Lina Nakanishi
Apparel Design Professional
Paris
Summary
SUMMARY: Detail-oriented and results-focused professional with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. Skilled in both creative and technical design, with a solid working background in both woven and knit products. Demonstrated success in collaborating with multiple brands to deliver exceptional designs. Fluent in English and Japanese, enabling effective communication across diverse cultural contexts.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Founder/Creative Director
Maison Lilli IG : @MAISONLILLI
Paris
05.2023 - Current
- Developed and executed comprehensive business plan to establish and grow successful clothing brand.
- Oversaw all aspects of operations, including design, production, marketing, sales, and website. Demonstrated ability to conceptualize unique ideas for photoshoots that align with brand's identity : https://www.instagram.com/maison_lilli/
- Successfully launched Spring Summer 2024 collection while maintaining high-quality standards in materials and craftsmanship.
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends
Senior Technical Designer
SUPREME
New York, NY
06.2012 - 06.2022
- Responsible mainly for all woven categories (Outwears, Shirts and Bottoms) as well as cut & sew knits.
- Worked closely with designers for collaboration projects with various brands including commes des garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Lacoste, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stone Island, Nike, Pucci, UNDERCOVER, Vanson, North Face, Schott NYC, Dickies, Timberland, Brooks Brothers, WTAPS, Barbour, Alpha Industries, South 2 West 8, Champion, and Levis.
- Created basic blocks patterns, associated specs, grading in Excel, technical packages and sketches in Adobe Illustrator with construction details and sewing instructions.
- Prepared for fittings by measuring samples to be fit, cross-examining design details against tech packs or previous fit samples to ensure previous comments have been corrected, bringing previous fits to fit session for review if needed.
- Executed fit comments with detailed photo comments in timely manner to ensure fit process stays in line with production and action timelines while partnering with production team.
- Communicated with collaborators and vendors to finalize fitting and construction details from prototype to TOP sample stage.
- Approved fit and garment construction from prototype to top of production and checked quality of product.
- Attended weekly design meetings to review samples for fit and design.
Creative Design/Technical Design Consultant
Independent
New York, NY
08.2009 - 12.2013
- Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery for various clients/brands including: Roller Rabbit, Roberta Freymann, Martha Stewart ( for pet clothing) Anthropologie, Jordache, ROGAN, Loomstate, Georgette New York, 2(x)ist Activewear, Shirt by Shirt, Studio 33, Body Touch Lingerie, EMD Apparel, Yummie Tummie, and Objet D'art
- Created technical packages and sketches using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Excel
- Generated specs for self-created designs and completed detailed technical packages, create seasonal presentation boards, perform market research, communicate with domestic/overseas factories to provide necessary clarification, and resolve any problems.
- Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationship for future business opportunities.
Senior Designer
Calypso Christiane Celle -St. Barth Inc
New York, NY
08.2004 - 06.2008
- Designed and managed the entire girls (age 2-12) collection; led to over one hundred percent increase in annual sales.
- Worked closely with design director to maintain the women's collection and conveyed all design information clearly.
- Oversaw team of technical designer, patternmaker, associate designer, design assistant, and interns.
- Researched design embellishments and created embroidery/beading layouts, mood boards, sketches and flats.
- Followed production calendar; met all deadlines in timely manner.
- Created initial technical packages in excel specs.
- Developed prints including, designing, re-coloring and editing in Photoshop.
- Analyzed weekly sales report with merchandisers.
- Presented line to CEO and sales team.
- Communicated with overseas/domestic factories.
- Approved lab-dips, embroidery mock-ups, prints and all bulk swatches.
- Oversaw fittings and supervised technical designers and patternmakers.
- Prepared line sheet for wholesale show including sketches and color chips.
Assistant Technical Designer
GJM USA Luen Thai Inc
New York, NY
07.2002 - 07.2004
- Created initial design tech packs in PDM (including flats, creating specs, trim and construction details).
- Drew flat/technical sketches in Micrografix Designer.
- Communicated with merchandisers and overseas factories.
- Edited designs for clients: Victoria's Secret, Dillard's, J'Lo, K-mart, Walmart, Target, and Federated.
- Attended fitting and fit comments & pattern corrections.
- Checked graded patterns.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
Parsons School of Design
New York, NY 09.1998 - 05.2002
Associate of Applied Science - English
St. Margaret's College
Tokyo, Japan 04.1996 - 03.1998
Skills
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Word, Outlook, PDM, and MicrografixPatternmakingDrapingSewingGrading
Fit Block Development
Fashion IllustratingEmbroideringHand-knittingTech Packs
Timeline
Founder/Creative Director
Maison Lilli IG : @MAISONLILLI
05.2023 - Current
Senior Technical Designer
SUPREME
06.2012 - 06.2022
Creative Design/Technical Design Consultant
Independent
08.2009 - 12.2013
Senior Designer
Calypso Christiane Celle -St. Barth Inc
08.2004 - 06.2008
Assistant Technical Designer
GJM USA Luen Thai Inc
07.2002 - 07.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
Parsons School of Design
09.1998 - 05.2002
Associate of Applied Science - English
St. Margaret's College
04.1996 - 03.1998