Rive Gauche, Zhongshan and Beijing, China
Worked directly with owner to create cohesive brand image and tightly merchandised collections for a Chinese
contemporary men's vertical retailer with 238 stores and approximately 500 employees.

• Provided creative vision and direction for a design and development team of 10
• Oversaw the revision of commercial collection of 150 pieces for a better assortment and product improvement
• Oversaw the creation of new collection of  200 pieces for Beijing Fashion Week to promote strong brand identity
• Collections consisted of denim, wovens, cut-and-sew knits, sweater knits, leather, and accessories
• Researched Chinese domestic market; textile and trim sourcing in Guangzhou and Beijing
• Oversaw pattern and sample room of 28, interfaced with production, merchandising, and marketing
• Conducted design meetings and reviews, approved samples, conducted fittings
• Production design, styling, and casting for 2 runway shows: buyers show of 37 exits in Xiamen, and press show of 50 exits during Beijing Fashion Week

Jane Shang Studio, Beijing, China
Designed and developed women's collection for Chinese domestic market. 

• Directed team of 8 in design and sampling of  25 piece collection
• Researched Chinese domestic market; sourced fabrics and trim in Beijing
• Collection consisted of wovens, cut-and-sew knits, sweater knits
• Presented collection at annual Fashion Trade Fair in Dalian, China

Cabbeen, New York, NY
Stylist for Chinese contemporary men's runway show for A/W 08 NY Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park. 

• Vertical retailer with 300 stores in mainland China
• First mainland Chinese designer brand to show during NY Fashion Week

Omnialuo, New York, NY
Stylist for Chinese designer women's runway show for S/S 09 NY Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

• Designer level vertical retailer with 245 stores in mainland China

Creative Director, CEO: Women's Apparel and Accessories - Fulltime
Carrie Rossman Collection S.A.R.L., Paris, France, 1998 - 2004
Founded French LLC and set creative direction for Paris based women's designer runway collection.

• Responsible for the design and production 7 collections with 20 to 50 pieces each
• Collections consisted of  wovens, cut-and-sew knits, sweater knits, leather, alternative materials
• Designed and produced corresponding accessories: footwear, handbags, and jewelry
• Market and trend research in Paris, London, NYC, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, and Yokohama
• Set seasonal inspiration concepts, color palettes, and graphics design
• Sourced fabric and trims at Premiere Vision, developed jacquards and plain weaves
• Managed calendar planning, purchasing and costing
• Sketched, draped, created patterns, technical drawings and specs
• Led a creative team of 2, managed exterior specialty designers and patternmakers
• Oversaw product development in France, Japan, Italy and the United States
• Managed in-house and exterior sample production, conducted fittings
• Managed sales, sold to specialty stores in London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo
• Produced 5 runway shows presented during Paris Fashion Week, location scouting and procurement, model casting
• Managed press relations and marketing including all press materials and illustrations
• Interfaced with lawyers, accountants; responsible for banking, budgets, accounts payable and receivable, shipping

Design Direction, Product Development: Women's Footwear - Consultant
Dela Corporation - Klaren Strauss, Tokyo, Japan, 2001 - 2003
Directed design for Italian produced Japanese women's designer footwear label.

• Created collection concepts, designs, and color palettes 
• Conducted market research in Tokyo, Paris, and Florence
• Sourced skins, fabrics, trims, hardware, and components at Linea Pelle, Bologna
• Sourced lasts and heels in Marche
• Worked with Italian production, Civitanova-Marche

Designer: Women's Apparel - Fulltime 
Jeremy Scott Paris, Paris France, 1997 - 1998
Assisted design direction for Paris based women's designer runway collection.

• Sourced fabric and trims at Premiere Vision
• Draped, created patterns, conducted fittings, and produced samples
• Worked with wovens, cut-and-sew knits, leather, fur, and sweater knits
• Assisted castings and production of 3 runway shows presented during Paris Fashion Week

INTERNSHIPS

Geoffrey Beene, New York, NY, 1995, 6 months: Worked directly with Mr. Beene and Alber Elbaz on S/S 1996
collection, assisted fittings, sketched designs for accessory licensee
Marc Jacobs Collection, New York, NY, 1994, 6 months: Fall 1994 collection research, prepared color and fabric
stories for Japanese licensee
Adrienne Vittadini, New York, NY, 1993, 6 months: Assisted designers, created sweater graphs

EXHIBITIONS

Contemporary Art Museum, Denver, CO, 2004: Konstruktsia
Musee Galliera, Paris, France, 2002: Modes A Suivre
The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York, NY, 2001- 2002: Extreme Beauty: The Body Transformed
Huitieme Courant D'art, Deauville, France, 2001: Made in Mode
Va Sara, Tokyo, Japan, 1999: Collaboration

AWARDS

French Ministry of Culture, Paris, France, 1999: Prix L’Andam

EDUCATION   

Studio Bercot, Paris, France, 1997
Fashion design, illustration, styling - independent study

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
BFA with Highest Honors, Fashion Design, May 1996
Charles Pratt and National Talent Search Scholar

SKILLS

French - Fluent
Italian – Conversant/Intermediate
Mandarin Chinese - Beginner
Illustrator and Photoshop - Working Knowledge